Rob Murphy will remain as head coach of Eastern Michigan, passing up an opportunity to join the Orlando Magic.

“We are certainly pleased with Coach Murphy's decision to continue to lead our men's basketball program into the future,” EMU AD Derrick Gragg said. "We look forward to an exciting basketball season that continues the momentum we captured this past year.”

"I would like to end the speculation about my leaving Eastern Michigan University," said Murphy.

"It is true that I had an opportunity to join the Orlando Magic," Murphy said. "Representatives of the Magic were both professional in their approach and respectful of our situation at EMU. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to have spoken with them and would like to publicly thank them for their professionalism and interest. They have a great franchise with a tremendous staff in place, and I wish them nothing but the best."

Rob Murphy is leaving Eastern Michigan to join the Magic in their scouting department, according to a source.

Murphy was hired at Eastern Michigan before the 2011-12 season after a long tenure as an assistant coach with Syracuse where he replaced Thunder executive Troy Weaver.