Sports Update
Second time's a charm: McCullough appointed as Allen's new boys hoops coach
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
New Allen boys basketball head coach Jeff McCullough is far from a stranger to the Eagles' program.
In fact, the longtime Sherman head coach had applied for the Allen job the last time it was open -- in 2008 when Steve Specht took over the program.
Four years later, Specht announced his retirement after 31 years in coaching and once word traveled to McCullough about the opening, it didn't take long for him to follow up.
"I got an e-mail from my brother telling me the job was open," he said. "I immediately e-mailed (Allen athletic director Steve) Williams and just went through the process. I evidently left a good impression last time and was fortunate enough to be offered the job this go around."
Indeed he had left a good impression, and not just for his work on the court.
"Coach McCullough had a very successful program both at Sherman and up in Oklahoma," Williams said. "But he is also very passionate about the game and making these kids better people as well as better players."
The importance of the Eagles' job clearly loomed large for McCullough, who was residing in Norman when he got word of the opening.
"I grew up in this area and have been around it for a long time," he said. "When you look at Allen and what they've done athletically, I just think it's going to be one of the premier programs in the state."
McCullough, who was chosen over six other finalists, spent the last two years helming the boys basketball program at Norman High School. The move north came due to a need for a change of scenery and a chance to broaden McCullough's coaching horizons, whether it was a chance to pick the brains of coaches at the University of Oklahoma, watch practices or build contacts.
In fact, McCullough had recently gone so far as to buy a house in Norman.
"I felt like [Norman] was where I wanted to be until this job opened," McCullough said. "You're sitting on a gold mine at Allen as far as potential and talent."
Prior to Norman, McCullough carved out his coaching career in the Metroplex, spending 13 years at Sherman -- four as an assistant and nine as the boys head coach. It was during his stay with the Bearcats that McCullough got to lay the groundwork for his approach to the court.
"We're going to get kids to play hard and challenge these kids to push themselves," he said. "I want to get them to play hard on the defensive side of the ball, especially."
McCullough emphasized an up-tempo, fast-paced style with depth and occasional full-court pressure as staples of his methodology.
"There were a number of years where we were among the top teams in the Dallas area in scoring," McCullough said, "but at the same time, we did that through what we did defensively."
During his time at Sherman, McCullough also had a chance to square off against the Eagles, laying the groundwork for what has become an annual tradition in Allen's basketball schedule by having opened non-district play against the Bearcats each of the past four years. The Bearcats went 2-0 against Allen in McCullough's final two seasons at Sherman and he has maintained contact with Specht over the years.
"I've been able to talk with coach Specht about the kids coming back," McCullough said, "and we think there's a core group of young men who have a lot of potential to take the program to the next level.
"I think we have a good mix of athleticism and size."
The returning team's experience plus the overall direction of the program were key reasons in Specht's decision to retire -- wanting to assure the Eagles were in good shape for the future. Specht's retirement set off a chain reaction of sorts in the Eagles' basketball coaching tree, with former assistant coach Jeremy Josey taking a head coaching position at Sulphur Springs.
With McCullough's hiring, the newly-appointed coach has assigned the opening at assistant to his brother, Joe, who previously coached the boys program at Van Alstyne.
Together, the two look to pick up right where Specht and Company left off.
"Play hard, play smart and play together," McCullough said. "Do those three things and the winning will take care of itself."
In fact, the longtime Sherman head coach had applied for the Allen job the last time it was open -- in 2008 when Steve Specht took over the program.
Four years later, Specht announced his retirement after 31 years in coaching and once word traveled to McCullough about the opening, it didn't take long for him to follow up.
"I got an e-mail from my brother telling me the job was open," he said. "I immediately e-mailed (Allen athletic director Steve) Williams and just went through the process. I evidently left a good impression last time and was fortunate enough to be offered the job this go around."
Indeed he had left a good impression, and not just for his work on the court.
"Coach McCullough had a very successful program both at Sherman and up in Oklahoma," Williams said. "But he is also very passionate about the game and making these kids better people as well as better players."
The importance of the Eagles' job clearly loomed large for McCullough, who was residing in Norman when he got word of the opening.
"I grew up in this area and have been around it for a long time," he said. "When you look at Allen and what they've done athletically, I just think it's going to be one of the premier programs in the state."
McCullough, who was chosen over six other finalists, spent the last two years helming the boys basketball program at Norman High School. The move north came due to a need for a change of scenery and a chance to broaden McCullough's coaching horizons, whether it was a chance to pick the brains of coaches at the University of Oklahoma, watch practices or build contacts.
In fact, McCullough had recently gone so far as to buy a house in Norman.
"I felt like [Norman] was where I wanted to be until this job opened," McCullough said. "You're sitting on a gold mine at Allen as far as potential and talent."
Prior to Norman, McCullough carved out his coaching career in the Metroplex, spending 13 years at Sherman -- four as an assistant and nine as the boys head coach. It was during his stay with the Bearcats that McCullough got to lay the groundwork for his approach to the court.
"We're going to get kids to play hard and challenge these kids to push themselves," he said. "I want to get them to play hard on the defensive side of the ball, especially."
McCullough emphasized an up-tempo, fast-paced style with depth and occasional full-court pressure as staples of his methodology.
"There were a number of years where we were among the top teams in the Dallas area in scoring," McCullough said, "but at the same time, we did that through what we did defensively."
During his time at Sherman, McCullough also had a chance to square off against the Eagles, laying the groundwork for what has become an annual tradition in Allen's basketball schedule by having opened non-district play against the Bearcats each of the past four years. The Bearcats went 2-0 against Allen in McCullough's final two seasons at Sherman and he has maintained contact with Specht over the years.
"I've been able to talk with coach Specht about the kids coming back," McCullough said, "and we think there's a core group of young men who have a lot of potential to take the program to the next level.
"I think we have a good mix of athleticism and size."
The returning team's experience plus the overall direction of the program were key reasons in Specht's decision to retire -- wanting to assure the Eagles were in good shape for the future. Specht's retirement set off a chain reaction of sorts in the Eagles' basketball coaching tree, with former assistant coach Jeremy Josey taking a head coaching position at Sulphur Springs.
With McCullough's hiring, the newly-appointed coach has assigned the opening at assistant to his brother, Joe, who previously coached the boys program at Van Alstyne.
Together, the two look to pick up right where Specht and Company left off.
"Play hard, play smart and play together," McCullough said. "Do those three things and the winning will take care of itself."
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