Head coach James Franklin and the Penn State coaching staff will not be joined by a former NFL All-Pro running back after extending a coaching offer, as reported on Wednesday.
Franklin’s Nittany Lions are on the lookout for a new running backs coach following Ja’Juan Seider’s departure to Notre Dame on Tuesday.
Last season, Penn State achieved a program-best 13 victories and made their first appearance in the College Football Playoff, narrowly missing the national championship game with a 3-point loss to the Fighting Irish in the semifinals.
The running back position looks promising, with the return of top rushers Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton.
However, the search must continue, as former Oklahoma running back and NFL star DeMarco Murray has reportedly declined Penn State’s offer to take on the role, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Murray, 37, has spent the past five seasons coaching running backs at his alma mater after holding a similar position at Arizona in 2019. The Las Vegas native remained on the Sooners’ coaching staff during the transition from Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables in 2022.
During his time at Oklahoma from 2006 to 2010, Murray set numerous career records, including rushing touchdowns (63) and total scrimmage yards (5,256), before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round in 2011.
A two-time All-Big 12 selection, he led the NFL in rushing in 2014, earning All-Pro and NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors that same season. Murray spent the following year with the Philadelphia Eagles and concluded his career with the Tennessee Titans from 2016 to 2017.
According to reports, Murray “developed a rapport” with new Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle since he was hired on December 2, which influenced his decision to stay with the Sooners.
Under Venables, Oklahoma finished its first season in the SEC with a record of 6-7, with Venables entering his fourth year as head coach.
Regarding Penn State’s search, the running backs coach position is regarded as highly desirable, especially with Allen and Singleton returning. This duo was the only pair of running backs in the FBS to each surpass 1,000 rushing yards in 2024.
The Nittany Lions are set to kick off the 2025 season at home against Nevada on August 30.
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