Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables unveils why he hired Deland McCullough and LaMar Morgan to the team's coaching staff
University of Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables made waves on Sunday by announcing the addition of two seasoned and accomplished assistant coaches to his staff: Deland McCullough as the new running backs coach and LaMar Morgan as the cornerbacks coach.
Venables expressed immense enthusiasm for these hires, emphasizing their exceptional qualities as coaches, leaders, and individuals who will elevate the Sooners' program.
In his initial statement, Venables highlighted his excitement, saying, "I'm incredibly excited about the addition of two fantastic football coaches, great men, great leaders. Our players are going to love learning under them."
He noted that both positions attracted significant interest, leading to thorough searches, but McCullough and Morgan stood out due to their vast experience, teaching prowess, leadership skills, cultural fit with the existing staff, and recruiting abilities.
Venables stressed that there was "no compromise in any of those areas," and both candidates excelled in their interviews, positioning them to greatly benefit the players through their guidance and development.
Venables also underscored the appeal of Oklahoma to these coaches, who turned down other opportunities in the NFL and college ranks to join the Sooners.
He explained, "These are guys who had several other NFL and college opportunities but chose to come to Norman. They recognize the value of the Oklahoma brand, the players they can recruit and the staff they can align with. They were both looking for a place to call home, a place where they felt they could win a championship and step into an environment where they can win at the highest level, be with great people and coach great players."
This reflects Venables' belief in the program's prestige and its potential for championship success, which drew these high-caliber coaches to Norman.
Focusing on Deland McCullough, Venables praised his stellar reputation and extensive background, which spans championship wins in the NFL and impressive player development in college football.
Venables described McCullough as having "an impeccable reputation as a leader, a teacher and a motivator," with "exceptional" experience that was evident even before the interview process. He mentioned a prior connection through a parent-coach relationship but emphasized how recruiting McCullough in this new capacity revealed his deep respect for a powerhouse like Oklahoma.
Venables was particularly struck by McCullough's familiarity with some OU players from his recruiting days at Notre Dame, which he saw as a natural alignment. "I was really just excited for his hunger to be at a place like OU," Venables said, adding, "On top of everything else, there was just great alignment between us. From a development and leadership standpoint, he's going to have tremendous impact on day one."
This highlights Venables' confidence in McCullough's immediate contributions, drawing from his track record of mentoring running backs to 1,000-yard seasons, including stars like Audric Estimé and Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, and his Super Bowl experience with the Kansas City Chiefs. Venables views McCullough as a coach who will instill discipline and elevate the running backs room, aligning perfectly with OU's championship aspirations in the SEC.
Turning to LaMar Morgan, Venables was equally effusive, pinpointing his intellectual depth and coaching expertise as key differentiators. "The most impressive thing about LaMar during the interview process was his football acumen," Venables stated, noting Morgan's experience as a defensive coordinator and play-caller at Louisiana-Lafayette, which set him apart from other candidates.
Venables admired Morgan's teaching style, describing him as a "great relationship-driven coach" with "passion, his fire, his energy and the details he coaches with, as well as how he's able to motivate and get the best out of his guys."
He also lauded Morgan as a "fantastic recruiter, wonderful human being, husband and father," while emphasizing his tough, demanding approach on the field.
Venables believes players will thrive under Morgan's energetic leadership, saying, "As a coach, he's tough and demanding, but the players are going to love his passion and energy he brings to the building every single day."
This enthusiasm stems from Morgan's recent success at Michigan, where he contributed to a top-ranked defense with multiple interceptions and All-Big Ten honorees like Zeke Berry and Will Johnson. Venables sees Morgan's background—from coordinating defenses that excelled in takeaways and pass defense at ULL to his earlier roles at Vanderbilt, Houston, and others—as a perfect fit for OU's defensive scheme, enhancing the secondary's performance and recruiting efforts.
Overall, Venables' comments paint a picture of strategic hires that bolster Oklahoma's staff with proven winners who embody excellence in coaching, player development, and personal character.
By bringing in McCullough and Morgan, Venables is confident in building a cohesive team poised for success, as he reiterated their shared vision for championships and high-level competition.
These additions not only strengthen specific position groups but also reinforce the program's culture of grit and tradition, ensuring the Sooners are well-equipped for the challenges ahead.