At this stage of Deland McCullough's life, his primary focus is leaving a lasting legacy – as a coach, as a father and as a man.
This everlasting mission has prompted him to share his journey with the masses, a life story with more unpredictable twists and turns than most. With Father's Day around the corner, he's recently released a book "Runs in the Family" co-authored by Sarah Spain, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning sports journalist.
"I think it will resonate with a lot of people," McCullough said of his new book. "There will be things about my upbringing but it kind of chronicles everything up to a few years ago. There's so many sub-stories in there and so many things that will resonate with people across the board as far as how they overcome things, the legacy they're living and what legacy they will leave."
The title of the book serves as a double entendre.
After playing running back in the NFL and CFL, McCullough turned his attention to coaching the position group he played. He has 14 years of experience as a running backs coach at the collegiate and professional levels, most recently with Notre Dame as they appeared in the 2024 CFB National Championship game before going to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
It also describes the story behind finding his biological family. After being adopted as a newborn, he set out to find his biological parents in 2017. He shockingly learned that his biological father was Sherman Smith, former NFL running back and his running backs coach at Miami (Ohio).
McCullough had already considered Smith as a mentor and father figure for years before finding out they were related.
"My dad – who was my coach that I didn't know was my dad – one thing he said that encompassed it all, he would always tell his players, 'You may not be looking for a father, but I'm going to treat you like you're my son.' Here I am, I get into coaching. I wasn't following what Sherman Smith was doing, I just ended up in coaching and that was my coaching philosophy.
"I was living that theme not even putting it into words, but it fits."
McCullough now has four sons, but also countless players he's coached and treated as his own children. The Raiders running back coach said the initial process of telling his story was difficult, as he considers himself an extremely introverted person despite his career path. But writing this book has been "therapeutic" in working through some of his past trauma from childhood and taking an holistic look at his life.
Even with the sense of closure that writing has brought to him, McCullough's main hope is that his story helps other men seek out opportunities to be father figures. Whether it's to their biological children or not.
"There's other people, and the book chronicles it, who had very bad father figures of violence and other different things like that who gave me the opposite of what I wanted to see or what I wanted to be," he said. "I know that was something that I needed in my life growing up. ... When I got the opportunity to be a father, I was going to make sure my sons never questioned those things that I questioned growing up as far as an in-house father and the same thing for my players.
"Legacy isn't something that's passed on after you die. It's something you build while you're living."
Take a look inside Intermountain Health Performance Center at the best shots from the final day of mandatory minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Pat Conroy (86) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) and running backs coach Deland McCullough on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) and center Will Putnam (67) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Parker Clements (70) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) and linebacker Devin White (45) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders equipment specialist John Miranda on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67), guard Caleb Rogers (76) and tackle Parker Clements (70) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kyle Philips (15) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Key'Shawn Smith (83) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (75) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr. (85) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr. (85) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jonathan Sutherland (40) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2), running back Sincere McCormick (28) and running back Raheem Mostert (31) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Key'Shawn Smith (83) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Lincoln Kennedy on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center/guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders vice president of player personnel Brandon Hunt on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
