NMJC (T&F) Tabs Ryan McCullough as Assistant T&F Throws/ Assistant XC Coach

NMJC is delighted to announce the hire of Ryan McCullough as the Assistant Track & Field Throws/ Assistant Cross Country Coach.

"I am really excited to join the Track & Field coaching staff at New Mexico Junior College and be a part of the Thunderbird athletic department," McCullough said. "I want to thank our Director of Athletics Deron Clark and coaches Kathleen Raske, Terry VanLaningham and Jeff Becker for granting me this amazing opportunity."

McCullough was previously the Assistant Track and Field Throws Coach at Tiffin University (2023-25).

"In the hiring process, I was really impressed with the competitive nature of this athletic department and the amount of support that is given to the Track & Field program," McCullough said. "I am ready to learn and contribute in my new coaching role. I will do my best to prepare our student athletes for high level championship performances and success in life beyond their competitive career."

McCullough is well versed in the junior college world as he was the throws coach at Cloud County (Kan.) Community College during the 2020-2021 season. He was also the throws coach at his alma mater Central Michigan University in 2021-2022. McCullough spent time as a volunteer assistant at UCLA in 2015. 

"We are excited to welcome Ryan McCullough to the team," NMJC men's and women's track & field coaches Terry VanLaningham and Kathleen Raske said. "Ryan brings several layers of experience that will greatly enhance his ability to coach our athletes to new heights. We value the commitment he has made over the years both as a national class thrower and a coach, to seek out and learn from some of the best throw coaches in the U.S."

"We are looking forward to his contributions as we continue to strive for team championships and for our student-athletes academic success."

NMJC's cross country head coach Jeff Becker echoes that same sentiment with the hire of Coach McCullough.

"We are excited that Coach Ryan McCullough is joining our program," Coach Becker said. "He comes to us as one of the top young throws coaches in the collegiate system and I am happy to have him assisting with our cross country program as well this fall." 

At Tiffin, McCullough coached five individual NCAA Division II qualifiers and three NCAA Division II All-Americans. The men's team was crowned G-MAC Indoor Champions in 2024 and 2025 during his time with the Dragons.

McCullough also saw success in the junior college system with Cloud County CC. There he coached seven USTFCCCA individual All-Americans including 15 USTFCCCA All-American performances. In Concordia, Kan., Coach McCullough mentored one USTFCCCA Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, one two-time NJCAA national champion, and two of his athletes set multiple school records.

The Cloud women's team was named NJCAA Region VI Champions in both indoor and outdoor while the men's team was named NJCAA Region VI Indoor Champions in 2021 as well.

McCullough attended Central Michigan from 2007-12 where as a Chippewa, won the hammer throw and was named the Outstanding Male Field Performer at the 2012 Mid-American Conference Championships before going on to earn All-America honors. He at one time held the program record, 210 feet, 7 inches (64.20m), in the event.

He competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2016 and was the 2017 Irish National Champion in the hammer throw and competed with the Irish national team at the 2019 European Throws Cup and at the 2019 European Athletics Team Championships. McCullough holds the Throwing Event Specialist certification from the USTFCCCA and USA Weightlifting Level 1 certification.

A native of Cadillac, Michigan, McCullough graduated from Central Michigan University in 2012 with a degree in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Concentration with a Physical Education minor. 

Ryan will begin his duties with NMJC starting Monday, Aug. 11.