Multiple quiet connections led new RB coach Deland McCullough to Oklahoma

Although Deland McCullough was initially a surprise hire to replace DeMarco Murray as Oklahoma's new running backs coach, there were plenty of signs that should have foreshadowed the move, but candidates with more obvious connections to the Sooners made McCullough an under-the-radar option.

News broke early Wednesday morning that the Sooners were expected to hire McCullough as their new RB coach, surprising most OU fans after McCullough wasn't mentioned on any candidate hot boards from media outlets during the search process. However, McCullough already has a relationship with nearly all of Brent Venables' coaching staff and has repped the crimson and cream before.

Deland McCullough coached under OU assistant Kevin Wilson before his sons were Sooners

During McCullough's 15-year coaching career, he spent seven seasons coaching running backs for Indiana between two different stints in 2011-16, then again for one season in 2021, when he also held the title of associate head coach. He was most recently the Las Vegas Raiders' running backs coach this past season and was at Notre Dame before that.

OU offensive analyst Kevin Wilson was the Hoosiers' head coach during all of McCullough's first stint at Indiana. Wilson was also the offensive coordinator at Miami (OH) during McCullough's entire time playing running back for the RedHawks, ultimately leading Wilson to give McCullough his first full-time job in Division-I college football.

However, Wilson returning to OU last year wasn't what initially led McCullough to Norman for the first time. Two of McCullough's four sons, Dasan and Daeh, played on the Sooners' defense under Venables before transferring. Daeh didn't get any playing time as a freshman defensive back in 2023-24 before heading to Louisville. He just transferred to Western Michigan this offseason.

Dasan, though, was a contributing linebacker during his two seasons as a Sooner after transferring from Indiana, where he was a Freshman All-American in 2022. Dasan ultimately finished his college career at Nebraska and is now a 2026 NFL Draft prospect.

Despite both sons transferring from OU, McCullough still maintained a solid relationship with the Sooners. Wilson then joined Venables' staff last year after both McCullough brothers were already gone.

Regardless, with crimson already in his closet, many connections led McCullough to Oklahoma.