BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - A familiar face will return to the Illinois Wesleyan University football team sidelines in 2025 as head coach Jared Williamson announced the addition of Mike Murray to his staff Monday afternoon, Jan. 13. Murray, a 1984 Illinois Wesleyan graduate and previous assistant coach and coordinator at IWU, will serve as the Titans' assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.

"My relationship with Coach Murray and his family dates back to 2006 and our time here at Illinois Wesleyan," Williamson shared. "The guidance and leadership he will provide to our student-athletes across every aspect of their IWU experience is truly special. Being a Titan alum with extensive experience in the CCIW and NCAA Division III football makes his addition to our staff a home run."

"This is a tremendously exciting opportunity to return to my alma mater again," Murray said. "Coach Williamson is a great friend and we have enjoyed our time together in this business. So, it is extra special to be back together at a place that both of us love. Anne, our kids, and our entire family are thrilled."

Murray brings more than 40 years of coaching experience, including head coaching stops at Elmhurst University, University of Dubuque, and Benedictine University (Ill.). Most recently, he spent two seasons at College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin foe Elmhurst, where he reinvigorated the Bluejay football program. Inheriting a program that had won just two games over a 30-game span, Murray guided Elmhurst to its most wins since 2016 this past fall. 

"What sets Coach Murray apart is his unique ability to foster connections and outreach with former Titans," Williamson added. "He will play a pivotal role in strengthening our ties with alumni, ensuring they remain an integral part of our program. Through these connections, our current players and staff will have invaluable opportunities to engage multiple times a year with the great Titans of the past, gaining insight and inspiration from their experiences. Coach Murray's impact will undoubtedly elevate our program in countless ways."

Murray will rejoin forces with Williamson for the third time as the two previously worked together at Illinois Wesleyan and Robert Morris/Roosevelt. Williamson was a graduate assistant at IWU during Murray's stint as offensive coordinator in the mid-2000s. Murray later joined Williamson's staff in Chicago as the defensive coordinator. In his most recent tenure coaching alongside Williamson, Murray helped lead the Lakes to a 7-3 overall record and a No. 15 national ranking in the NAIA Coaches Poll. His defense finished the season ranked 20th in the NAIA in points per game, allowing just 17.2 per contest, while nine defensive student-athletes were named all-conference.

Prior to coaching at Roosevelt/Robert Morris, Murray served as the defensive coordinator at North Central College for five seasons. There, Murray helped the Cardinals to a 49-9 overall record and CCIW Championships in 2013, 2016, and 2017. Murray coached two D3 Football All-Americans in his time at North Central, and led his players to 16 First Team All-CCIW selections, including the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year in the conference.

Murray got his start in coaching at his alma mater, serving as the Titans' defensive coordinator for 10 seasons, from 1987-96. His players garnered 66 All-CCIW selections and he coached the league's co-defensive player of the year in 1987. He also earned his first three CCIW Championships with the Titans in 1992, 1994 (co-champions), and 1996.

Murray is a 1984 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, where he lettered all four years in both football and baseball, earning All-CCIW Honorable Mention honors in football in 1983 and all-conference honors in baseball in both 1983 and 1984. 

He and his wife, Anne, are both 1984 Illinois Wesleyan graduates, while two of their four children also attended IWU. Murray and his wife have four children - Laura (class of 2009), Amanda (class of 2012), David, and Bryan, and four grandchildren.

The 2025 season will mark the first under the direction of Williamson, who was named head coach of the Titans, Jan. 2. The new era will begin at Tucci Stadium Saturday, Sept. 6, against Central College (Iowa).