Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray, a former star player for the university, has been handed a one-game suspension this season by the NCAA after being found involved in recruiting violations, as announced on Tuesday. The violations, determined by the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions, involved Murray impermissibly contacting prospects and their families before he was allowed to do so.

According to the NCAA findings, Murray had improperly reached out to 17 prospects over a span of 16 months, resulting in 65 impermissible phone calls and 36 impermissible text messages. The NCAA also revealed that Murray claimed he was not aware that the COVID-19 waiver, which allowed certain contact during the pandemic, had expired.

During the investigation, it was determined that the Oklahoma football program had properly educated its coaching staff on recruiting rules and any changes to them. However, the violations committed by Murray were deemed to be in breach of these rules.

The University of Oklahoma has not disclosed which game Murray's suspension will be served during. Additionally, the NCAA also uncovered further violations in the university's track and field program, relating to improper distribution of scholarship funds. As a result, both football coach Brent Venables and former track and field coach Tim Langford were found to have violated head coach responsibility rules.

In response to the violations, Oklahoma has agreed to one year of probation and a $5,000 fine. The NCAA has imposed a three-week ban on recruiting phone and electronic correspondence between December 8, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Furthermore, the football program will not be allowed to host any unofficial visits during their season opener against Temple on Friday.

The university has already implemented self-imposed penalties, including a 20% reduction in football spring recruiting days and a decrease in Murray's recruiting days from 16.4 to eight, which were served in 2023. The NCAA considers these penalties to be Level II mitigated penalties.

Although head coaches are presumed responsible for the actions of their staff, Venables has been exempted from suspension due to his demonstrated commitment to promoting compliance and monitoring his team. The NCAA acknowledged that Venables was not directly involved in the violations.

The NCAA's investigation also revealed that Oklahoma's compliance department had adequate monitoring systems in place for phone conversations. However, due to the recruits not being of age, their profiles had not been uploaded by the football recruiting staff, resulting in a two-month lag in producing phone records.

DeMarco Murray, who holds multiple records at Oklahoma and was named the 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, will now have to serve his suspension. Meanwhile, Coach Brent Venables is expected to address the media during the SEC teleconference as the Sooners gear up for their first season in the conference.