On July 25, 2011, Murray was announced as the head coach of the Western Michigan Broncos. Murray replaced Jeff Blashill, who left WMU after one season to join the NHL's Detroit Red Wings as an assistant coach. Murray had no prior experience coaching college hockey in the United States, although he did spend several seasons as head coach in the late 1970s at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. Murray stated at his introductory press conference that coaching college hockey was on his bucket list, and that he loved the college atmosphere and college sports. Murray signed a five-year, $1.5 million contract. Other known finalists for the position included Ron Rolston, a veteran assistant coach of several college and minor league programs, and former WMU player and incumbent WMU assistant coach Pat Ferschweiler. Ferschweiler was retained by Murray and elevated to the position of associate head coach in 2013.