Paul Murphy has been involved in wrestling for over 50 years as an outstanding wrestler, and as a long time coach and referee. During his high school years at Newton South, Paul was known for his toughness, character and leadership. Paul was a multi-sport athlete participating in football, soccer, wrestling, and lacrosse throughout his high school career. Paul capped off his senior wrestling season by winning the East Central Sectional Championship at 134 lbs. His finals match was a grueling, 9 minute overtime match. What started as 0-0 at the end of regulation, ended with Paul exploding for 7 points in the third overtime period for a 7-0 victory. With this win, Paul avenged a mid-season pin over a highly favored, top-ranked opponent. Paul went on to place 5th in the state wrapping up his senior season with a 22-4 record. Years later in 2013, Paul was inducted into the Newton South Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as an athlete and coach.  

After Newton South, Paul attended Boston State College, now known as University of Massachusetts Boston. In his time at Boston State, Paul excelled in soccer, wrestling and lacrosse. If not for an injury that caused him to miss two seasons, Paul would have achieved 12 collegiate varsity letters. Among his many accolades and achievements, Paul was named a Small College All-American in lacrosse. When he was inducted into the Boston State-UMass Boston Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, he was described as one of the greatest athletes in Boston State history.  

Paul’s career has been a long and rewarding journey–both for him and everyone he has worked with. From the time he graduated Boston State to now, Paul has been a physical education teacher, coach and official at every level. Throughout his career Paul coached and officiated football, wrestling, lacrosse and soccer. It is coaches like Paul who have helped keep wrestling alive and thriving in Massachusetts. Many of the wrestling coaching positions Paul filled, as head or assistant coach, were with troubled programs in need of a loyal, reliable coach like Paul to provide stability and guidance. While he was coaching, Paul also amassed over 20 years as a wrestling official with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Wrestling Officials Association (MIWOA); he has over 200 wins as a head coach and was inducted into the Massachusetts Interscholastic Wrestling Coaches Association (MIWCA) Hall of Fame in 2016. Despite the special honors, awards and accolades Paul received throughout his career, his greatest accomplishments lie in the many relationships he has made and all of the young athletes and coaches he has helped develop. Many of his former athletes have become solid citizens, family men, first responders, top military personnel, teachers, coaches, media personalities, and business executives.  

Currently, Paul is retired from teaching and is the head wrestling coach at Walpole High School. He has remained active in many road races for a number of charitable organizations and still plays in senior lacrosse events. He lives in Walpole with Leslie, his wife of 24 years, and their two sons, Tom and John, who are both former Walpole High athletes.