If Craig Counsell Leaves: Promote Pat Murphy

Craig Counsell’s status for 2024 has become the Milwaukee Brewers best-kept secret this season. Both Counsell and the Brewers have worked diligently to make sure that the contract talks haven’t become a distraction. Most recently, Counsell opted to pause the negotiations to focus on the rest of the season. The ongoing dilemma that Counsell is reportedly facing is not money but spending more time with family. If Counsell leaves the team, bench coach Pat Murphy is the obvious choice to takeover as the next Brewers manager.

Craig Counsell’s Dilemma

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Craig Counsell’s contract expires at the end of this season. The dilemma on whether to come back or not isn’t about money but spending more time with family. He has two sons who are both going to be playing college baseball at Minnesota and Michigan respectively. Counsell also has a daughter entering high school. Some believe that Counsell is leaning toward taking next year off to spend time with his family.

If Counsell Leaves, Pat Murphy Should Be Hired

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If Counsell doesn’t return in 2024, the person most qualified to be the next manager is bench coach Pat Murphy. Murphy has been on Counsell’s coaching staff since the 2016 season. Murphy has coached many of the players on the current roster for multiple seasons and is beloved in the clubhouse. He’s even filled as the acting manager occasionally. This means that the team would be able to have continuity with the current coaching staff and familiarity wouldn’t be an issue for the players.

Pat Murphy Was A Successful College Coach

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Prior to coaching in Major League Baseball, Pat Murphy was a successful division one college head coach from 1988-2009. He was the head coach at both Notre Dame and Arizona State going 947-400-2. He even coached Craig Counsell during the current Brewers skipper’s playing days at Notre Dame.

Murphy Has Managed Both In The Minor And Major Leagues As Well

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Murphy broke into the big leagues in 2010 with the San Diego Padres as a Special Assistant to Baseball Operations. He would also manage in the Padres Minor League system from 2011-2015. After Bud Black was fired, Pat Murphy was named the Padres interim manager. Murphy would help lead San Diego to a record of 42-54 to close out the 2015 season. After that stint, Murphy would join Craig Counsell’s staff where he has been ever since.

Murphy Has Been Interviewed For Managerial Jobs Before

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Since being Counsell’s second in command, Murphy has also been interviewed for other managerial jobs. He was most notably a finalist for the New York Mets job in 2019 before it initially went to Carlos Beltran. Despite opportunities to go elsewhere, Murphy has opted to stay on as the bench coach and be a mentor to Counsell, the players, and other coaches. With everything Murphy has done for the Brewers, he is more then qualified to takeover.

Continuity Is The Best Option If Counsell Leaves

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Given the amount of success the Brewers have had in the past five years, it would be pointless to change the coaching staff. While replacing Craig Counsell isn’t easy, going with the option of continuity is the best route for this team. Pat Murphy is qualified to be a big-league manager and has done the job at the collegiate, minor, and major league levels. He has the respect of the players and his familiarity with the organization will make the transition seamless.

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