. Steve Murphy is the only member of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans coaching team not to have played in the NRL in fact Steve Murphy is a former Australian touch football representative, a sport well removed from the hard hitting sport of collision that is Rugby League.
On a daily basis Murphy works along side Coach John Cartwright, himself a Rugby League Premiership winner, State of Origin representative and Kangaroo tourist, Queensland State of Origin legend Trevor Gillmeister (Assistant Coach) and one time State of Origin representative and NRL premiership winner Scott Sattler in an assistant coaching capacity.
When he`s not taking drills with the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans or analysing opposition play and finding tactical weaknesses in the lead up to another crucial NRL encounter, you`ll find Steve Murphy at Palm Beach Currumbin High school where he is employed as a full time science and physical education teacher.
A caring family man, Steve is also a footy tragic and he`ll tell anyone who cares to listen that "Rugby League is the greatest game of all" he`s also been known to text team mates with a simple message " 3 days til kick off" or " not long now"
Steve says the biggest challenge has been juggling his teaching, the NRL and family life but says he would not give it up for anything.
"I go into the Titans office most mornings before school for a few hours to study tapes of the other teams and try give the boys an edge heading into the next game", he said. "I`m away with the squad most weekends, to be honest I don`t know how the family put up with me, but they know I love it and I make sure I am there and involved as much as I can be."
Steve`s wife Renee is a Queensland touch football representative and so both appreciates and understands her husband`s commitment and dedication.
There will be a big change in the Murphy household come November 1 this year as Steve takes a years leave of absence from teaching to take on the full-time position as Titans under-20s head coach, he`ll also maintain his assistant coaching duties with the senior side.
"Were all very excited about the under 20`s competition and I am looking forward to taking some of my own ideas along with what I have learnt from working alongside Carty (John Cartwright) and putting together what we feel will be a very exciting young Gold Coast team."
"He is a real man of integrity, what he says is what he feels and for him to give me the opportunity to work with him I jumped at the chance.``
"I`m also very aware that to build a successful football team we need happy and fulfilled players on the books and that means making sure that the balance between study and training is just right. We have the right people in place to make sure that they are fit, well and ready to go... it`s now up to me to prove myself in the coaching arena, but whatever happens one thing is for sure, I`ll give it my all and have a great time doing it.
