Dennis McCulloch begins his 19th year at Valley City State and his 16th as the head football coach.
The Vikings finished last year’s campaign 9-2, and qualified for the NAIA Football Championship Series. After posting 9 straight victories, the Vikings finished the regular season ranked #12 in the country. Coach McCulloch also added another DAC championship to his tenure finishing 6-0 in Conference. Along the way the Vikings earned 15 DAC and Association of Independent Institutions (AII) Player of the Week awards including eight for offense, six for defense, and one for special teams. The team also led the DAC with eight all conference awards including most valuable player (LeTheo Proctor), most valuable senior (Jordan Maher), and coach of the year. Proctor and Maher were also named the top offensive and defensive players respectively of the AII as 2 of the 8 Vikings named to the All-Conference team, while McCulloch added another Coach of the Year honor from the Conference in 2011. The two wins over Jamestown College broke a five-game losing streak to the Jimmies dating back to 2007, also marked the return of the ‘Paint Bucket’ travelling trophy.
The 2005 Vikings captured the Dakota Athletic Conference crown by posting a 6-1 record, sharing the title with Dickinson State. McCulloch earned DAC Coach of the Year honors in 2005.
McCulloch's 2000 and 2001 Vikings completed impressive 9-2 seasons, capturing a share of the 2000 DAC-10 championship and making the NAIA National Playoffs in both seasons. As a result of his efforts, McCulloch was named the DAC-10 Coach of the Year in 2000.
Prior to becoming the head coach, McCulloch compiled a 9-1 regular season record and a NDCAC championship in his third season as the defensive coordinator with the Vikings in 1996.
A native of Milbank, SD, McCulloch received his Bachelor's Degree from Northern State and went on to receive his Master of ScienceDegree from NSU in 1989. In McCulloch's time at Northern State he developed a diverse background of experience while coaching linebackers, defensive line, defensive backs and working as the recruiting coordinator.
In 1993, McCulloch became the head football coach at Frazee (MN) High School and before coming to VCSU as the defensive coordinator in 1994. McCulloch's 1996 defense finished the season ranked #2 in NAIA scoring defense, captured a conference championship and qualified for the NAIA Playoffs.
McCulloch became the 22nd head football coach in Valley City State history in December of 1996. The Vikings have amassed a 85-67 record in McCulloch's sixteen seasons at the helm.
In his tenure, 11 Vikings have earned NAIA All-American honors while 21 players have been named NAIA All-American Scholar-Athletes. McCulloch enters the 2007 season second on the all-time victory list behind only VCSU Hall-of-Fame coach Jim Dew's 116 career victories.
Dennis and his wife Lisa, have 3 children, Ryan a VCSU and NDSU alum, Meghan a VCSU Senior, and Alexa.
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