Oklahoma Coach Suspended for Recruiting Violations

Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray will serve a one-game suspension for recruiting violations over a 16-month period, including 65 impermissible phone calls and 36 text messages to 17 prospects. Murray claimed he was unaware that a COVID-19 waiver on recruiting rules had expired, though the NCAA found that the school had properly educated its coaches. Head coach Brent Venables was deemed to have violated head coach responsibility rules but avoided suspension due to lack of personal involvement and efforts to maintain compliance. Additional penalties for Oklahoma include a $5,000 fine, one year of probation, and several self-imposed recruiting restrictions. Former track and field coach Tim Langford also violated NCAA rules by directing a female athlete to redistribute her scholarship funds, resulting in a show-cause order against him.