Demarco Murray Will Serve A One-Game Suspension For Recruiting Violations

The Oklahoma football program faced recruiting violations when assistant coach DeMarco Murray contacted 17 prospects and their families improperly, making 65 unauthorized phone calls and 36 texts over 16 months.

Murray mistakenly thought the COVID-19 recruiting waiver was still in effect. The investigation showed the school had adequately trained coaches on recruiting rules. The case originated August 28, 2023, when Oklahoma reported NCAA violations related to impermissible recruiting contact between Murray and 17 football prospective student-athletes.

Head coach Brent Venables was presumed responsible for staff actions but was not involved in the violations and showed compliance efforts. As some violations occurred before January 2023 changes in responsibility rules, Venables successfully rebutted some charges and avoided suspension. The university, Venables, and Murray agreed on Level II-mitigated penalties based on approved guidelines.

1. One year of probation.
2. A $5,000 fine.
3. A one-game suspension for Murray during the 2024 football season.
4. A prohibition against football staff calling the involved prospects during the May 29-June 11, 2022, and April 15-May 31, 2023, periods (self-imposed).
5. A 20% reduction in football recruiting days in spring 2023 (self-imposed).
6. A prohibition against football staff from calling or corresponding with involved prospects from Aug. 1-31, 2023 (self-imposed).
7. A limitation of Murray's 2023 football recruiting days to eight, down from an average 16.4 per recruiting coach (self-imposed).
8. A prohibition from off-campus recruiting for Murray during the 2023 fall evaluation period (self-imposed).
9. A three-week ban on recruiting phone and electronic correspondence for the football program from Dec. 8, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
10. A prohibition against unofficial visits during the first game of the 2024 season.