DeMarco Murray suspended one game for violating NCAA rules
OU running backs coach DeMarco Murray will be suspended for the season opener for violating recruiting regulations, the NCAA announced Tuesday.
According to the NCAA, Murray had “impermissibly contacted prospects and their families prior to the permissible time period, according to an agreement released by the Division I Committee on Infractions.”
The article from the NCAA further stated the following regarding his suspension:
The school, Murray and the enforcement staff agreed that the violations in the football program occurred when Murray impermissibly contacted 17 prospects over 16 months, including 65 impermissible phone calls and 36 impermissible text messages. Murray indicated that he was not aware that a COVID-19 waiver of recruiting contact rules had expired. During the investigation, the enforcement staff determined that the school had properly educated football coaches on the applicable recruiting rules and the timing of changes to them.
Essentially, Murray spoke to 17 recruits when he was not supposed to. He will be suspended one game and the school will not be allowed to have unofficial visits Friday against Temple. A university spokesperson released the following statement.
“The University discovered the violations through its monitoring system and investigated, reported and addressed the matters promptly and appropriately. The violations in question were limited to the actions of a coach who is no longer employed by the University and a current assistant coach. OU worked with the NCAA to manage the review and reach a conclusion, and penalties imposed by the University are already in effect.”
Murray was hired in 2020 as the Sooners’ running backs coach. He has been a major part of winning several big recruiting battles, including landing the No. 1 running back in the 2024 class Taylor Tatum.
