TOLEDO, Ohio – Rocket fans mourn the passing of former head football coach John (Jack) Murphy, who died on Jan. 9 at the age of 88.

Murphy was the Rockets' head coach from 1971-76, compiling a 35-32 record. In his first season as head coach, the Rockets went 12-0, completing a perfect 35-0 run from 1969-71. Toledo won its third consecutive Mid-American Conference championship and Tangerine Bowl title that season and Murphy was voted MAC Coach of the Year.

"We offer our condolences to the family and friends of Coach Jack Murphy, a true Rocket legend," said UToledo Vice President and Athletic Director Mike O'Brien. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved him."

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Murphy," said Rocket Head Football Coach Jason Candle. "Coach Murphy was a great man who had a tremendous impact on the foundation of Rocket football. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Murphy joined the Rockets in 1960 as an assistant coach under Clive Rush. He then became the defensive coordinator under Frank Lauterbur in 1963. He led defenses that helped produce Toledo's first Mid-American Conference title in 1967 and was a critical part of the 35-0 streak that started in 1969. In five of Murphy's last six seasons as defensive coordinator, the Rockets were in the top 10 nationally in total defense, including a No. 1 ranking in 1969.

Murphy left Toledo in 1970 to become the head coach at Heidelberg, his alma mater, but returned to assume the reins in Toledo in 1971 when Lauterbur took the head coaching position at Iowa.

A native of Barberton, Ohio, Murphy was a 1954 graduate of Heidelberg, where he earned all-conference honors on the football team. He was an assistant coach with the Student Princes until moving to the Glass City in 1960.

Murphy was inducted into the University of Toledo's Varsity T Hall of Fame in 1997.

The family is inviting all friends and well-wishers for a COVID-safe Memorial Tailgate to celebrate the life of Jack and begin the 50-year anniversary celebration of the Toledo 35-0 team. There will be a drive-through visitation from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Jan. 23 in Parking Are 10 in front of the Rocket at the Glass Bowl. The memorial tailgate will be followed by a 1:00 p.m. funeral Mass at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd. Toledo, OH 43614.

In lieu of flowers, Murphy's family have asked that donations be made to the Jack and Carol Murphy Fund at the University of Toledo Foundation. The fund provides scholarships for UToledo student-athletes and can be accessed online at: UTRockets.com/Murphy.