Correction: This story has been corrected to say that Ron Murphy is the baseball coach for Rio Rancho, not the football coach.
With the start of the high school season approaching, Rio Rancho record-breaking coach Ron Murphy has been benched – at least temporarily.
Murphy, who is the only coach the Rams have had, was recently placed on paid administrative leave as an investigation is ongoing, Rio Rancho Public Schools officials said.
“We are unable to discuss specifics regarding personnel matters,” Wyndham Kemsley
RRPS communications director, wrote in an email. “However, I can confirm that Rio Rancho Public Schools is currently conducting a personnel investigation involving Mr. Murphy. As is typical with these kinds of instances, he has been placed on paid administrative leave during the course of the investigation, which is a neutral action.”
Kemsley did not respond to questions regarding when the investigation began or when Murphy was placed on leave.
Murphy did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.
Murphy constructed a powerhouse program at Rio Rancho since it opened in the 1997-98 school year, winning state championships in 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2023, while reaching the title game three other seasons.
He started his head coaching career in 1991 at St. Pius before moving on to the Rams, compiling a 638-222-4 record overall, the bulk of those wins coming at Rio Rancho. He is the state record holder for wins, with no other coach topping 600.
When Murphy won his 600th game in 2022, he told the New Mexico Activities Association, “This is a team milestone. This milestone was achieved with the total support and help from my players, assistant coaches, parents, administration, community and family. I have been very lucky with so much support over the years and this milestone is as much theirs as it is mine.”
Murphy was named the National Federation of High Schools National Coach of the Year for the 2019-2020 school year.
“Reaching 600 wins means that I am lucky to have surrounded myself with so many great people in my life,” he told the NMAA. “I am blessed to have worked with so many great players on and off the field.”
Official baseball practice begins Feb. 5 and the Rams first game is scheduled for Feb. 23 against Chapin of El Paso in the opener of the Socorro Independent School District Tournament in El Paso.
For the time being, pitching coach Dave Gomez will be the Rams interim head coach.