Former Houston offensive lineman Justin Murphy blasted the program and coach Dana Holgorsen in a lengthy Twitter thread Thursday night, accusing Holgorsen of "tanking" the team's 2019 season.
Murphy, a graduate transfer from UCLA who joined the Cougars this year, said he left the program after suffering a knee injury and being suspended for calling the coach's tactics into question.
My name is Justin Murphy. And according to sources I am no longer apart of the 2019 Houston Cougar Football Senior Class. A senior class that is the first group to experience a head coach and administration to actively tank a football season. (THREAD)
— Justin Murphy (@JMurphy_73) October 11, 2019
UH quarterback D'Eriq King and wide receiver Keith Corbin — the team's top offensive weapons — announced after Week 3 that they would sit out the rest of the season to redshirt, moves that Murphy alleges were sanctioned by Holgorsen.
"[Holgorsen] had personally contacted several seniors and asked them if they would redshirt for the 2019 football season, in order to 'develop' and come back in 2020," Murphy wrote.
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Murphy implied that he voiced his displeasure with Holgorsen regarding those offers to redshirt, writing, "I call bulls— when I see it."
Murphy wrote that after a Week 4 loss to Tulane, he underwent an MRI exam on his knee that revealed a torn meniscus and "presumed 'dead' ACL." He planned on playing through it but "was told to remain off the plane (to Dallas for UH's Week 5 game at North Texas) and stay in Houston in order to 'heal up mentally and physically.'"
Forcibly taking away one of the reasons why I came to this University in the first place. A suspension that came based on the logic that I was a distraction and not committed to the team.
— Justin Murphy (@JMurphy_73) October 11, 2019
Murphy then decided to leave the program. He alleges that Holgorsen did not look him in the eye or shake his hand when he told him he wouldn't be returning to the team.
Holgorsen sat at a desk, eyes glued to a monitor and replied with 13 words. “I don’t have time to talk, I only have time to coach.” and “O.K.” As if I didn’t deserve an eye to eye farewell or a proper handshake.
— Justin Murphy (@JMurphy_73) October 11, 2019
Houston was Murphy's third school, and this is his second medical retirement. He began at Texas Tech and medically retired because of knee injuries after three years. After a year off, he transferred to UCLA for the 2018 season before going to Houston this year. He started each of the Cougars' first four games in 2019, alternating between right guard and right tackle.
Holgorsen is in his first year at Houston. The Cougars are 2-3 and host No. 25 Cincinnati on Saturday.