06-02-2025
Notre Dame football suffers a big loss as another coach leaves for the NFL
Notre Dame football suffers a big loss as another coach leaves for the NFL
Just when you thought that Notre Dame football could turn its attention to preparing for the 2025 season, it'll once again have to fill an open coaching position.
Late on Wednesday night, Matt Freeman of Irish Sports Daily reported that running backs coach Deland McCullough will make a return to the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders. He previously was the running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018-2020, and will assume the same position with the Raiders.
McCullough helped guide the Irish to multiple great years of ground production, as his first season in 2022, Audric Estime and Logan Diggs each averaged over 5 yards-per-carry and almost had 1,000 yard seasons. In 2023, Estime went well over that mark, with 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns and then was drafted in the No. 5 round of the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.
Jeremiyah Love also went over the elusive mark with 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns. As you can see, this unit led by McCullough has been elite. He will be missed, but you have to have some confidence in head coach Marcus Freeman to find a more than adequate replacement.
