Notre Dame football assistant will be 'head coach somewhere' - Marcus Freeman
One of the reasons there is so much excitement around the Notre Dame football team is because Marcus Freeman has put together a staff. Running backs coach Deland McCullough is among the names standing out the most these days.
It's especially standing out to Freeman himself.
This spring, Deland McCullough was promoted from running backs coach to associate head coach/running backs. The Miami of Ohio grad will now face the Redhawks in a prominent position on the Notre Dame football team.
It would seem that at least part of the reason Freeman gave his assistant the promotion is because he knows McCullough will be taking the next step in his career in the very near future. Freeman both wants him sticking around the Fighting Irish as long as possible, while also really getting a taste for the higher level.
“Even last year, I had a conversation with him about being an associate head coach,” Irish coach Marcus Freeman said earlier this month. “He’s been involved in some of my head coaching meetings. That’s his next step. Deland McCullough is going to be a head coach somewhere.”
“I want to help (McCullough) in as many ways as I can,” Freeman added. “It’s not saying I have the answers. It’s saying, ‘Come be a part of this,’ and he’s going to take some things off my plate. He’s earned the right.”
Notre Dame football assistant seems slated for head job
Freeman isn't the only one who is giving Deland McCullough some high praise. His players seem quite impressed with him as well. That includes running back Audric Estime.
The NFL hopeful talked about his former position coach just head of the NFL Combine and made it clear that he believes he owes quite a bit to the man who will be leading the next generation of great running backs in South Bend this fall.
“Coach McCullough deserves everything that he’s given,” Estime said. “He’s a great mentor in my life. He’s a great coach. Smart guy. He’s more than a coach. He honestly cares about his players deeply.”