Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time revamping their coaching staff in the offseason.
Head coach Andy Reid first reunited with a familiar voice, bringing back Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. Now, the franchise is reportedly eyeing another former staffer to restore balance in the running backs room.
According to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, Las Vegas Raiders RB coach Deland McCullough has been interviewed for their running back position.
McCullough previously coached in Kansas City from 2018 to 2020, coinciding with >Bieniemy‘s first stint as offensive coordinator.
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The timing is significant. On January 15, the Chiefs fired running backs coach Todd Pinkston along with other assistants, clearing the position after a lackluster 2025 ground game.
The team’s running backs struggled to produce explosive runs or momentum-changing plays, making the shakeup hard to dispute.
Familiarlity with the Chiefs
Under McCullough, the Chiefs‘ rushing attack was more effective. In 2018, Kansas City finished sixth in the league for rushing average. Though slightly less efficient in 2019, the ground game rebounded in 2020 with a top-12 finish, eventually reaching the top 10 in subsequent seasons.
Clearly, the Bieniemy-McCullough partnership helped complement Patrick Mahomes and the passing attack.
After leaving the Chiefs, McCullough took a leadership role at Indiana in 2021 before spending three years at Notre Dame, earning national recognition.
He joined the Raiders in 2025, mentoring first-round rookie Ashton Jeanty. The Chiefs’ interest in bringing him back signals a willingness to restore familiarity and effectiveness to the backfield.
Reid‘s offseason adjustments don’t stop with the run game. As the 2026 season approaches, the Chiefs are strengthening their staff foundation by hiring developmental coaches from the college ranks.
A flurry of new arrivals
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Chiefs are expected to hire veteran defensive backs coach C.J. Cox as a quality control coach, where he will collaborate closely with defensive backs coach Dave Merritt.
Cox brings a wealth of experience, having coached safeties at Coastal Carolina in 2025 and at UAB the year prior.
Meanwhile, Nate Pagan joins as a quality control coach on the offensive side. With a background coaching wide receivers at SUNY Cortland, Stevenson, and seven seasons at Villanova, Pagan has developed multiple All-Conference players.
He also coached Chiefs wideout Jaaron Hayek in college and participated in the 2025 Bill Walsh Fellowship.
By targeting a mix of familiar and rising talent, Andy Reid is methodically rebuilding the Chiefs coaching staff.
With McCullough potentially returning to oversee the running backs, and developmental hires like Cox and Pagan coming aboard, the foundation for a more balanced, dynamic 2026 season is taking shape at Arrowhead Stadium.
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