Deland McCullough Returns to IU as Running Back Coach After Stint with K.C. Chiefs
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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
A source confirmed a report from Pro Football Scoop that Deland McCollough will be returning to Indiana to coach the running backs. McCullough spent the last two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs who lost in the Super Bowl Sunday night.
McCullough is no stranger to IU as he spent seven seasons in Bloomington from 2011-2016. Under McCollough the Hoosiers had three players (four times) cross the 1,000-yard mark in a season (Tevin Coleman, Jordan Howard and Devine Redding). In 2014, running back Tevin Coleman ran for over 2,000 yards.
McCullough left IU after the 2016 season to take the running backs coach position at Southern California before making the move to the NFL. He will replace Mike Hart who left the same position (2017-2020) to become the running backs coach at Michigan.
McCullough voiced his excitement in a release from the university on Monday. “The opportunity to return to IU in this role is very special to me and my family for a host of reasons," McCullough said. "Coach Allen has done an amazing job of galvanizing and advancing the program's culture, which has been displayed by success on the field. I welcome the challenges and glory of being a part of helping Indiana Football win championships. I have been fortunate to have won a championship on the ultimate stage in the NFL, and I know what it looks like and how it feels. I believe that Indiana University is primed to not only CHASE, but to capture championships in football, and I can't wait to contribute."
Indiana head coach Tom Allen welcomed McCullough in the same release.
“I could not be happier to welcome Deland, his wife Darnell, and the McCullough family back home to Bloomington," Allen said. "Deland's a first-class person that has gone on to do great things in the NFL. He has won a Super Bowl, worked with a Hall of Fame coach and helped develop some of the most dynamic players and offenses in football. I cannot wait to bring his winning mindset to our program."
In his seven years in the collegiate coaching ranks, McCullough has mentored seven 1,000-yard running backs, including five from 2014-17. Two of his backs earned All-America honors and nine secured all-conference recognition.
All five of his featured rushers - Stephen Houston, Tevin Coleman, Jordan Howard, Devine Redding and Ronald Jones - reached the NFL.
During his first run in Bloomington, the Hoosiers set 19 program rushing records. McCullough was named the 2014 BTN.com running backs coach of the year.