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The USC Trojans have hired Deland McCullough as their new Running Backs coach. This was a crucial hire because of timing, most coaching vacancies had been filled and with the sudden departure of Tommie Robinson to LSU, left an unexpected void, but in the end it worked out great, USC got their guy.
McCullough was just what the doctor ordered, a Big Ten coach with a smashmouth style that the USC teams of the 60's, 70's & 80's were known for. McCullough will serve as both the running backs coach and the running game coordinator for the Trojans.
McCullough was with the Indiana Hoosiers the past six years coaching in the same capacity. Last season at Indiana the Hoosiers ranked 11th in the conference in team rushing but on the flipside Indiana RB Devine Redding ranked 5th in rushing yards with 1,122 in the reg. season.
While the Trojans lose Justin Davis to the NFL Draft they are still loaded at the position. Ronald Jones certainly seems to be the front runner to top the depth chart along with Aca’cedric Ware and Dominic Davis. Also on the depth chart are Vavae Malepeai who will be a redshirt freshman for the 2017 season and of course 5-star blue-chip running back Stephen Carr who was part of the Trojans’ top 5 class on National Signing Day 2017.
USC football coach Clay Helton stated:
““We are thrilled to welcome Deland to the Trojan Family and fortunate to have him on our staff,” [. . .] He had great success recruiting and then developing prolific running backs at Indiana who were NFL ready. The Indiana run game during his time was effective, efficient and productive. He understands the running game and was himself a very skilled runner as a college and pro player. He relates well to his players and has a unique background dating to his days working in education as a principal.”