Chiefs coaching search shifts toward a familiar Super Bowl voice as Eric Bieniemy sets the tone

The Kansas City Chiefs are clearly leaning into familiarity as they reshape their coaching staff this offseason. After bringing Eric Bieniemy back into the building, the organization appears focused on restoring another identity that once delivered consistency and balance. The latest development points to a coach who knows the Chiefs’ playbook well.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs have requested to interview Raiders RB coach Deland McCullough for their running back coach position. The report also noted that McCullough was with the Chiefs from 2018 to 2020. As fans know, during that stretch, McCullough worked under Bieniemy and helped oversee a rushing attack that quietly ranked sixth in yards per attempt during the 2018 season

Why Deland McCullough fits Kansas City’s renewed push for balance

For a team that struggled to find consistent production on the ground last year, this latest development is great news. A former CFL and NFL running back, McCullough has built a reputation as both a teacher and developer of talent. He returned to Indiana in 2021 as associate head coach and running backs coach, then joined Notre Dame in 2022.


There, he spent three seasons guiding the running backs and one year as associate head coach before returning to the NFL with the Raiders in 2025. One of McCullough’s strongest calling cards is his connection to elite young talent. He has a close training relationship with Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman finalist and one of the top prospects projected for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Love is frequently mocked as a potential Chiefs target, especially with Kansas City holding a first-round pick. That familiarity could prove valuable if the franchise decides to invest heavily in the position. With the Raiders undergoing coaching changes, the timing makes sense, and the Chiefs are in need of a crucial makeover.

McCullough already knows the Chiefs’ system, has credibility with Bieniemy, and brings fresh insight from both college and pro levels. For a team aiming to regain offensive balance without starting over, this potential reunion checks every box, and fans will certainly be excited with this new development.


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