While it might not be uncommon for a parent to coach his or her son or daughter, and perhaps only a bit unusual for a sibling or father-son coaching connection, or even for a husband-wife coaching tandem, having all of these in place at the university level — all at the same school no less — is another story.

Never mind the Final Four, there is a Newtown Murphy Four at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Mike Murphy is the head coach of SHU’s women’s club team and is joined on the bench by both his son Liam and wife Jamie. What’s more, Liam’s brother Braden is a practice player for the SHU Division I women’s team, which won the Northeast Conference for the second year in a row and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Braden had the opportunity to travel with the team to South Carolina. Braden had an opportunity to meet members of the South Carolina squad which went on to capture the National Championship on April 7.

You may have heard of March Madness, the postseason tournament time that spills over into April each year, but at SHU perhaps the phrase Murphy Madness would be more appropriate.

“I am very lucky to coach with my son and have my wife be involved as well. It is really awesome,” Mike said. “I get to coach with my son, my wife is involved with some practices and is at all games, it is a family atmosphere. The players and university are amazing — could not be happier with this opportunity.”

Mike and Jamie saw their lives cross paths through basketball when they both played four years at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y. Jamie was in the second Hall of Fame Induction Class at Mount Saint Mary; she is the No. 2 all-time scorer in women’s program history. During games at SHU she talks with players, offers advice, and determines areas to improve.

This is Mike’s second season with the SHU club team. Last year the Pioneers went 17-5, won its league and lost to the University of Massachusetts in the New England Regional semifinals. The team’s highest ranking was No. 2 and it finished the season ranked No. 11.

The squad surpassed its win total of a year ago, won its league and played in the New England Regionals in Boston during the first weekend of April. Ranked No. 12 in the preseason poll, the Pioneers got as high as No. 5 this season.

The head coach is extremely pleased with the success the Pioneers have had, especially given the loss of key graduates last year. “We lost six seniors who set the tone for the program and this year returning players have kept it going,” he said.

“We’ve had success but, more importantly, we’ve been able to work with some young individuals who love the game,” Mike said.

Mike has more than 25 years of coaching experience, including several with high school teams, including Immaculate of Danbury — where both of his sons played — and nine seasons at the youth level.

Liam is an assistant coach. He helps develop practice plans, scouting reports, individual improvement with players, and game preparation among his responsibilities. Having the chance to direct a team alongside his dad is a unique opportunity.

“It’s really cool. Growing up he coached all of my games. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to coach with,” Liam said.

Liam said the family members do bring their coaching minds home with them and give each other input about areas in which the team is doing well or needs to improve, and that it is nice to have three different perspectives.

It has become increasingly common for women’s basketball programs to use male students as practice players in an attempt to push the women more in their game preparation, Mike said.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Braden, an SHU business major, adding that the team has been welcoming and he has built many friendships through this experience. The coaches scout opposing teams and Braden’s role varies from pregame to pregame as he simulates various types of opponents such as long-range shooters or those who drive to the basket, for example.

What’s even more is that Mike’s brother Matt coaches the Newtown High School boys’ team and his daughters Shea and Moira, along with his son Keenan, now a senior at South Carolina, played for NHS. Mike and Matt also run the Murphy Basketball Camp for girls and boys each summer. Basketball has run in the Murphy family for years; in 1998 Mike and Matt took over the camp started by their dad.

“Its fun. When you grow up in a basketball family you look forward to March,” Braden said.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.