‘It is not like this everywhere’: Dylan Murphy embraces move to Michigan

Dylan Murphy doesn’t have much experience with college basketball, but he knows a thing or two about Michigan. That’s because he’s coached so many former Wolverines during his time with the Orlando Magic.

During his stints in the NBA and the G League, Murphy has worked with Franz Wagner, Moe Wagner, DJ Wilson, Ignas Brazdeikis, Zavier Simpson, Jon Teske, Jett Howard, and Caleb Houstan.

“I think you see every player that comes out of Michigan just knows how to play basketball,” Murphy said on Defend the Block. “You know, it stood out immediately.”

Those connections made Murphy interested in the Michigan job when the opportunity popped up, but his immediate connection with Mike Boynton Jr. convinced him it was the right spot.

“I didn’t know Coach Boynton at all before this process,” he said. “And then in our first conversation, I just felt like we clicked. And just in terms of the way he sees basketball, the way he sees building an environment.

“Obviously the positivity and joy that he brings to the gym, his knowledge of the game, it just felt like we were a match. And then obviously the university as well. Sometimes you just get that feeling that this is going to be a really good move.”

Murphy has been a head coach in the G League for the last few seasons, and brings an unusual blend of experience to the table. Despite his limited college background, he thinks the modern game in college and the NBA tracks similarly. The style of offense that Michigan runs fits nicely into his comfort zone.

“I think stylistically the games are a lot more similar than people give credit for in terms of the actions that are run on both ends of the floor,” he said. “Obviously, the lack of defensive 3 seconds, closer 3-point line creates some different spacing issues versus the NBA. But principles of play, I think, are very similar.

“Here at Michigan and what Coach May did and what Coach Boynton is doing, very NBA, similar to the NBA stylistically. So I think in that sense, it’s made the transition a lot more comfortable for me and just excited to just bring whatever I can to everybody.”