Murray, Beaty go way back
NORMAN — David Beaty never got a chance to coach Kyler Murray.
By the time Murray signed with Texas A&M in February 2015, Beaty had been Kansas’ head coach for a couple months.
But Beaty was a big part of the reason why Murray wound up at Texas A&M out of high school and that relationship continues.
Beaty was the Aggies’ wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator when Murray made his decision to follow in his father’s footsteps in College Station. Murray will play what could be his final collegiate home start with Beaty across the sidelines when the No. 6 Sooners host the Jayhawks on Saturday (6:30 p.m., Fox).
Beaty, Murray and his family bonded over their shared Texas roots.
“One of the coolest guys I’ve dealt with in the recruiting process,” Murray said Monday. “Obviously with him being an Aggie … him and my dad were boys.
“He’s really like family
to me, honestly. There’s not much more to say other than I’ll see him on Saturday, I’ll dap him up and we’ll be all cool.”
It’s safe to say Beaty feels similarly.
“I love ’em like they’re family,” Beaty said. “That’s how close we got with them. I love to see him going well all year except for one game.
“It’s going to be fun to see him in Norman.”
Beaty was one of the first college coaches to heavily pursue Murray, looking past his slight stature and envisioning the playmaker he could become.
“Not really,” Beaty said when asked if Murray was outperforming even his expectations. “The reason I say that is that when I watched him so much throughout his school years, where if I’m not mistaken I don’t think he lost a ballgame one from the time he took over — just watching this guy control that game week in and week out, you could tell he had something special about him, more than just the ability.
“He might be one of the fastest dudes you’ve ever seen back there in the pocket, he’s got unbelievable accuracy, one of the quickest releases you’ve ever seen, but he’s got a moxy to him that’s really unique. People are drawn to him. He’s got a poise about him and, you know what, he’s just a fun guy to watch play.”
Beaty, who has already been told he won’t be back to coach the Jayhawks after this year, even campaigned for Murray for the Heisman Trophy.
“I don’t know how the rest of the season’s going to play out with who’s going to take home that big trophy but I’ve certainly seen a guy that deserves it with what he’s done throughout the season,” Beaty said.