Notre Dame targeting Penn State assistant Ja'Juan Seider as running backs coach

Notre Dame is targeting Penn State’s Ja’Juan Seider as its next running backs coach, per On3’s Pete Nakos. The expectation is this deal will get done and Penn State will be looking for a new running backs coach, a source tells Nakos.

Seider is the assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the Nittany Lions. He’s been with the program since 2018.

Seider would replace DeLand McCullough, who announced he was leaving Notre Dame on Saturday to join the Las Vegas Raiders coaching staff. McCullough spent three seasons as the Fighting Irish’s running backs coach.

Seider would be an impressive replacement for McCullough. Seider joined Penn State’s coaching staff as a running backs coach in 2018. However, in 2022, he was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and promoted again in 2023 to assistant head coach.

During Seider’s time in Happy Valley, Penn State’s running back room has thrived. Seider recruited and developed Penn State’s devastating backfield duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. This past season, Penn State averaged 201.7 rushing yards per game, the 17th-most in the country.

Allen and Singleton each finished the year with over 1,000 rushing yards. For their efforts, they were both named 2024 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selections. Penn State head coach James Franklin hasn’t been shy to praise Seider for his efforts in the past.

“Ja’Juan Seider is a guy that, I think if he chooses to be a head coach, is going to be a head coach,” Franklin said in 2023. “There’s a bunch of guys that have through here that have gone on to become head coaches.”

While Seider wouldn’t be Notre Dame’s head coach next season, he’d be adding another excellent program to his coaching résumé. The Fighting Irish are coming off their first National Championship appearance during the College Football Playoff era and are hungry to build on their momentum.

DeLand McCullough certainly seemed to enjoy his time with the program. McCullough released a heartfelt message along with his departure announcement on Saturday.

“I would like to thank (head coach) Marcus Freeman, (current and former director of athletics) Pete Bevacqua & Jack Swarbrick for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great University and staff,” he wrote. “Thank you to Notre Dame staff & community for embracing me and my family the last 3 years. Together, we made Team Glory and Reaching Our Full Potential a rallying call that has the Irish on the brink of consistent championship runs!!!

“As always, special shout out to all my RBs over the last 3 years!!! The mutual trust, respect, and bond we built will last far beyond the successes we experienced on the football field. You guys bought into The Standard & made being D3 a part of life. You guys were MY WHY during my tenure. Keep runnin yall race cause yall know we always connected & I am always watching!!!

“Notre Dame football, Go Be Great!!!”