Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough is expected to leave Notre Dame to accept the same position with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, according to reports. McCullough has been at Notre Dame since 2022 when head coach Marcus Freeman took the reins of the Fighting Irish. McCullough was promoted to run-game coordinator for the Irish in 2023.
The Fighting Irish’s rushing attack has thrived under McCullough. Audric Estime rushed for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2023 before being drafted by the Denver Broncos. Jeremiyah Love, who was recruited to Notre Dame by McCullough, picked up where Estime left off. One of the most explosive runners in the country, Love amassed 1,125 yards in 2024 and scored 17 touchdowns. He will likely be at the forefront of Heisman Trophy discussions heading into next season. The Notre Dame running backs room also boasted depth last year. Jadarian Priceaccumulated 1,018 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons in South Bend. The agile and speedy Price looks like he could also develop into a top-tier, NFL-caliber runner.
Raiders Ties for Deland McCullough
McCullough is returning to the NFL. A Super Bowl winner as an assistant coach, McCullough was the running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018-2020. What paved the way for McCullough’s return was the hiring of Pete Carroll as the head coach of the Raiders at the end of January. McCullough’s father, Sherman Smith, was the running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks under Carroll from 2010-2017.
McCullough’s hiring follows the addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator of the Raiders. Kelly helped guide Ohio State to a win over Notre Dame in last month’s College Football Playoff National Championship game.
McCullough Another High-Profile Loss for Notre Dame
In the days following Notre Dame’s loss to Ohio State in the title game, defensive coordinator Al Golden announced he was returning to the NFL. Golden, considered one of the leading defensive coordinators in college football last season, is the new defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been replaced by Chris Ash. Also leaving the Notre Dame program is Chad Bowden, who exited his role as general manager to take on the same role for USC.
With all the coaching staff departures, Freeman will have his hands full this offseason. He shouldn’t have a lack of qualified candidates to replace McCullough. Notre Dame has a deep and talented squad of returnees in 2025, especially at the running back position. Behind the emergence of Love and Price, Notre Dame possesses a dominant ground game. The strength of the Irish’s backfield will be a key component in fueling their national champions aspirations next season.