DeMarco Murray Heads to NFL, Leaving Another Hole on Brent Venables’ Staff
Brent Venables is facing his third staff shakeup of the offseason-and this one hits close to home.
DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma’s running backs coach since 2020 and one of the most recognizable names in program history, is heading to the NFL. He’s joining the Kansas City Chiefs in the same role, stepping into a high-powered offensive environment under head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
This wasn’t a snap decision. Murray had previously turned down multiple offers from both NFL organizations and major college programs. But the pull of coaching in the pros-especially with a franchise that’s claimed three Super Bowl titles in the last eight years-was finally too strong to resist.
For Oklahoma, it’s the second major departure to the NFL this month. Just days ago, cornerbacks coach Jay Valai accepted a job with the Buffalo Bills, ending a four-year run in Norman. That makes two key assistants gone in a matter of weeks, and both are now coaching on Sundays.
And that’s not all. Earlier this offseason, Venables made a notable change on the offensive side of the ball, parting ways with tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley.
In his place? None other than longtime NFL star Jason Witten, who will now bring his wealth of experience to the Sooners’ tight end room.
So now, with spring practices around the corner and a crucial season looming, Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle are once again in hiring mode-this time looking for someone to lead a running back group that’s got talent, but also plenty of questions.
Whoever steps into Murray’s shoes will inherit a room that returns Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock, while also adding Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant. The Sooners are also bringing in two promising 2026 signees in Jonathan Hatton and DeZephen Walker. It’s a group with potential, but one that’ll need strong development and leadership to help lift an offense that had its share of ups and downs in Arbuckle’s first year at the helm.
The Sooners are aiming higher this season-looking to clean up inconsistencies, generate more explosive plays, and punch their ticket back to the College Football Playoff. But before any of that can happen, Venables and Arbuckle need to find the right voice to guide the running backs.
The search is on.