Oklahoma Sooners football program dodged a bullet with one of its most important staff members
The Oklahoma Sooners really just dodged a bullet with a potentially huge issue with their coaching staff. The Sooners have experienced a tumultuous offseason in 2025. While they've lost several players to the transfer portal, they've also managed to bring in some impressive talent. However, the team has faced additional challenges with the departure of […]
The Oklahoma Sooners really just dodged a bullet with a potentially huge issue with their coaching staff. The Sooners have experienced a tumultuous offseason in 2025. While they've lost several players to the transfer portal, they've also managed to bring in some impressive talent.
However, the team has faced additional challenges with the departure of key staff members, including general manager Curtis Lofton, assistant general manager Chuck Lillie, linebackers coach, and defensive coordinator Zac Alley.
To add to it all, the Sooners were unable to secure Jim Knowles as their new defensive coordinator. Despite these setbacks, head coach Brent Venables has remained steadfast in his commitment to keeping the program thriving. However, on Tuesday, news broke—likely not a surprise to Venables—that may have dealt a significant blow to the team.
There were rumors via Pete Nakos of On3, that running backs coach DeMarco Murray, who is also a former player, was contemplating leaving for the same position at Penn State under James Franklin.
That would have been terrible news for the Sooners, especially factoring in everything that has already happened in just the last few months. And, think about it, Murray is one of the Sooners best recruiting tools when it comes to getting running backs.
Kids who play the position in high school want to learn from a guy who had seven great years playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Luckily for the Sooners, fans can finally exhale. The new news seems to be much more positive.
On Wednesday Nakos reported that Murray has changed his mind, as he has built a great rapport with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. That's some of the best news they could have gotten.
The Sooners have recruited the running back position pretty well, and if Murray is sticking around, then that should only continue.
Oklahoma Sooners football program may be on the verge of losing one of their greatest recruiting tools
That’s just terrible news.
