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Former Titans RB Turns Down Major College Coaching Job

A former Tennessee Titans running back was in the mix for a big-time coaching job in the collegiate ranks.
Zach Dimmitt|
Dec 10, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Dec 10, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images | Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

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Former Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray has emerged as an intriguing name in the college coaching ranks, but he's not changing scenery just yet.

On3's Pete Nakos reported Tuesday that Murray, the current running backs coach for the Oklahoma Sooners, had conversations with the Penn State Nittany Lions about their vacancy for the same position. Despite the mutual interest, the 37-year-old will be staying in Norman for the time being.

Nakos wrote that Penn State made a "strong pitch" to Murray before he decided to remain at his alma mater.

"The expectation is DeMarco Murray will stay at Oklahoma, multiple sources tell On3Sports," Nakos tweeted. "He's developed a rapport with new OC Ben Arbuckle. Penn State made a strong pitch to Murray, but he ultimately decided to stay in Norman."

Murray played four stellar seasons at Oklahoma before becoming a third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2011. He eventually finished as the league's leading rusher in 2014, which earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors and a third-place finish in the MVP voting.

The Cowboys didn't re-sign Murray, however, which allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to ink him to a five-year, $40 million contract in 2015. But after just one season there, he was traded to the Titans in March 2017.

During two seasons with Tennessee, Murray started all 31 games he played in while posting 477 carries for 1,946 yards and 15 touchdowns along with 92 catches for 643 yards and four more scores.

With the arrival of Derrick Henry in 2016, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Murray, who had injuries and age catch up to him. The Titans released Murray in March 2018, and he retired from pro football just a few months later.

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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