Valley City State University

Entering the 2025 season, Dennis McCulloch is in his 32nd year at Valley City State University and his 29th season as head football coach, making him the longest-tenured and winningest coach in Viking Football history. McCulloch is also in his third year as VCSU Athletic Director, a position he began during the 2022–23 academic year. He is the former President of the NAIA Football Coaches Association.

During his tenure, McCulloch has guided the Vikings to a 162–118 overall record, six conference championships, and four NAIA national playoff appearances. He has earned six Conference Coach of the Year awards, while 23 Vikings have earned NAIA All-American honors and more than 100 have been recognized as NAIA Scholar-Athletes.

VCSU posted a 6–4 record in 2024, wrapping up its final season in the NSAA before transitioning into the Frontier Conference — regarded as one of the most competitive and physical leagues in the NAIA — for the 2025 season. Defensive lineman Riley Gerhardt concluded his career as a two-time 2nd Team All-American and set new school records for sacks and tackles for loss.

The Vikings finished 7–3 overall in 2023, including a 6–2 mark in NSAA play to earn a second-place finish. In 2022, VCSU closed the year with a 4–1 stretch over the final five games to finish 5–5 overall.

McCulloch guided VCSU to an 8–2 season in 2021, including a No. 15 national ranking, a school-record 21 interceptions, and allowing just 12.9 points per game, the program’s lowest mark since 1996.

Earlier in his career, McCulloch led the Vikings to four straight conference championships from 2011–14, multiple Top-25 national finishes, and NAIA Playoff berths in 2000, 2001, 2011, and 2014. He earned his 100th career win in 2014 and surpassed the VCSU all-time coaching wins record in 2016.

Before being named head coach in December 1996, McCulloch spent three seasons as VCSU’s defensive coordinator, helping lead the Vikings to the 1996 NDCAC Championship and a No. 2 national ranking in scoring defense. His coaching career also includes roles at Northern State University and as head coach at Frazee (Minn.) High School.

A native of Milbank, South Dakota, McCulloch holds both his Bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees from Northern State University.

McCulloch has three children — all graduates of VCSU: Ryan, Meghan, and Alexa.