Kansas City Chiefs Add DeMarco Murray as New Running Backs Coach Amid Coaching Staff Overhaul
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The Kansas City Chiefs have undergone significant changes to their coaching staff this offseason, and now the final piece of their reset has reportedly been put into place with the hire of DeMarco Murray as the new running backs coach. According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, Murray, the former NFL running back and most recently the University of Oklahoma’s running backs coach, will be joining the Chiefs for the 2026 season. This news follows earlier reports from Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, who highlighted Murray as an emerging candidate for the position.

Murray’s Transition from NFL Star to Coach

After a highly successful NFL career, Murray has made a smooth transition into coaching. He spent seven seasons in the NFL, most notably with the Dallas Cowboys, where he earned three Pro Bowl selections and had an outstanding 2014 season. That year, Murray was awarded the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns. His stellar career culminated in a retirement at the age of 30, with 7,174 rushing yards and 49 rushing touchdowns to his name.

Post-retirement, Murray took a brief break from football before diving into the coaching world. He began analyzing college football in 2018 and then took his first coaching position at the University of Arizona. His career quickly accelerated when he returned to his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, where he had been a first-team All-Big 12 running back and was a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Since 2020, Murray has been Oklahoma’s running backs coach, where he helped develop young talent and further honed his coaching skills.

A Coaching Journey That Prepares Murray for the NFL

Murray’s journey into coaching is a natural progression for someone who had a distinguished playing career and a deep understanding of the game. His experience in both the NFL and college football gives him a unique perspective that will serve him well as he steps into the NFL coaching ranks. At 38 years old, he’s entering his first season as an NFL coach, but his wealth of playing experience and recent coaching stints will certainly make him a valuable asset to the Chiefs’ staff.

As the new running backs coach, Murray will be tasked with developing the Chiefs’ running backs, helping them reach their full potential in an offense that has historically relied heavily on Patrick Mahomes’ arm and Travis Kelce’s receiving ability. With the addition of Murray, the Chiefs are hoping to inject some stability and production into their backfield, which has seen mixed results over the years.

Murray Joins a New-Look Chiefs Coaching Staff

Murray will join Chad O’Shea, who was recently named the Chiefs’ new wide receivers coach, as the latest new position coaches to join the franchise. Together, they will work to set the tone for the Chiefs’ revamped coaching staff under Eric Bieniemy in his second stint as offensive coordinator. Bieniemy, who has been integral to the Chiefs’ success over the years, will now have a new-look offensive coaching staff to help him build on the team’s already elite offensive system.

The Chiefs had also requested to interview Deland McCullough, who had previously been the Chiefs’ running backs coach before moving to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024. However, it appears McCullough will remain with the Raiders under their new head coach, Klay Kubiak, making Murray the Chiefs’ top choice for the role.

What Murray Brings to the Chiefs’ Offense

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco, and other backs in the fold, Murray will have an exciting opportunity to shape the Chiefs’ backfield and develop young talent. His experience as a player, where he dominated as both a runner and a pass-catcher, will be invaluable in helping Kansas City’s running backs become more versatile and dangerous in both the ground game and the passing game. As the Chiefs look to balance their high-powered passing attack with a more effective and reliable rushing game, Murray will play a crucial role in helping the team reach its offensive potential.

Murray’s appointment as the running backs coach brings a fresh perspective to the Chiefs’ coaching staff. His ability to develop and maximize the talents of his players will be a key factor in whether Kansas City can take the next step offensively. With the leadership of Eric Bieniemy and the addition of new coaches like Murray, the Chiefs will look to get back to Super Bowl contention and continue to evolve their already explosive offense.

Emily Bicks covers the NFL for Heavy.com, focusing on the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Kansas City Chiefs. She has contributed to Heavy since 2019 and has interviewed some of the biggest stars in sports, including Jerry Rice, Shaquille O’Neal, and Stefon Diggs. With her extensive sports journalism experience, Bicks provides expert analysis on all NFL-related content.

Key Takeaways:

• DeMarco Murray has been hired as the Kansas City Chiefs’ new running backs coach, following his successful tenure at the University of Oklahoma.

• Murray, a three-time Pro Bowler and 2014 AP Offensive Player of the Year, brings a wealth of experience as both a former player and coach.

• The Chiefs are looking to develop a more balanced offense under Eric Bieniemy, with Murray playing a crucial role in improving the team’s running game.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Chiefs’ revamped coaching staff and their preparations for the 2026 NFL season!