As the Kansas City Chiefs continue to assess their coaching staff this offseason, Deland McCullough has emerged as a name to monitor for the running backs coach position. McCullough is a familiar figure
in Kansas City, having held the role from 2018 through the 2020 season, a span that included a Super Bowl LIV championship and consecutive AFC titles.
During his initial tenure with the Chiefs, McCullough coached a deep and rotating backfield that featured Kareem Hunt, Damien Williams, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon and Darrel Williams. His units were consistently trusted in pass protection and situational football, aligning closely with Andy Reid’s offensive priorities during that stretch.
After the 2020 season, McCullough returned to the college ranks. He spent time at Indiana before joining Notre Dame as running backs coach and associate head coach, where he helped oversee a productive ground attack. While in South Bend, McCullough coached Jeremiyah Love, a highly regarded running back who developed into one of the nation’s most explosive offensive players. McCullough played a significant role in Love’s recruitment and was closely involved in his development at Notre Dame.
Love has since become a common fixture in early mock drafts, with draft analysts Mel Kiper projecting him to Kansas City at No. 9 overall. There is no indication the Chiefs’ interest in McCullough would be tied to any specific draft plan, and league sources consistently caution against linking coaching hires to future draft outcomes. Still, the overlap is worth noting given McCullough’s familiarity with both the Chiefs’ system and a prospect who may be on their draft board.
Most recently, McCullough returned to the NFL as the Las Vegas Raiders’ running backs coach, reestablishing his presence at the professional level. As the Chiefs weigh experience, continuity and player development, McCullough’s résumé provides a logical reference point — even if some connections ultimately prove coincidental.
