Head coach James Franklin and the Penn State staff will not be joined by a former NFL All-Pro running back after extending a coaching offer, according to a report on Wednesday. Franklin’s Nittany Lions are searching for a replacement at running backs coach following the departure of Ja’Juan Seider to Notre Dame on Tuesday.
Penn State finished with a program-best 13 wins and the first College Football Playoff appearance in Nittany Lions’ history last season before missing the national championship game with a 3-point loss to the Fighting Irish in the semifinals.
The future at running back looks extremely bright with the return of the top-two leading rushers in Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. The search will have to continue, however, as former Oklahoma running back and NFL star, DeMarco Murray, has reportedly rejected Penn State’s offer to fill the void, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Murray, 37, has spent the last five seasons at his alma mater coaching tailbacks after serving in the same role at Arizona in 2019. The Las Vegas native was kept on the Sooners’ staff during the coaching transition from Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables in 2022.
Murray set multiple career-records at Oklahoma from 2006-10, including rushing touchdowns (63) and scrimmage yards (5,256), before signing with the Dallas Cowboys as a third-round pick in 2011. The two-time All-Big 12 selection went on to lead the NFL in rushing in 2014, the same season he earned All-Pro and NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. Murray spent the next season with the Philadelphia Eagles before finishing his career as a Tennessee Titan from 2016-17.
According to the report, Murray “developed a rapport” with new Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle since his hiring on Dec. 2, a factor in his decision to remain with the Sooners. Oklahoma finished its first season in the SEC at 6-7 under Venables, who is headed into his fourth season at the helm.
In regards to Penn State’s search, the position is believed to be a coveted one with aforementioned Allen and Singleton back in the fold. The pair was the only running back duo in the FBS to each rush for over 1,000 yards in 2024. The Nittany Lions will open the 2025 season at home against Nevada on Aug. 30.
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