From VCSU Athletics

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSUAthletics.com) – Valley City State University will appoint Dennis McCulloch as the Interim Athletic Director this summer, VCSU President Alan LaFave announced Wednesday. McCulloch has served as the assistant athletic director for many years and has been VCSU’s head football coach for the past 25 seasons.

“Coach Mac is a proven leader and a heart for VCSU. His leadership inspires confidence and a culture of engagement and success,” LaFave said. “There are few people who love VCSU athletics more than Coach Mac and I look forward to working with him to continue our forward momentum.”

McCulloch replaces Jill DeVries, who plans to resign her position as VCSU’s athletic director this summer. McCulloch will remain VCSU’s head football coach while also serving as interim athletic director, which will be effective July 1.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to step in and fill an important role in our athletic department and look forward to working with a great group of coaches to keep pushing our athletic department forward,” said McCulloch. “It’s a lot easier to step in and fill a role when the ship has been pointed in the right direction and on a good course thanks to Jill Devries. I appreciate the trust of Dr. LaFave to give me this opportunity, and I’m excited about his vision for VCSU and Viking Athletics. I look forward to continue working with him to achieve the university’s goals.”

McCulloch joined the VCSU staff in 1994 as the defensive coordinator for the Viking football team. He was named the team’s head coach in 1996 and has held that position for the past 25 years – guiding the program to a 151-99 overall record, six conference championships and four NAIA playoff appearances. He has earned Conference Coach of the Year six times, and in 2021 he was named President of the NAIA Football Coaches Association.

McCulloch has also worked as an assistant athletic director since 2009 and previously served as the interim athletic director for a period in 2016. VCSU football’s fundraising efforts have grown exponentially during his time at VCSU as McCulloch and his staff have created and expanded the Oarsmen Club and several fundraising events.

A native of Milbank, S.D., McCulloch received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern State and went on to receive his Master of Science Degree from NSU in 1989.

McCulloch has three children who have all graduated from VCSU: Ryan, a VCSU and NDSU alum; Meghan, a VCSU alum; and Alexa, a VCSU alum.