Oklahoma’s coaching staff nearly took a hit in the middle of spring football.
Demarco Murray, former OU star and current running backs coach, was reportedly linked to a coaching vacancy with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
According to a report from Pete Nakos on Wednesday afternoon, however, the Sooners' position coach has received a new three-year contract and will remain at his current post.
Murray entered the coaching ranks in 2019, signing on to Kevin Sumlin’s Arizona staff.
One year later, he made the move back to Norman.
An ace recruiter, Murray helped develop Kennedy Brooks and Eric Gray in Norman while bringing along redshirt freshman Gavin Sawchuk last year after Sawchuk recovered from a hamstring injury that hampered him coming into the season.
Murray was also instrumental in the Sooners signing 2024 running back prospect Taylor Tatum, who is one of the top tailbacks in his recruiting class.
In January, the OU Board of Regents approved a contract extension for Murray through January 2026 that raised his salary from $500,000 to $575,000. With the Buckeyes reportedly attempting to swoop in and offer Murray a job, the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year has been given a new contract.
Murray starred in Oklahoma’s backfield from 2007-2010, totaling 3,685 rushing yards, 50 rushing touchdowns, 1,571 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2007.
If Murray had accepted the reported Ohio State offer, he would have reunited with Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who coached him in 2015 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Sooners’ staff has already experienced turnover this offseason, and Murray also leaving Norman would have likely caused a shakeup in Oklahoma's running back room.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby was hired as Mississippi State’s head coach before the Alamo Bowl, clearing the path for Brent Venables to promote analyst Seth Littrell to co-offensive coordinator alongside tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley.
Venables also moved on from defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof to appoint Zac Alley to the same position.
Special teams analyst Jay Nunez was hired by Alabama in February, a role OU filled with San Diego State special teams guru Doug Deakin.
OU didn’t practice this week due to it being the University’s spring break, but spring football is scheduled to resume next week.
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