Craig Counsell has officially been installed as manager of the Chicago Cubs.
And now it looks like his mentor is ready to replace him as head of the Milwaukee Brewers.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal on Monday night, Pat Murphy is expected to be named the 19th skipper in Brewers history (20th in club history), although the team has not made an official announcement.
Murphy, who turns 65 on Nov. 28, just completed his eighth season on the bench alongside Counsell, his former protégé at the University of Notre Dame.
The news of Murphy taking the reins isn’t entirely surprising when you combine the information that’s been gathered since Counsell unexpectedly left for Milwaukee’s rival a week ago.
The biggest piece of evidence came from Brewers general manager Matt Arnold, who mentioned only Murphy by name when addressing candidates to replace Counsell at the baseball GM meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, last Wednesday.
“We have agreements with all of our coaches,” he said. “And I want to make something clear: Pat Murphy is in a very real discussion about our leadership opportunity.”
In the days that followed, multiple sources confirmed that Arnold and the Brewers had indeed turned their attention to Murphy, with an emphasis on maintaining as much continuity as possible with a team that finished 92-70 and advanced to the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six Years.
However, there were some signs that Milwaukee might instead try to retreat, swap veteran players like Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames and begin a rebuild with the goal of regaining contention down the road.
Murphy is seen as an affable but also matter-of-fact guy in the dugout who helped Counsell with strategic decisions in the game and with player relations in the clubhouse.
If Murphy is indeed the Brewers’ choice and the rest of the coaching staff is all signed and returning, then only Murphy’s former role as backup coach would be left to fill.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if someone younger were appointed to the position, with the idea that that person could learn and grow in the position.
Toronto coach Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers coach Clayton McCullough, Chicago Cubs bench coach Andy Green, Houston coach Troy Snitker and San Diego coach Mike Shildt were all believed to have been considered for the Brewers’ opener, although it is unclear who was actually interviewed.
Murphy takes the job with limited major league managerial experience, having served as the Padres’ interim manager in 2015. He posted a record of 42-54.
He also worked in San Diego’s minor league system and served as head coach of the Division I baseball programs Notre Dame and Arizona State before entering the professional ranks.
After Counsell’s departure, it was assumed that Murphy would end up at Wrigley Field.
Now, however, it will be a matter of teachers and students putting their skills to the test, adding even more spice to the already healthy rivalry between the two National League Central Division foes.