Oklahoma running back coach and former Dallas Cowboys star DeMarco Murray has emerged as a candidate for Penn State football’s opening at running back coach, according to Pete Nakos of On3.

On3 reports that there have been multiple phone calls between James Franklin and Murray over the last few days, with both sides expressing strong interest in each other. The open position comes after Ja’Juan Seider reportedly accepted the Notre Dame running back job, with Franklin confirming on Tuesday that Seider was no longer with the Penn State program.

Murray’s six running backs recorded 1,359 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Sooners last year.

Murray joined the Sooners in 2020 and has been their running backs coach since. The former Cowboy helped develop talents such as Rhamondre Stevenson and Marcus Major while in Norman. He also spent one year as the running backs coach for Arizona.

As a player, Murray was a star for Oklahoma and led his team to three Big 12 championships. He then went on to have a seven-year career in the NFL, spending most of his time with the Cowboys. In 2014, he was the NFL rushing yards leader, Offensive Player of the Year, and was named to the Pro Bowl.

Franklin expressed Tuesday that he will only bring in a coach that both Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen agree with. Singleton and Kaytron were both 1000-yard rushers in 2024 and are returning for the 2025 season despite draft eligibility.