Bill Murray's son Luke named head coach of Boston College midway through UConn's March Madness run

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Boston College has hired Luke Murray - the son of actor and comedian, Bill Murray - as the new head coach of its men's basketball team.

Murray has spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach with UConn, helping lead the Huskies to back-to-back national championships.

Bill Murray was in the stands in Philadelphia earlier this week as UConn beat UCLA to reach the Sweet 16 of March Madness.

The No 2-seeded Huskies are back in action on Friday against No 3 Michigan State. Murray will remain with the team through the NCAA Tournament.

But on Thursday, hours before the Huskies' Sweet 16 showdown, Boston College confirmed Murray's appointment.

'Today marks a turning point in Boston College men's basketball,' athletic director Blake James said in a statement. 

'In Luke Murray, we have found a leader who does not just understand the modern landscape of college basketball - he has helped define it. 

'His role in building a national championship caliber program, his sophisticated offensive vision, and his relentless pursuit of excellence make him the perfect fit to lead our student-athletes. We are thrilled to welcome Luke, his wife, Kara, and their family to the BC community.'

Murray, 40, has worked under Huskies head coach Dan Hurley at UConn, Rhode Island and Wagner.

'I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to lead the Boston College men's basketball program,' Murray said in a statement. 

'BC is a university with a prestigious academic reputation and a storied basketball tradition. 

'Boston College alumni and fans will find our program defined by a standard of excellence, and our team will play an unselfish, tough, and highly competitive brand of basketball. I am excited to get to work to build this proud program. Go Eagles!'