How Oklahoma Legend DeMarco Murray Is Fitting In With The Chiefs

BusinessSportsMoneyHow Oklahoma Legend DeMarco Murray Is Fitting In With The ChiefsByJeff Fedotin,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jeff Fedotin covers the Kansas City Chiefs and sports business.Follow AuthorJun 04, 2026, 08:15am EDTOklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray talks to a player on the sideline during a 2022 road game against TCU. (Photo by Emil Lippe/Getty Images)Getty ImagesDeMarco Murray had been the consummate Oklahoma Sooner.He spent five years at Oklahoma as a player, rushing for more than 3,600 yards and 50 touchdowns while twice earning first-team, All-Big-12 honors. He then was a Sooners coach from 2020 to 2025.Though he had received NFL interest before, he took his first NFL job this offseason.“When a guy like Andy Reid calls, it doesn’t take a lot to jump on board,” Murray said. “For me it was just the time.”In his new job as Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach — replacing Todd Pinkston — Murray will be integral to resuscitating an area in which Kansas City struggled last year.Not only did the Chiefs rank 25th in the NFL in rushing yards in 2025, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes also accounted for almost one-fourth of the team’s 1,812 rushing yards, and Kareem Hunt’s team-high 611 rushing yards was the lowest rushing total for any running back in the AFC who led their team in rushing.“It’s a challenge,” Murray said. “Running the ball is hard to do.”Fortunately for Murray, the Chiefs have made improving the running game a priority.MORE FOR YOUThe Chiefs’ biggest offseason investment was running back Kenneth Walker. They signed the former Seattle Seahawks running back to a three-year, $43 million contract, including a $28.7 million guaranteed.Early in the offseason practices, Walker has been impressive.“A savvy veteran who does things the right way, works extremely hard,” Murray said, “he’s led the group the right way.”Walker, of course, comes to the Chiefs fresh off winning Super Bowl LX MVP....