Oklahoma Sooners players’ reactions to DeMarco Murray’s jump to the NFL shows Kansas City Chiefs exactly what they’re getting
New Chiefs RBs coach DeMarco Murray had a profound impact on those he coached at Oklahoma.
The Kansas City Chiefs have a new running backs coach, bringing former Dallas Cowboys star DeMarco Murray back to the NFL after spending the past six seasons coaching the running backs for his alma mater, the Oklahoma Sooners.
While Sooners fans grew frustrated with a perceived lack of development among running backs under Murray in recent years, they almost universally praise his ability to recruit top prospects to the program. That skill set might not directly translate to the NFL, given there’s really no recruiting process beyond convincing free agents to sign with your club. However, at its core, it’s all about cultivating a connection with players, which is essential at the NFL level.
If you’re looking to find out the type of coach the team is getting in Murray, look no further than the response from his players upon learning that he’d be leaving the Oklahoma program to join the Chiefs.
New Chiefs RB coach DeMarco Murray is the ultimate players’ coach
As a former star for the Sooners and an NFL All-Pro, Murray has a reputation as a players’ coach because he’s been there and done that every step of the way. You can tell exactly what his guidance has meant to every one of his players by their response.
Tory Blaylock, the son of former Chiefs RB Derrick Blaylock, only got one season with Murray, as a freshman in 2025. In one brief post on X (formerly Twitter), Murray’s impact is made incredibly apparent.
Sophomore RB Xavier Robinson echoed the response of Blaylock, posting an image of him celebrating with Coach Murray on the sidelines with a single emoji.
Former players coached by Murray also took to social media to express exactly what he meant to them.
“No matter what anyone says, DeMarco Murray changed my life,” former Sooners RB Jaden Knowles wrote. “He coached me into the man I am today and the reason I’m in the position I’m in as a meteorologist. He taught me how to be a great running back but more importantly, how to be a great man. Proud of you, Coach.”
Even the prospects who were recruited by Murray, who have yet to play for him at Oklahoma, were out sending him congratulations after the news broke that he’d be joining the Chiefs.
“Congratulations Coach wishing the best for you and family,” five-star commit Micah Rhodes wrote.
No matter the outside perception of Murray’s time as a coach at Oklahoma, he clearly had a profound impact on those he coached. The Chiefs should be wildly confident in his ability to coach, teach, and mentor players at the next level, especially given the response he received from the players he coached in college.
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