Murphy Grant Leaving Basketball Program

Murphy Grant, who joined the Oklahoma State basketball program five years ago, is leaving OSU to become the head football trainer at the University of Kansas. Grant has been the Cowboys’ basketball trainer for the past five seasons, and also served as the team’s strength and conditioning coach the past two years.

“I’ve always had the goal to become a head athletic trainer at a major Division I school,” said the 31-year-old Grant. “Kansas called me one day and asked me about being the head trainer up there, and never in a million years did I think that I’d get the job. It’s just something that I couldn’t pass up. It’s a great move professionally.”

Grant said that leaving Oklahoma State is going to be difficult for his family – wife Amy and two sons, Jackson and Gavin. “Stillwater and Oklahoma State will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Grant, who arrived at OSU after spending two years as head athletic trainer at Missouri Valley College.

“I’ll always appreciate the support I’ve had since I’ve been here at Oklahoma State,” Grant continued. “I don’t think I would have been in this position if not for the coaches and players. I know that I wouldn’t have gotten this opportunity if not for them and the success they’ve had in winning – the winning help me, as it helps everyone.”

Grant says he’ll never forget entering Gallagher-Iba Arena with the players and coaches prior to the opening tip. “I’m going to remember walking out before every game and getting chills down my spine and goosebumps on my arms,” he said. “Those fans are just unbelievable.”

But Grant says what he’ll miss the most are the Cowboy players and coaches – with whom he had developed more than just a working relationship. “I love those guys,” he says. “I’m a big fans of those kids and the coaching staff, and that’s what makes this so tough. Those guys are just like family.”

Grant relates the story of Marcus Dove, who broke his hip right before the Christmas holiday last December and was not able to return to his home in California. “Marcus spent Christmas with me and my family,” he said. “He couldn’t get up and down the stairs because his hip was broken so I had to carry him up and down the stairs. People don't realize that we really are like family.”