Norman boys basketball coach Jeff McCullough steps down to return to Texas

MUG: Jeff McCullough, Norman boys basketball coach, poses for a photo during winter high school sports photo day at OPUBCO in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Jeff McCullough wasn’t looking to leave Norman. But an opportunity presented itself, and he couldn’t pass it up.

McCullough has stepped down as Norman’s boys basketball coach to accept the same position in Allen, Texas, located just northeast of Dallas.

“Someone told me it’s the third-largest school in Texas,” McCullough said. “It’s a good program and a good community, and it gets us back closer to family.”

McCullough came to Norman from his hometown of Sherman, Texas, where he coached current OU player Cameron Clark. McCullough took over a program on hard times, coming off a 4-22 season, but led them to double-digit win totals in each of his two seasons. The Tigers were 14-10 this year.

“I wasn’t trying to leave Norman,” McCullough said. “I’ve been really happy with the direction of the program, and I was excited about the team that’s coming back next year.”