When Notre Dame lost their assistant head coach and running backs coach Deland McCullough to the Las Vegas Raiders last fall, many thought his NFL stint would last longer. Yet, here we are, with McCullough making a swift return to the college scene, this time joining the Oklahoma Sooners.
McCullough's brief NFL journey under the legendary Pete Carroll came to an unexpected halt after a challenging 2025 season led to Carroll's departure. With fewer opportunities available, McCullough found his way back to college football.
Notre Dame fans might feel a mix of emotions seeing McCullough back in the college ranks so soon. Despite their satisfaction with McCullough's successor, Ja'Juan Seider, who guided Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to new heights in 2025, McCullough's return stirs memories of his impactful tenure.
McCullough's coaching career has seen him navigate between the NFL and college football since 2000. This pattern might reassure Irish fans that his stint in Norman could be another stepping stone.
At Oklahoma, McCullough steps in for DeMarco Murray, who has moved on to join the Kansas City Chiefs staff. It's a full-circle moment, as McCullough himself spent time with the Chiefs before his previous return to college football.
Before his time at Notre Dame with Marcus Freeman, McCullough made his mark at Indiana. Adding an interesting twist, his son, Dasan McCullough, played for both Indiana and Oklahoma, wrapping up his college career this season at Nebraska.