OU football to hire Deland McCullough as Sooners’ new RBs coach
NORMAN — Oklahoma football has found its next running backs coach.
The Sooners are expected to hire former Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough to replace DeMarco Murray, who departed for the Kansas City Chiefs last week, The Oklahoman confirmed. McCullough is one of the most respected running backs coaches at any level.
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McCullough, a veteran who has coached running backs for 15 years, mentored Ashton Jeanty last season with the Raiders. ESPN was first to report the expected hiring.
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Apr 20, 2024; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Gold team coach Deland McCullough celebrates after a touchdown in the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to Las Vegas, McCullough previously coached the position at Indiana, USC, Notre Dame and with the Chiefs. McCullough was instrumental in former Fighting Irish star Jeremiyah Love’s development as well.
During his time with the Hoosiers, he coached under former IU coach Kevin Wilson, now an OU analyst.
McCullough’s two sons — linebacker Dasan and defensive back Daeh — previously played for the Sooners and McCullough has a strong relationship with Brent Venables.
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Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football to hire Deland McCullough as running backs coach