VICTORIA - Just eight months into his new role, Murphy Burnatowski has already done what no first time head coach in University of Victoria history has done. He walked into a storied program, inherited sky-high expectations, and somehow exceeded them.
The 33-year-old former professional basketball player led the Vikes to a perfect 20-0 regular season after sweeping the University of British Columbia Okanagan over the weekend, making him the first U SPORTS men's basketball coach since 1975-76 to go undefeated in his debut season. This marks just the fourth time in history that the men's basketball team has posted a perfect record in conference play, with the previous three occurring during the early '80s dynasty under head coach Ken Shields.
Burnatowski, who spent the last four seasons as the lead assistant at Dalhousie University, took over a team that had won three straight Canada West titles and was already the top-ranked squad in the country. On paper, it looked like an easy transition. In reality, it was anything but.
With just a couple of months to prepare, the first-time head coach moved across the country to take on the daunting task of replacing Craig Beaucamp, who had led the men's basketball program for the past 21 years.
"I feel extremely blessed to be chosen to take over this group. It's rare for a young coach to come into a program that already has a winning culture. Craig obviously did an amazing job and to have high expectations just means I am lucky to be in this position in the first place," said Burnatowski.
No one would have blamed him if the Vikes had taken a step back or faltered under the weight of the transition. Instead, they entered the year with a newfound intensity, tightened their grip on the conference, and never let go.
Perhaps this team's defining characteristic has been its resiliency. When reigning U SPORTS MVP and Vikes all-time leading scorer Diego Maffia went out with a season-ending injury, it could have been a breaking point. Then came the loss of third-year centre Shadynn Smid, another key piece suddenly gone. But the Vikes didn't unravel. They called on a roster of returning veterans and newcomers to step up, and they answered the call.
"I am most proud that this group has continued to fight through adversity and has constantly risen up to, and exceeded my expectations, even if I sometimes tell them otherwise," Burnatowski joked.
However, Burnatowski's true success lies in something less tangible. Call it buy-in. Call it chemistry. Whatever it is, this year's Vikes team has it. They move the ball with pace and defend with purpose, and despite being plagued with injuries and bad luck, it's been a team effort through and through.
If Burnatowski's name feels familiar in Canadian basketball circles, it should. A fixture in the national team pipeline, he represented Canada at the junior, university, and senior levels, most recently at the 2017 AmeriCup in Argentina. Before that, he spent a decade playing professionally overseas, hopping from Vietnam to Thailand, Poland to Switzerland, each stop adding another layer to his understanding of the game. Now, in his first head coaching gig, he's proving that all those years of experience have translated.
He's also making a strong case for Canada West Coach of the Year.
However, he's quick to point out the incredible work of his assistant coaches Josh Reddy, Terrell Evans, Niasi Malua and Joe Thomas. "Josh has been incredible working with individuals and on film, and they have all taken guys under their wing to really help improve them throughout the year."
For now, Burnatowski deflects the spotlight, sticking to the script that has carried his team this far. "Our goal for the season is to win a national championship. There is no time to celebrate until we reach that goal."
The playoffs loom, and the real test is still ahead. A perfect regular season is one thing; championships are another. But if this Vikes team has taught anyone anything, it's that they won't back down from a challenge.
