He started by explaining the search committee process: the seven person group formed this summer and, while receiving "numbers" of applications, seriously considered only "about 15" candidates. All the while, the process was kept quiet so as not to take any excitement away from Restic's last season, Cleary said.

Then, with a smile as wide as the Texas Panhandle spreading over his face, Cleary described the Kingston, Mass. native as an "exciting choice," before presenting him to the audience.

Murphy then took center stage and delivered a short speech before opening the floor to questions. During the question-and-answer period, Murphy eschewed specifics but did say he placed a lot of emphasis on winning.

"The game is fun, but it's a hell of a lot more fun when you win," Murphy said.

Murphy then turned to his top priority: recruiting.

"I think these are exciting times," he said. "A few years ago, you could recruit a lot more people. Now you can only recruit 35 in a class and so there are a lot more good players to go around. I hope we can take advantage of that."

Finally, after declining to predict whether he would stay at Harvard for 23 years like Restic did, he closed with similarly vague, but enthusiastic statements, about his offensive philosophy.

"Basically, my philosophy is simple," he said. "I believe that you have to be balanced, you have to be able to both throw and run well or you're in trouble. You definitely have to be able to run up here in the Northeast."

His simple philosophies contrast sharply with the intricacies of Restic's famed Multi-Flex.

"I favor a simple, pro-style offense. The Dallas Cowboys have an offense

TIM MURPHY (32-45-1) Season  College  Record 1987  Maine  8-4 1988  Maine  7-4 1989  Cincinnati  1-9-1 1990  Cincinnati  1-10 1991  Cincinnati  4-7 1992  Cincinnati  3-8 1993  Cincinnati  8-3

.BACKGROUND: Born in Kingston, Mass., an All-American linebacker at Springfield College, graduating in 1977.

.1979-1980: Offensive line coach at Brown.

.1981: Defensive line coach at Lafayette.

.1982-1984: Offensive line coach at Boston University.