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Former longtime Harvard football coach Tim Murphy said in an interview that the University decision to rename the field at Harvard Stadium as a tribute to him was a “tremendous honor.”

Harvard Athletics first revealed the renaming in an announcement during a timeout at the 140th playing of The Game. In an Instagram post, Harvard Athletics wrote that starting next year the field would be called the Tim Murphy Field at Harvard Stadium.

The announcement came during the second quarter of the game, when Murphy was brought out on the field and shown on the jumbotron as the packed stadium cheered for the beloved coach, who helmed the football team for three decades.

Murphy retired in January 2024 after 30 seasons with Harvard that saw him become the winningest coach in Ivy League history.

For Murphy himself, the decision came as a surprise. Murphy said he “all of a sudden” received a phone call from Athletic Director Erin McDermott and former Harvard quarterback and National Football League player Ryan Fitzpatrick ’05 saying alumni had pushed for the renaming.

“There was a, I don’t know, felt like a five minute pause when I didn’t know what to say,” Murphy said. “Quite frankly, I said: ‘Are you serious?’”

While Murphy said the honor was a “big deal,” he acknowledged that it was not something that he ever thought about.

After the announcement at The Game, Murphy said he heard from many former players who told him that being recruited to Harvard by Murphy had been “life-changing.” Murphy said that, while he’s grateful for the honor for himself, he also appreciates the role these players had in his success.

“I always just want to make sure that people know I share that with the 1,000 young men that we recruited here over those 30 years, I share it with my 70-plus assistant coaches who took the field with me over those 30 years,” Murphy said. “I’m just extraordinarily appreciative for obvious reasons.”

Despite this being Murphy’s first season away from Harvard Stadium, he has still been a presence at Harvard Stadium on many Saturdays, with Murphy returning to appear as a commentator on ESPN+.

Over the course of the season, current Harvard players said it was nice to have Murphy stick around the program.

“It’s great to just have a guy that he's been such an integral part of our program for so long and such a familiar face just still around the program still,” said sophomore defensive back Austin-Jake Guilory.

Harvard’s quarterback Jaden Craig was also happy to see Murphy again at the Princeton game.

“It was great to see him,” Craig said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

“It was just good to have him back and just give him a hug before the game,” Craig added.

With Harvard’s football field now bearing Murphy’s name, Murphy said he wants his legacy to be athletes and alumni being proud of a successful program.

“I just want the student athletes number one to take great pride when they play on a Saturday afternoon, play at Harvard stadium, take great pride in our program,” Murphy said. “We have so much to be proud of.”

—Staff writer Jo B. Lemann can be reached at jo.lemann@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @Jo_Lemann.