Report: Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy has interviewed multiple times for Mets manager job

The New York Mets are nothing if not interesting, and after seemingly striking out on Joe Girardi as they try to fill their manager vacancy, another candidate seems to have emerged -- Brewers bench coach and Craig Counsell confidant Pat Murphy.

The Athletic says not only has Murphy received an interview for the Mets’ managing job, he’s received two -- and could be the “mystery candidate” talked about recently in the organization’s search.

Murphy has served as Counsell’s bench coach for virtually the entirety of Counsell’s tenure in Milwaukee’s dugout, having previously coached at Arizona State and Notre Dame. He was also the interim manager for the San Diego Padres in 2015.

Murphy famously coached Counsell at Notre Dame before a 15-year run at Arizona State that abruptly ended with his resignation in 2009 after allegations of academic fraud and recruiting violations. During his time in Tempe, he took the Sun Devils to four trips to the College World Series.

His stint as interim manager in San Diego came after the Padres had fired Bud Black, going 42-54 after Bud Black started the year 32-33 and Dave Roberts went 0-1.

Now 60 years old, Murphy would be considered a bit of an unconventional candidate for the Mets’ job, which might just fit GM Brodie Van Wagenen’s M.O.

There wouldn’t be a clear candidate to replace Murphy as the Brewers’ bench coach should he be hired in Flushing. It’s hard to measure his true effect on the Brewers’ recent success, but it’s been clear from the start he’s been a mentor for Counsell as he started his managing career without any previous experience.