DeMarco Murray staying at Oklahoma following pursuit from Ohio State

Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray is staying with the Sooners after having his name tied to the Ohio State opening, sources tell On3.

The three-time Pro Bowler and former Sooner star has been linked to the open running backs coaching job at Ohio State following Tony Alford’s recent departure to Michigan. Now Murray is staying in Norman and has been offered a new three-year deal, On3 has learned.

The Buckeyes remain on the market, looking to fill their 10th assistant role. Murray’s current salary pays out $575,000 annually. A pay bump is expected with the new deal. He seriously considered leaving OU for Columbus, especially with family ties to the city.

Murray led the Sooners to three Big 12 championships during his playing career, rushing for 3,685 career yards and 65 touchdowns. He’s the program’s all-time leader in kickoff return average with 27.6 yards. The 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year joined the coaching ranks after his seven-year NFL career, joining the Arizona staff for the 2019 season.

He headed to Norman to take over as running backs coach at his alma mater in 2020, working with names like Rhamondre Stevenson and Kennedy Brooks. Murray’s running backs averaged 5.7 yards per carry and scored 18 rushing touchdowns in 11 games in 2020 and averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored 19 rushing touchdowns in 13 games in 2021.

Murray has delivered on the recruiting trail for the Sooners, too. Oklahoma signed four-star prospect Taylor Tatum as part of its 2024 recruiting class. The Longview, Texas, native was ranked as the No. 1 overall running back in the cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Oklahoma also signed three-star Xavier Robinson.

The Sooners return Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes. Sawchuk rushed for 744 yards and nine touchdowns with nine touchdowns, while Barnes dealt with a toe injury. Both are expected to be key contributors in 2024.

Now entering his fourth year as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, DeMarco Murray has a new three-year contract offer on the table ready to help lead the Sooners’ rushing attack into the SEC.