Born on March 12, 1932 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Murphy played college football at UBC as a left handed quarterback and defensive back. Murphy then had a short one year career in the CFL as a halfback (offensive and defensive) with the BC Lions in 1956.

Murphy went into coaching after his playing days were done and that was a much longer and more successful career. Murphy started coaching at the high school level in Vancouver before moving on to the American college ranks with stints at Eastern Washingon (where he also earned his Masters), Hawaii and San Jose State. Murphy started his CFL coaching career as an assistant with his old team, the Lions, in 1974. Murphy took over as the Lions head coach for BC partway through the 1975 season and remained in that position through the 1976 season, compiling a 10-14-2 record.

Murphy's next stop was a one year stay as an assistant coach with Montreal in 1977and then it was on to Edmonton for five years (1978-82) as an assistant coach where he earned a reputation as one of the best offensive coordinators in the CFL. With Montreal winning the Grey Cup in 1977 and Edmonton reeling off five cup wins in those years, Murphy was a Grey Cup winner in six straight seasons.

Murphy's second gig as a CFL head coach came in 1983 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers which lasted until 1986. After just one year away from the Grey Cup final, Murphy got his first cup as a head coach and his seventh in his career with the Bombers in 1984. Murphy was named the CFL coach of the year in both 1983 and 1984 with Winnipeg. Murphy moved upstairs to become the Bomber GM in 1987, a position he held until 1995. Murphy got Grey Cups eight and nine as a GM with victories in 1988 and 1990. During his tenure as GM, there was a second stint as head coach from 1993-96. Murphy did get the Bombers to the cup again in 1993 as a coach but lost to Edmonton.

In total as a head coach with Winnipeg, Murphy put up an impressive 86-52 record. Leaving Winnipeg, Murphy moved one province West to become an assistant coach with the Roughriders for two years (1997-98) before taking over as head coach for one season in 1999. The Riders were not a good team that year, however, going 3-15.

"Coach Cal" had heart problems including a couple of heart attacks during his coaching career and eventually had to undergo a heart transplant. Cal Murphy was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Cal Murphy passed away at the age of 79 on February 18, 2012.

Cal Murphy in Wikipedia

Cal Murphy in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Murphy Named BC Head Coach With Firing of Eagle Keys - August 29, 1975

Ackles, Murphy Retained by Lions - November 4, 1975

Murphy Suffers Heart Attack - September 8, 1978

Bombers Want Murphy to be Heat Coach - January 24, 1983

Bombers' Coach Murphy in Hospitial - October 1, 1985

Bombers' Murphy Back On Job - November 13, 1985

Murphy Hospitalized in Winnipeg - February 4, 2010

Hall of Famer Cal Murphy Dies

Cal Murphy, Deat at 79