The UA announced Friday that DeMarco Murray, a former NFL All-Pro running back, has been hired as the team’s new running backs coach.
The Star reported Wednesday that Murray was the Wildcats’ choice. It’ll be the first-ever coaching assignment for Murray, a 30-year-old who spent the 2018 season as a television analyst for Fox Sports.
He played seven NFL seasons with the Cowboys, Eagles and Titans, rushing for 7,174 yards. Murray retired from the game a year ago, but made it clear he wanted to stay in football.
Murray reached out to UA coach Kevin Sumlin last month, after Clarence McKinney — the Wildcats’ former running backs coach — was named head coach at Texas Southern. The connection made sense: Murray played collegiately at Oklahoma, where Sumlin served as an assistant at the time.
Murray accepted the job earlier this week, and the UA waited to announce the hire until his paperwork was complete.
"DeMarco brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our running back room," Sumlin said in a news release. "That, with his attention to detail, passion for the game and passion for impacting others will make him a great addition. Our entire staff is excited for him to join our organization."
Murray said he is "humbled to have the opportunity to start my coaching career with Coach Sumlin and the University of Arizona."
"My family and I are thrilled to become a part of the Tucson community, and I can't wait to get started," he said.
Murray grew up in Las Vegas, and starred at Bishop Gorman High School. Murray won 43 games in four seasons at Oklahoma. His 2011 team, which featured Sumlin as the co-offensive coordinator, won the Fiesta Bowl.
Murray was a four-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree during his college career. He earned a degree in communications from OU.
Check out some photos of Murray in action here:
Photos: New Arizona Wildcats running backs coach DeMarco Murray
Cowboys Seahawks Football
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Dallas running back DeMarco Murray runs through Seattle defensive back Richard Sherman during the teams' game on Oct. 12, 2014.
Cowboys Raiders Football
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Dallas Cowboys' DeMarco Murray scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at AT&T Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in Arlington, Texas.
Cowboys Eagles Football
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DeMarco Murray, an All-Pro for the Dallas Cowboys in 2014, is set to become the running backs coach at Arizona.
Cowboys Bears Football
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Ex-Wildcat Lance Briggs beats Dallas' DeMarco Murray to the end zone on a 74-yard interception return. "I haven't run that long in a long time," Briggs said after the 2012 game.
Cowboys Giants Football
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Dallas running back DeMarco Murray eludes New York Giants free safety Will Hill during the second half of Sunday’s game in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys prevailed, 24-21.
Cowboys Dolphins Football
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Dallas' DeMarco Murray churned out 27 yards on five carries in the final drive to run down the clock and help set up the game-winning field goal during a game against the Miami Dolphins in 2011.
2014: Pro Bowl
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DeMarco Murray caught a 20-yard pass for a touchdown and Mike Tolbert plunged into the end zone for a 2-point conversion with less than 1 minute to give Jerry Rice's team a 22-21 win over Deion Sanders' team in the first schoolyard-style Pro Bowl.
Oklahoma Football
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Oklahoma Football
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Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray (7) carries for a touchdown against Nebraska in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008.
Oklahoma Football
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Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford hands off to teammate DeMarco Murray, right, in the second quarter of a college football game against Miami, in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sep. 8, 2007.
Titans Colts Football
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Tennessee Titans' DeMarco Murray (29) runs against Indianapolis Colts' Pierre Desir during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. Tennessee won 20-16. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Titans Packers Football
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DeMarco Murray played for the Tennessee Titans in 2016 and '17 and reportedly is considering coming to Arizona as the Wildcats' RB coach.
Titans Steelers Football
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Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh.
Titans Texans Football
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Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans Jaguars Football
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Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell (93) after rushing for yardage during the second half an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Titans won 37-16.
Titans Colts Football
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Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray, left, leaves Seattle Seahawks defenders behind as he scores on a 75-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 24, 2017.
Titans Football
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Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Oct. 22, 2017.
Titans Bengals Football
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Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) celebrates in front of Cincinnati Bengals free safety George Iloka (43) after Murray scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans Steelers Football
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Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh.
Titans Cardinals Football
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Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs with the ball as he tries to shake off Arizona Cardinals strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oklahoma Texas Football
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Fox Sports studio analyst DeMarco Murray on set at the State Fair of Texas prior to an NCAA college football game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Dallas.
