Coach Murrell was born in Kingsport Tennessee and is a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School where he first became involved in running. He ran Cross Country and Track at Clemson University and received his Bachelor Degree in Recreation and Parks Administration in 1969. After graduation from Clemson, he served two years in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg NC and the 173rd Airborne Division in the Republic of South Viet Nam. 

Coach Murrell received his Master’s Degree in Physical Education from East Tennessee State University 1972. While at ETSU he served as a Graduate Assistant under Coach Dave Walker. During that time the ETSU Cross Country team finished second in the NCAA Championships and had the individual Champion, Neil Cusack. He served as the Head Cross Country and Track Coach at Tennessee High School from 1974 through 2004. Coach Murrell was selected as the Conference and/or Regional Coach of the Year on multiple occasions. He was also nominated twice for State Coach of the Year honors. 

In 2002 Coach Murrell retired from teaching and moved to an assistant position in Track and Field at THS. He continued as Head Cross Country Coach and began work with the American Cancer Society as Director of the Sullivan Co. Relay For Life. 

n 2004 Coach Murrell became the Head Cross Country Coach at King College and started the first track and field program there in 2005. Before retiring in the spring of 2008 King produced 28 All Americans; 4 individual National Champions and had one Team National Championship top ten finish.

In 2013 Coach Murrell returned to Tennessee High School as an assistant track coach and is currently working with Distance runners and Pole Vaulters. He is also the Head Cross Country Coach for Tennessee Middle School.