Oklahoma Sooners Football: Reports - Former Sooner DeMarco Murray to return as running backs coach

According to multiple reports, record-breaking Oklahoma Sooners running back and current Arizona Wildcats running back coach DeMarco Murray will return to Norman in the same position. The development was first reported by Jason Scheer of Wildcat Authority and was later confirmed by SoonerScoop’s Carey Murdock.

Murray, who came to Norman from Las Vegas’ Bishop Gorman in 2006, rushed for 3,685 yards and 50 touchdowns at Oklahoma from 2007-2010. Additionally, he recorded 10 touchdown receptions and three kickoff return TDs, giving him a school-record 64 all-purpose TDs. He also holds the school records for all-purpose yards (6,498) and receiving yards by a running back (1,512). However, Murray is remembered less for his milestones and more for his proclivity to captivate a stadium with electrifying plays — the most memorable of which was his hurdle during the 2007 Red River Shootout win over Texas.

Following his career in Norman, Murray was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft and rushed for 897 yards as a rookie. In his third NFL season, he broke out with 1,121 yards and a 5.2 average per carry. However, Murray’s lack of carries (15.2 per game) caused many to scratch their heads. In 2014, the Cowboys took advantage of his skills, handing him the rock 24.5 times per game behind an elite offensive line. The result was a franchise-record 1,845-yard season, an NFL rushing title and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.

In 2015, Murray signed a five-year, $45 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, joining former OU teammate Sam Bradford in the process. Unfortunately, the former Sooner wasn’t a fit in Chip Kelly’s offense and was traded to the Tennessee Titans after only one season. He bounced back onto the scene with the Titans, rushing for 1,287 yards in 2016, but after rushing for 659 yards on only 3.6 yards per carry in 2017, he was released.

Following his NFL career, Murray signed on as college football commentator with FOX Sports before being hired by Kevin Sumlin to coach the running backs in Tucson.

Murray replaces Jay Boulware, who was recently announced as the new assistant HC and tight ends/special teams coach at Texas. Recruiting at the running back position had dropped off in recent years, but having the former Dallas Cowboys great out on the trail to visit prospects could certainly turn that around.