Penn State Football, James Franklin, College Football Playoff, Orange Bowl Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin yells out to his team as they play the Boise State Broncos during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2024.

James Franklin Eyes Big-Name Hire for Penn State RB Coach

Originally posted on Nittany Central | By Daniel Fisher | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 10:30 PM ET

Penn State Football running back coach Ja’Jaun Seider is set to take the same position at Notre Dame, leaving a void at one of the best jobs on the roster.

A few weeks ago, former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Tom Allen left to take the same position at Clemson. Then Penn State hired Ohio State’s Jim Knowles as their next defensive coordinator.

Head coach James Franklin is swinging for the fences this season, and a big-time name has emerged for the running back coaching position.

According to On3.com’s Pete Nakos , “Oklahoma running back coach DeMarco Murray has emerged as a candidate for Penn State’s running backs coach.”

Murray was the Sooners’ running back from 2007 to 2010 before spending seven years in the NFL, playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans.

What DeMarco Murray Would Bring Penn State

DeMarco Murray, Penn State Football

The 36-year-old running back returned to Norman as the running back coach in 2020, and it will be hard to take him away from the school he played for.

Last year, there were rumors that Ohio State was set to bring in Murray after running back coach Tony Alford left for Michigan, but Murray decided to stay with the Sooners.

Penn State returns two of the best running backs in the country: Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton.

We have witnessed two running back-headed monsters win the last two national championships with Michigan’s Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards in 2023 and Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins this past season.

Allen and Singleton can be as good as the Michigan and Ohio State running backs, and Murray’s coaching could help them reach a higher level.

Nakos also mentioned that former Temple head coach Stan Drayton is another name in the mix for the Penn State running back coaching position.