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Collegiate Insider: Q & A With Neosho Community College Head Coach Steve Murry

July 23, 2014

Steve Murry is the Head Coach of Neosho Community College (Chanute, KS) He has compiled more than 800 victories during his tenure.CO Runyon Slide 8.3.14

PBR: What advice would you give a prospective student-athlete who sends his recruiting video via email?  

Coach Murry:Make sure the material you send out represents exactly what you want the coach to think of you. In other words- do NOT edit it all over the place and expect us to think you are perfect. Also- be sure there are not annoyances like a lot of wind in the background. Be sure to show all of the skill sets. If you skip fielding- the coach is sure to think you are NOT good in that area. 

PBR: Being a cold weather school, how does this impact you recruiting wise on target guys in warm weather states, such as Florida? 

Coach Murry:We have to convince them to leave the warmth. Basically, we are going to be COLD in January and February but once spring break hits- we are all pretty much the same. 

PBR: What are some advantages a player will have by playing JUCO versus playing at a DI or DII school?  

Coach Murry: Growing up physically and mentally. We can practice unlimited amounts whereas NCAA can only go 20 hrs a week. Also- if you are going to sit at a 4 year, makes sense to get game experience at a JUCO. 

PBR: What are some of the myths you hear or dispel when recruiting a student athlete or in general about playing on at Junior College?  

Coach Murry: That the dumb ones go JUCO. NOT true, in fact, baseball is different, kids go this route to get to play quicker, to improve draft status and to allow themselves to be drafted BEFORE their junior year.  

PBR: What are your thoughts on early commitments (2016 & 2017)?  

Coach Murry: Insane. Athletes change so much in 2 years. Body shape, size, man muscles, speed, mental game, it ALL changes. I honestly disagree with 4 years doing it. If that kid gets hurt his junior year after committing his sophomore year, that 4 year will pull out of that scholarship. It all sounds good, I just think it is wrong. 

PBR:  Have you noticed much of a difference in value on apparel and appearance in recruiting versus in previous decades i.e. 80’s & 90’s?  

Coach Murry: Kids use the word SWAG, but yes, better looking stuff attracts attention. Probably shouldn’t be that way but it is. Nice, shiny things attract attention. It has NOTHING to do with how good a program or coaching is, but it does send out a first impression.

PBR: Your recruiting coordinator comes to you with a Player X outside of his given attributes, What is the first thing you would like to learn about Player X?

Coach Murry: Attitude and character. We will NOT take a hoodlum no matter how good he is. They are NOT worth the trouble or potential trouble especially in a small town like we are situated.

PBR: If your recruiting a player do you check on him via social media and if so what are some things you would see that would be red flags about lifestyle or commitment to baseball?

Coach Murry: Absolutely we do. Red flags come up with racial slurs, sexual slurs, cussing and coach or player bashing. Also look for complainers or people that WHINE on social media. It really does tell you a lot about an athlete.


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