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| Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star |
Murray, 31, was named Oklahoma's running backs coach after the departure of Jay Boulware to Texas, Lincoln Riley announced on Monday.
He called the opportunity to return to Norman, “surreal,” where he set school records for all-purpose yards (6,718) and touchdowns (65).
After earning first-team All-Big 12 honors twice in four season at Oklahoma, Murray was selected 71st overall in 2011 NFL Draft.
Becoming an All-Pro in the NFL, he was named to Pro Bowl on four occasions in seven seasons.
"This is very surreal, " said Murray, via SoonerSports.com. "Obviously I never thought I'd be back coaching at the place where it all started for me. Having the opportunity to come back and be among great coaches and be with some of the people I grew up with is exciting. I'm thankful for the opportunity Coach Riley is giving me and I'm looking forward to being back home.”
Riley welcomed Murray and his family to Norman with excitement, calling his future in coaching “bright.”
"This is a really exciting day, being able to welcome one of our program's all-time best players back to Norman," Riley said in the statement.
"DeMarco had a tremendous playing career both at OU and in the NFL and has a passion for coaching and helping young men grow as players and people. He's got an incredibly bright coaching future and will be an outstanding mentor to our players. I don't think there's anyone better to lead our running backs. Everyone in our program is excited to have DeMarco, his wife Heidi and their children as part of our family."
After a stint as an analyst for FOX Sports, Murray joined Kevin Sumlin's coaching staff at Arizona in January of 2019, as running backs coach.
Arizona ranked 52nd in FBS rushing offense, according to NCAA statistics.
Murray expressed gratitude to Sumlin, an assistant coach at Oklahoma (2006-07), for allowing him the opportunity to break into the coaching ranks.
"Coach Sumlin gave me that first chance to coach and I appreciate everything he's done for me," Murray said. "I've known him dating back to when I was 18 or 19 years old at OU. He's always been a great friend of mine and we stayed in constant communication after he left OU and throughout our careers. He's a great guy who always creates a fun environment for his staff and players. I appreciate him taking a chance on me and I learned a lot from him last year."
Murray will open his first spring camp in Norman as coach on March 7.
Oklahoma's annual red-white spring game is scheduled for April 13.
