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Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray talks to a player on the sideline during a 2022 road game against TCU. (Photo by Emil Lippe/Getty Images)
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DeMarco Murray had been the consummate Oklahoma Sooner.
He spent five years at Oklahoma as a player, rushing for more than 3,600 yards and 50 touchdowns while twice earning first-team, All-Big-12 honors. He then was a Sooners coach from 2020 to 2025.
Though he had received NFL interest before, he took his first NFL job this offseason.
“When a guy like Andy Reid calls, it doesn’t take a lot to jump on board,” Murray said. “For me it was just the time.”
In his new job as Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach — replacing Todd Pinkston — Murray will be integral to resuscitating an area in which Kansas City struggled last year.
Not only did the Chiefs rank 25th in the NFL in rushing yards in 2025, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes also accounted for almost one-fourth of the team’s 1,812 rushing yards, and Kareem Hunt’s team-high 611 rushing yards was the lowest rushing total for any running back in the AFC who led their team in rushing.
“It’s a challenge,” Murray said. “Running the ball is hard to do.”
Fortunately for Murray, the Chiefs have made improving the running game a priority.
The Chiefs’ biggest offseason investment was running back Kenneth Walker. They signed the former Seattle Seahawks running back to a three-year, $43 million contract, including a $28.7 million guaranteed.
Early in the offseason practices, Walker has been impressive.
“A savvy veteran who does things the right way, works extremely hard,” Murray said, “he’s led the group the right way.”
Walker, of course, comes to the Chiefs fresh off winning Super Bowl LX MVP.
Though Murray only won one playoff game during his NFL career, he has accomplishments, which Walker has not achieved, including a Pro Bowl berth.
Murray received that honor three times while rushing for more than 7,000 yards as a player on the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans. He brings that valuable experience to the Chiefs running backs room.
“It always helps when you’ve played the position,” Murray said. “You have a little clout from that standpoint.”
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DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints on September 28, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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Murray may have played on the offensive side, but the Chiefs also leaned on his insight while bolstering their defense.
Before the Chiefs selected Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, they peppered Murray with questions, and Murray praised him as a team-first, high-character guy.
“What was really good was having insight from DeMarco Murray,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “DeMarco was great in sharing what he thought about R Mason.”
Murray shared his own coaching principles during the organized team activities (OTAs). They start with the basics: Emphasizing ball security and protecting the quarterback while instilling trust with each of his players.
“DeMarco is doing a hell of a job,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said. “I am very happy and satisfied with him.”
Bieniemy, who is back for a second stint as Chiefs offensive coordinator, actually recruited Murray when he was a running back coach at UCLA from 2003 to 2005.
Instead Murray enrolled at Oklahoma, where he carved out an impressive playing and coaching career before returning to the NFL in 2026.
“It was a hard decision. It wasn’t easy by any means with family and again a lot of close relationships,” Murray said. “That was home.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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