The Oklahoma Sooners made waves with the unexpected hiring of Deland McCullough as their new running backs coach, stepping into the shoes of DeMarco Murray. While McCullough wasn't on the radar for many fans or media outlets, his connections with the Sooners' coaching staff and his previous ties to the crimson and cream hinted at this move.
McCullough's coaching journey spans 15 years, including notable stints with Indiana, where he spent seven seasons coaching running backs. His time there was split between 2011-16 and a return in 2021 as an associate head coach. Most recently, he served as the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, following a period at Notre Dame.
A key connection in McCullough's career is with OU offensive analyst Kevin Wilson. Wilson, who was the head coach at Indiana during McCullough's first tenure, also played a pivotal role in McCullough's early career, offering him his first full-time Division-I coaching job. Their relationship dates back to Wilson's time as the offensive coordinator at Miami (OH), where McCullough played running back.
Interestingly, McCullough's ties to Oklahoma extend beyond the coaching staff. Two of his sons, Dasan and Daeh, were part of the Sooners' defense under Brent Venables.
While Daeh transferred to Western Michigan after a brief stint at OU, Dasan made a significant impact as a linebacker before finishing his college career at Nebraska. He's now gearing up as a prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Even after his sons moved on from Oklahoma, McCullough's relationship with the Sooners remained strong. With Wilson joining Venables' staff last year, the connections only deepened, paving the way for McCullough's return to Norman.
This hiring not only strengthens the Sooners' coaching lineup but also brings a wealth of experience and a personal connection to the program, setting the stage for an exciting chapter in Oklahoma football.