Murphy placed on administrative leave

Ron Murphy, the only baseball coach Rio Rancho High School has had since its debut season of 1998, was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday evening and forbidden from being on campus.

A meeting for parents of baseball players was held Wednesday, when it was announced Murphy was, for now, no longer the head coach.

Rams pitching coach Dave Gomez has been named the interim head coach until an investigation has been completed. The first official day of practice for the 2024 season is Feb. 5.

When reached by the Albuquerque Journal on Thursday, Murphy said the case revolves around the rental of Rio Rancho’s baseball facility during the school’s offseason program. He declined to comment further.

Murphy, a charter member of the RRHS Sports Hall of Fame, is New Mexico’s winningest baseball coach, with 611 career victories, the last 494 at RRHS. His teams have won state championships in 2007, ’09, ’13 and ’23.

The Observer will update this development as information is released by Rio Rancho Public Schools, which offered the following:

“I regret to inform you that we are unable to delve into specific personnel issues. However, I can confirm that we are currently conducting a personnel investigation in line with our standard procedures. It is customary for individuals to be placed on paid administrative leave during the course of such investigations which is a neutral action. I appreciate your understanding, and I can confirm that Dave Gomez is serving as the interim coach.”

That was sent by Beth Pendergrass, chief communications, strategy and engagement officer for RRPS.