It looked like DeMarco Murray was leaving his alma mater for the same job somewhere else, then all of a sudden, he wasn't.
At 5:48 p.m. Tuesday, Pete Nakos of On3 reported that Murray was a top candidate to be Penn State's next running backs coach, which is the same position he has with the Oklahoma Sooners. Then, less than three hours later, George Stoia of SoonerScoop (part of On3) reported that Murray was expected to stay at OU.
According to Stoia, Murray talked to Penn State about the opening, but he told people within OU's program Tuesday evening that he was planning to stay put.
This is not the first time Murray's name has been mentioned as a candidate for a big-time opening, even this offseason. He was also reportedly a candidate for the Dallas Cowboys' running backs coach position.
That, too, would have been like coaching for his alma mater since Murray played four seasons with the Cowboys in 2011-14.
The Las Vegas Raiders were also reportedly interested in Murray as their running backs coach this year. Last year, Ohio State wanted Murray.
Since Murray has been such a hot commodity, OU gave him quite the raise last year. Murray signed an extension through 2026 that bumped his salary from $500,000 to $575,000. Then, after Ohio State pursued him, the Sooners gave Murray another raise that set his salary at $800,000 in 2024.
Murray didn't even get into coaching until 2019, when Arizona hired him as running backs coach. He then went to OU in 2020 and has been there ever since under both Lincoln Riley and Brent Venables.
Before coaching, Murray was two-time First-Team All-Big 12 and was on the second team once with the Sooners. He rushed for at least 700 yards every season in college and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards as a sophomore and senior.
Murray was then a third-round NFL Draft pick by the Cowboys before a seven-year NFL career between the Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans.
In 2014, his last season in Dallas, Murray led the NFL with 1,845 rushing yards and 13 TDs. He was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year and was All-Pro. Murray was a Pro Bowler three times in his career.
After playing, Murray spent a year in broadcasting before getting into coaching.
Many believe an NFL job is the only thing that would draw Murray away from coaching at his alma mater. However, there are some reports that he is still a candidate at Penn State.