With a week until Signing Day, the Arizona Football team was dealt a huge blow with the departure of running backs coach, DeMarco Murray.
As we’re all too familiar, staffing changes happen in college football, and this has certainly been no different for the Arizona Football program. If you’ve been paying attention, this off-season has been an especially busy for the Wildcats.
We’ve already replaced former defensive coordinator Marcel Yates with Paul Rhoads, former defensive line coach Iona Uiagalelei with Stan Eggen and former defensive backs John Rushing with Andy Buh.
Arizona Wildcats
Now it looks Arizona is going to have to replace another coach, this time it’s a valuable piece in running backs coach, DeMarco Murray.
As you may recall, Murray came to Tucson last season after spending seven rather successful seasons in the NFL as a player, to coach the running backs in college. Being that it was just his first season as a coach, Murray seemed to do a rather solid job.
Additionally, having a former pro like Murray on the recruiting front doesn’t hurt either!
Well, as I’m sure many anticipated, it was only going to be a matter of time until Murray would be enticed elsewhere, and with an opening at Oklahoma (his Alma Mater), the decision was easy.
The Sooners moved quickly to interview and make an offer, and on Monday it became official as the Wildcats part ways with coach Murray.
https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/1221878144052887552?s=20
The move is certainly sad and disappointing, but you surely can’t blame Murray for wanting to coach at his Alma Mater.
Now Arizona will have to move quickly in order to find a suitable replacement to Murray, although trying to replace a former pro bowl running back turned coach is no easy feat!
One name already surfacing is former UNLV head coach, Tony Sanchez, who is well-regarded and also has some strong recruiting ties to Las Vegas, since he actually had coached at the perennially talented high school, Bishop Gorman!
Sources indicate one name to watch out for with the Arizona vacancy is former UNLV coach Tony Sanchez. Interviewed at Boise State this past weekend as well.
— stunna (@stunnaIo) January 27, 2020
Either way, at Zona Zealots, we wish coach Murray the best and will miss him on the Arizona sidelines! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!