Deland McCullough - RB Coach (2022-2024)

[Madmasher67]

Ok. So someone needs to start a list of potential RB coach suitors that would fit the culture of ND. Who can take the RB room to the next level? I am unqualified for this task. I just get on IE to read all of the fabulous food threads and remind myself why I'm glad I'm not NDfan 2008. Feel for ya bro.

 

[arrowryan]

Surprised he was here as long as he was tbh

 

[NDFAN2008]

I think you gotta start with these guys:
Alford: good chance he comes back especially with Michigan maybe getting hit with sanctions
Chris Foster maybe a guy to look at
NFL: is there any NFL guys out there?

 

[The Backer]

Doug Phillips was the RB coach at UC with the gang. Somewhat floundering (23-30) as the Youngstown State head coach. Wonder if that's an option. Otherwise Alford and Curtis Luper are probably the most highly regarded RB coaches out there.

I'm more concerned with who becomes the Running Game Coordinator. My bet would be Rudolph picks that up as well, although I really like my OL coach just focusing on the OL.

 

[GreenGemsOmally]

It's a big loss, but I'm actually surprised we even kept him as long as we did. I figured after Estime left, he was also going to go so getting him for another year was just gravy on top.

We're coming off of a national championship game, with a loaded RB and OL room, a very experienced and good OC, and one of the most popular rising coaches in all of the sport AND the University is finally ready to drop competitive money. I don't think we'll have trouble finding a quality replacement.

 

[arrowryan]

We should be looking up the Wikipedia pages of the RB coaches at Wisconsin and UC

 

[rtrn2glory]

Oh well when Merck comes back we can just ask him who's the list

 

[IrishLion]

Steal Justin Hill from the Bengals. Offer him a stupid pay bump or something. Consider it a trade for Golden. His work developing Chase Brown into a full-time back after Zack Moss went down was nice.

He also played at Rice and coached at Tulsa for a while, so you know he can help the new GM leverage those southwest connections.

 

[ab2cmiller]

I don't recall why he left the NFL the first time to go back to IU. It feels like he was chasing a path that would lead him to becoming a head coach at the college level. I don't know if he had any opportunities or not. Just seems like he felt that path was stalling and jumped back to the NFL.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Thomas Hammock giving up a G5 HC position at his alma mater to be RB coach at Notre Dame would be a questionable career move.

 

[Dale]

Luper would be interesting because, though he predates Kirby Moore, Kirby Moore is almost definitely leaving Missouri so they will have a new OC

 

[Dale]

Thomas Hammock giving up a G5 HC position at his alma mater to be RB coach at Notre Dame would be a questionable career move.

So was NIU joining the Mountain West

 

[Katzenboyer]

Wish him all the best. Surprised we got him for three seasons, but you can't argue with his results.

 

[dublinirish]

Thomas Hammock giving up a G5 HC position at his alma mater to be RB coach at Notre Dame would be a questionable career move.

his agent put out that he was angling for a NFL RB coach position but nothing came of it

https://footballscoop.com/news/thomas-hammock-reportedly-drawing-interest-with-nfl-teams

 

[Dale]

Stan Drayton, come on down....

This is a good call

 

[Dale]

Hammock was actually on staff at UW with Chris Ash and one year of Rudolph

 

[NDFAN2008]

Jonathan Wallace is a guy to look at from Kansas considered a rising star in the game

 

[Dale]

Rudolph has had John Settle as a RBs Coach at Pitt and Wisconsin

Currently at Rice

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I don't recall why he left the NFL the first time to go back to IU. It feels like he was chasing a path that would lead him to becoming a head coach at the college level. I don't know if he had any opportunities or not. Just seems like he felt that path was stalling and jumped back to the NFL.

Wasn't his son at IU?

 

[brewdog_14527]

How much input will Denbrock have in the next RB coach?

 

[Dale]

Wasn't his son at IU?

Son at IU and all 3 sons going through college years. I think he rather obviously pulled some strings he garnered to further their recruitments, as he has the right to do. Also wanted to be a HC. Probably still can be once Chuck Martin calls it quits

 

[NDPhilly]

I don’t find RB coaches to be particularly important, outside of recruiting, At least in comparison with your OL, QB, DB, assistants. He certainly did a very good job with getting Love, JD, Aneyas, and Kedron in the fold.

Biggest concern is how this effects where we stand with 2026 elite RBs IMO.

 

[Kingbish01]

As much as I like McCullough, what are the chances ND upgrades here as well?

 

[arrowryan]

As much as I like McCullough, what are the chances ND upgrades here as well?

There’s definitely room for improvement in the recruiting department

 

[NDFAN2008]

As much as I like McCullough, what are the chances ND upgrades here as well?

0

 

[Dale]

As much as I like McCullough, what are the chances ND upgrades here as well?

In coaching the position? Very little chance. Recruiting? He had waned last cycle, but prior to that was great.

Likely hard to upgrade on the majority of the 3 year run he had

 

[IrishLax]

There is no “upgrading” the best position coach in the country. I do think that ND will be quite appealing to a number of good young coaches looking to up jump though.

 

[NDFAN2008]

There’s definitely room for improvement in the recruiting department

Not sure where the beef is with his recruiting?
Jadarian Price high 4 star
Love high 4 star
Kedren Young high 4 star, Williams 4 star
Nolan James 4 star

 

[Kingbish01]

Ya, I see what you guys are saying. I do think someone like Drayton would make the sting fade fast though.

 

[pumpdog20]

Best of luck Coach Mc!

2025 "waned" because 2024 had Williams and Young
I'm sure 2026 was an expected reload.