IU running backs coach Deland McCullough has left IU to take the same position at Southern California, FootballScoop.com reported Wednesday morning.
McCullough, who began his tenure in Bloomington before the 2011 season, has coached three running backs at IU who moved on to play in the NFL.
After playing at IU under McCullough, Stephen Houston broke into the NFL with the New England Patriots and is currently competing for a job on the Baltimore Ravens roster.
Former Hoosier running back Tevin Coleman rushed for 2,036 yards during the 2014 season and was named an All-American. He now plays for the Atlanta Falcons and recently lost Super Bowl XLI.
Jordan Howard rounds out the trio of professional running backs influenced by McCullough, as he ran for 1,213 yards in his one season at IU after transferring from Alabama-Birmingham. Howard now starts for the Chicago Bears and was named to the 2017 Pro Bowl.
Recently-departed Hoosier running back Devine Redding rushed for 1,000 yards for two straight seasons in 2015 and 2016 for the first time in IU history since 1990-91.
After Kevin Johns, Shawn Watson, Greg Frey and James Patton left the program, McCullough was the last offensive coach remaining from former IU Coach Kevin Wilson’s staff.
New offensive line coach Darren Hiller will be replacing Frey as run game coordinator, but there have been no names mentioned as a possible replacement for the running back coach position.
Taylor Lehman
