THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
WITH JASON ROMANO, FEATURING DELAND MCCULLOUGH
Deland McCullough is the current associate head coach and running backs coach with Indiana University. For the past three seasons, he was the running backs coach with the Kansas City Chiefs and was a member of two AFC Championship teams and helped K.C. win Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers.
Growing up, McCullough was dedicated to the game of football and his career saw him play college football at Miami (Ohio) and spend time in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles. Following an injury that shortened his playing career, McCullough went into coaching and had stops at Miami (Ohio), Indiana, USC, the Chiefs and now back with Indiana.
McCullough, who is adopted, also has an incredible story of discovering his birth father. This story was written in Sports Spectrum’s Winter 2020 Magazine and is featured in the new documentary “Show Me the Father” in theaters September 10, 2021.
On today’s podcast, McCullough shares about his new role in 2021 with the Indiana football team, what it was like to win a Super Bowl, the lessons he learned as a coach in the NFL, and how he began to see God nudging him to share his incredible story of fatherhood in the new documentary, “Show Me the Father.”
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST HOSTED BY JASON ROMANO, FEATURING CORI CLOSE
Cori Close is the head coach for the UCLA women’s basketball team. In her 15 seasons at UCLA, she has 358 career wins, back-to-back Final Four appearances, and her first national championship in 2026.
Today on the podcast, Cori Close joins Jason Romano to share about her experience leading UCLA to the women’s national championship, clinging to Christ during this past season, what it means to abide in Jesus, loving her players well, and the Gospel impact she wants to make with the platform she has.
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop was at SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida, this week to answer questions about the upcoming season, and he did plenty of that. The 2025 second-team All-SEC selection is expected to be a major contributor for a Volunteers team looking to get back to the College Football Playoff after missing it last season.
But that didn’t stop him from using the opportunity to talk openly about his faith in Christ as well.
“First and foremost, before we begin, I want to give all glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Bishop said Monday in his opening statement during his press conference. “I can pretend like this day is about me, but it’s really about Him. Ultimately, I would not be up here without Him, and He’s been the difference in my life. I encourage anyone out there, if you’re seeking a relationship with Him, go get it, because it does make the difference in everything you do. So all glory to Him.”
Bishop ran for 1,076 yards with 16 touchdowns last season, which were good for fourth and second in the conference, respectively. Tennessee finished 8-5 and lost 30-28 to Illinois in the Music City Bowl, where he ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
In Monday’s press conference, a reporter later asked what led to his success last season, and once again he turned to his faith.
“First of all, my Lord and Savior, obviously, giving me the ability to do what I do and just giving me the work ethic that I have,” Bishop said. “I came up from a lot of tribs and trials just to get to the spot I am now. So I’ve got to give the glory to Him.
“And also my offensive line. I tell this all the time, ‘I’m only as good as them.’ So those dudes pave the way for me and we are returning a bunch of stars this year and a lot of the dudes from the transfer portal. I believe that will be a big contributor to my success as well.”
Later, Bishop did a one-on-one interview with SEC Network, and was asked about the importance of his faith.
“I wouldn’t be here without it,” he said. “My Lord and Savior has treated me very good — more than I honestly deserve. I don’t really deserve to be in front of y’all, but by His grace and salvation He saved me from a really dark place, a path of destruction that I was on. It was leading me down to a place I don’t need to be.
“When God swooped in and saved my life, it came with all this that I’ve received now, so all glory to Him. If you are out there and don’t know much about Him, I encourage you to at least try to find a relationship with Him because it will change your life for the better.”
Don’t be fooled by Bishop’s calm and humble demeanor, though. When he gets the ball, his goal is “to punish people.”
“I have the mindset of not getting tackled and just fighting for as much yards as I can every time I touch the ball, just utilizing every carry I get because it could be limited,” he said in his press conference.
Bishop has relied on that approach ever since he starred at Karns High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. And he’s also carried a bit of a chip on his shoulder since then. Despite rushing for 8,347 yards and 102 touchdowns over the course of his high school career — which ranked second and third all-time in Tennessee high school football history, respectively — his only scholarship offers were from Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State. Tennessee came in at the last minute offering a walk-on spot. Despite being “really irritated” at the time that it was just a walk-on offer, he took the offer and bet on himself.
After redshirting his freshman year, he served as a backup the following season, and tallied 455 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. He topped 1,000 yards for the first time in his college career last season and has his sights set on even bigger numbers this year as he enters his redshirt junior season. He’s also getting NFL Draft buzz. The Athletic ranked him No. 8 in its list of top 15 draft-eligible underclassmen.
Having to earn his scholarship the way he did has made him into the player he is now and he chalks it all up to “God’s plan.”
“All glory to God, man,” Bishop said during his press conference. “It’s truly remarkable. Not many people would think of a walk-on from Karns would probably ever reach 1,000 yards. I came into a class where if anybody thought [someone] was supposed to transfer, man, it was probably supposed to be me.
“And just all the hard work has paid off. And it feels like I haven’t even scratched the surface, honestly, of what I’m capable of. So I’m just continuing to just praise Him. Obviously He’s telling me to get back to work because there’s a lot of work to be done this season.”
Bishop wasn’t picked for any preseason SEC awards, likely because he’s in a conference with two of the best running backs in the country — Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss and Ahmad Hardy of Missouri, who were chosen ahead of him. Lacy ranks No. 1 and Hardy is No. 3 on The Athletic’s list of draft-eligible underclassmen.
Bishop’s pro future will work itself out in due time, but for now, he’s focused on making an impact in his locker room and community. This past weekend, he hosted a football camp at Karns, where faith once again took center stage. Campers wore shirts that read, “A little bit of faith. And a little bit of hard work.”
“A lot of people out here are big believers in the Lord, and I believe that’s what you’ve got to have in your life,” Bishop told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “You’ve got to be grounded in your faith. There’s a lot of things you look for to try to satisfy you in this life, but only one thing can, and that’s your Lord and Savior.”
Tennessee opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 at home against Furman.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST HOSTED BY MATT FORTE, FEATURING RYAN KERRIGAN
Ryan Kerrigan played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Washington Redskins (2011-2020) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2021). He earned four Pro Bowl selections and is the Washington franchise leader in career sacks with 95.5.
Today on the podcast, Matt Forte talks to Ryan Kerrigan about their battles between Chicago and Washington, how Ryan has seen faith guide his life, what his 2011 NFL Draft day was like, how fatherhood and marriage have shaped him, and what it was like scoring a touchdown in his very first NFL game.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente (far left) celebrates winning the World Cup with his team, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
There is an “i” in the Spanish word for “team” — equipo — but Spain certainly didn’t exhibit a self-centered style of play on Sunday — or all tournament long — on their way to winning the World Cup for the second time in the nation’s history. And just like their first World Cup title in 2010, the Spaniards needed an extra-time goal to break a scoreless tie, secure the victory, and begin the celebration on the streets of Spain.
On Sunday, that goal came from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions who had been defending valiantly all day, were down to only 10 men after a red card, and finally, the Argentinians broke.
“Proud of this generation of footballers that have been growing on this idea — loyal to the idea — of giving our best, being an example of a team, a family, of being great footballers with extraordinary potential and talent,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who at 65 years old became the oldest coach to win a World Cup, said in Spanish on the field after the game. “Especially I feel proud, because truthfully, being able to accompany them on this journey, for me, it’s an honor.”
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente talks about the emotions of winning a FIFA World Cup ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WqBB9BzU07
Spain’s World Cup started inauspiciously enough, with a 0-0 tie against Cape Verde. But La Roja gained momentum with wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to win Group H. They then calmly took out Austria, Portugal, Belgium, and pre-tournament-favorite France to advance to the final.
Some of the best soccer players in the world were on Spain’s roster during this World Cup, but what defined La Roja’s trek to the title was the remarkable team-first mentality they displayed throughout their eight games. They only conceded one goal all tournament long (against Belgium) while eight different Spaniards recorded at least one goal. When asked about his game-winner in the final, Torres’ comment exemplified that mentality.
“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” he said, via Reuters. “It wasn’t even mine or from the 26 players.”
Playing as one organized unit is central to de la Fuente’s coaching philosophy and a distinct feature of his approach to international competition since being named Spain’s national team coach in December 2022. He is credited with enhancing the “tiki-taka” playing style of Spain’s national team, a style characterized by rapid passing and player movement requiring everyone to be in unison.
“I’m so proud of this generation of footballers who have grown up with this philosophy, remained true to it, made it even better, and set an example as a team and a family,” de la Fuente told reporters Sunday via Reuters. “They’re excellent, world-class footballers with exceptional talent.”
De la Fuente led Spain to the Euro 2024 title, and his teams haven’t lost in 38 games across all competitions, a record for any team from Europe or South America.
“In the past, people were surprised about footballers being talented and skilled and being good people,” he said Sunday. “We are the most united team, and that is thanks to having people with solidarity, values.”
One of de la Fuente’s values is his Christian faith. When asked before Spain’s semifinal tilt against France about any pregame routines he had, de la Fuente talked about prayer.
“I pray every day, but not because I’m at the World Cup or trying to get a result,” he told reporters, via News Nation. “… I think it would be unfair to ask God to help me and not help my rival. I ask for other things, good health especially. And that He gives me the opportunity to continue fighting.”
Another common refrain in de la Fuente’s prayers is gratitude.
“Every day when I get up, I thank God that I’m well,” he said. “I look at myself and I say, ‘Another day that I can enjoy life.'”
De la Fuente’s mentions of faith often have an apologetic flair to them. In an interview with El Mundo in October 2023, he admitted that he at one time had drifted from the Christian faith of his youth because he was beset by doubts. But, God led him back to Himself.
“I decided to draw closer to [faith] again and rely on God for everything I do,” he said. “There are not just one, but a thousand reasons to believe in God. Without God, nothing in life makes sense.”
Furthermore, before beating England to win the Euro 2024 final, de la Fuente was asked about his faith in the face of such high-stakes competitions.
“I am free and I can choose what I have to do, and both my experience and my intelligence invite me to believe in God,” he answered, via Evangelical Focus. “God gives me security and strength. … If I pray today and tomorrow, it’s because I’ve been doing it for a long time.”
Today, as de la Fuente closes his eyes and bows his head in prayer, he will be doing so as a World Cup champion.
