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The latest on DeMarco Murray and Penn State

headshotby:George Stoia•about 11 hours•

GeorgeStoia

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John E. Moore III/Getty Images

OU running backs coach DeMarco Murray is considered a top candidate for the same position at Penn State, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. But how seriously is Murray considering the job?

According to SoonerScoop sources, Murray spoke to several members of Oklahoma’s coaching staff and administration Tuesday evening and indicated to them he is not planning to leave Norman. Murray did in fact speak with Penn State about its opening and some industry sources still believe Murray is a candidate as of Tuesday evening.

Murray has been the running backs coach at OU since 2020 and has received interest elsewhere several times. Most notably, he was the top target for Ohio State’s opening last year, which resulted in him receiving a $225,000 raise for the 2024 season. Murray made a whopping $800,000 this past year and is set to make $850,000 in 2025. That would make him the third-highest-paid running backs coach in college football.

But Murray has been linked to several jobs this offseason. Sources tell SoonerScoop that he did speak with the Dallas Cowboys about its opening. The Cowboys eventually hired Derrick Foster from the New Orleans Saints. Murray also received some interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, which have shown interest in him several times over the past several years. Sources at OU have long felt that if Murray were to leave his alma mater, it would be for the NFL.

Penn State is coming off a 13-win season and an appearance in the CFP semi-final. The Nittany Lions also just paid new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles $3.1 million annually. Penn State clearly has a lot to entice Murray with, if he is the school’s top target. Former Temple head coach Stan Drayton is the other leading candidate for the job at Penn State, according to sources. Drayton interviewed for the job on Monday in State College.

Stay tuned to SoonerScoop as this story develops.

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