Former NFL'er Latavius Murray to join Florida high school football staff

Brevard County will always hold a special place in the heart of former NFL Pro Bowl running back Latavius Murray, who was born in Titusville before starring in high school for Onondaga Central (N.Y.). On Thursday afternoon, the 10-year NFL running back decided to make it official in giving back to his hometown.

Titusville (Fla.) head football coach Matt Diesel confirmed with Rivals that the former Pro Bowler will be joining the Terriers as the team’s run game coordinator and running backs coach. Murray played in the NFL from 2014-23, last playing for the Buffalo Bills.

“Coach Murray was born in Titusville and has established a residence in the greater Orlando area and was wanting to give back to his hometown where he still has a lot of family and friends,” Diesel said. “After I accepted the job in January, one of his family members that I know in Titusville reached out to me and expressed that his family member coach Murray had interest in working with our high school program.”

“We all met up for breakfast and put a plan in action to get him on board with us. He has been with us since spring football and is a very valuable asset to our coaching staff.”

Diesel, who helped lead Cocoa to three consecutive state championships from 2022-24, returned to Titusville this off-season after once serving as the team’s defensive coordinator for five seasons. It’s not the first time that Diesel has been the head coach of a football program as he previously led the Space Coast (Fla.) Vipers.

Murray was a sixth-round pick, No. 181 overall, in the 2013 NFL Draft after playing at UCF. Over the course of his four seasons with the Knights, Murray rushed for 2,424 yards and scored 37 touchdowns.

The UCF standout would miss his rookie season due to an injury, but proved himself early once he got on the field for the Oakland Raiders in 2014. Murray rushed for 424 yards and had a career-high average of 5.2 yards per carry. It would be the following campaign where Murray would have his breakout season, rushing for a career-high 1,066 yards, scoring six touchdowns and earning himself a Pro Bowl selection. Murray went on to play for five other NFL teams, including the Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints.

“For a former player with his résumé, both collegiately and professionally (Murray) is one of the most humble human beings you will meet,” Diesel said. “He brings high energy and a great work ethic every day. I look forward to watching him transition from an elite player to a better coach.”