NCAA Makes Final Decision On Oklahoma Coach DeMarco Murray

Former NFL running back and Dallas Cowboys star DeMarco Murray is entering his fifth season as an assistant coach for his alma mater, the Oklahoma Sooners. After a seven-year career in the NFL, Murray is now coaching the running backs under head coach Brent Venables.

Ahead of Week 1, Murray has received a one-game suspension for recruiting violations, per the official release from the NCAA.

"Recruiting violations occurred in the Oklahoma football program when assistant coach DeMarco Murray impermissibly contacted prospects and their families prior to the permissible time period, according to an agreement released by the Division I Committee on Infractions."

The violations include Murray "impermissibly" contacting 17 prospects over 16 months.

This included 65 phone calls and 36 text messages, although Murray stated he was not aware that the COVID-19 waiver rules had expired.

There are a lot of penalties Oklahoma was assessed in both track and field and football. Here are a few involving Murray with almost all of the following already being served:

• A prohibition against football staff from calling or corresponding with involved prospects from Aug. 1-31, 2023 (self-imposed).
• A limitation of Murray's 2023 football recruiting days to eight, down from an average 16.4 per recruiting coach (self-imposed).
• A prohibition from off-campus recruiting for Murray during the 2023 fall evaluation period (self-imposed).
• A three-week ban on recruiting phone and electronic correspondence for the football program from Dec. 8, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
• A prohibition against unofficial visits during the first game of the 2024 season.

Oklahoma also was hit with violations due to former track and field coach Tim Langford.

The Sooners open the season against Temple in Norman, but Murray will not be on the sidelines for that one. He will return in Week 2 against Houston.

Related: Ranking All 96 Games for Week 1 of the 2024 College Football Season