Kansas City Chiefs request coaching interview with familiar face who has strong ties to top 2026 NFL Draft prospects
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The Kansas City Chiefs are officially looking into a familiar face to return as the team's running backs coach.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Chiefs have submitted an interview request for Las Vegas Raiders RBs coach Deland McCullough. He was previously the Chiefs' RBs coach under Eric Bieniemy from 2018 through 2020, earning a ring with Kansas City in Super Bowl LIV. McCullough coached up players like Kareem Hunt, Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, Darrell Williams, Damien Williams, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire during his time in Kansas City.
McCullough left the 2021 NFL season to return to his roots as associate head coach & running backs coach at the University of Indiana. In 2022, he joined the coaching staff at Notre Dame, spending three years as the running backs coach and one year as associate head coach before returning to the NFL with Las Vegas in 2025.
It's no surprise that with the turnover of the Raiders' coaching staff, the Chiefs would look into bringing back McCullough. Not only did he do a tremendous job as RBs coach with Kansas City during his previous tenure, but he has strong connections to two of the top running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, including projected top-10 pick Jeremiyah Love.
Deland McCullough recruited and coached Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price
With the Chiefs needing to revamp their running back room, McCullough's connection to Notre Dame's running back prospects is notable should he eventually sign on as the team's RBs coach. He recruited Jeremiyah Love and coached him to his breakout season in 2024, with the standout running back recording 148 carries for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 starts. He was one of the most electric rushers in college football that season and helped Notre Dame reach the National Championship Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
McCullough also recruited Jadarian Price to Notre Dame, who has been the primary backup to Love over the past three college football seasons. While he hasn't had the same level of opportunity as Love as a bellcow running back, he's averaged more yards per catch as a receiver (10.8) and has been a key contributor as a return specialist for the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame rushing stats under Deland McCullough
- 2022: 519 attempts for 2,458 yards and 25 touchdowns.
- 2023: 449 attempts for 2,414 yards and 28 touchdowns.
- 2024: 555 attempts for 3,215 yards and 45 touchdowns.
This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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