 Dennis McCulloch
Head Coach
Dennis McCulloch begins his 15th year at Valley City State and his 11th as the head football coach. The Vikings finished last years campaign 5-5. The 2005 Vikings captured the Dakota Athletic Conference crown by posting a 6-1 record, sharing the title with Dickinson State. McCulloch earned DAC Coach of the Year honors in 2005.
McCullochs' 2000 and 2001 Vikings completed impressive 9-2 seasons, capturing a share of the 2000 DAC-10 championship and making the NAIA National Playoffs in both seasons. As a result of his efforts, McCulloch was named the DAC-10 Coach of the Year in 2000.
Prior to becoming the head coach, McCulloch compiled a 9-1 regular season record and a NDCAC championship in his third season as the defensive coordinator with the Vikings in 1996.
A native of Milbank, SD, McCulloch received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern State and went on to receive his Master of Science Degree from NSU in 1989. In McCulloch’s time at Northern State he developed a diverse background of experience while coaching linebackers, defensive line, defensive backs and working as the recruiting coordinator.
In 1991, McCulloch became the head football coach at Frazee (MN) High School and before coming to VCSU as the defensive coordinator in 1993. McCulloch’s 1996 defense finished the season ranked #2 in NAIA scoring defense, captured a conference championship and qualified for the NAIA Playoffs.
McCulloch became the 22nd head football coach in Valley City State history in December of 1996. The Vikings have amassed a 71-52 record in McCulloch’s fifteen seasons at the helm including a 60-31 record since 1999.
In his tenure, 11 Vikings have earned NAIA All-American honors while 21 players have been named NAIA All-American Scholar-Athletes. McCulloch enters the 2007 season second on the all-time victory list behind only VCSU Hall-of-Fame coach Jim Dew’s 116 career victories.
Dennis and his wife Lisa, have 3 children, Ryan a Sophomore at VCSU, Meghan, and Alexa.
 Gregg Horner
Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Gregg Horner begins his 15th year in the Viking program, serving as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator.
The Fargo native is a 1990 graduate of VCSU and a member of the 1988 squad that captured a NDCAC title and an NAIA Playoff berth. Gregg was also selected as the VCSU Student Senate President in 1989. Horner spent one season as a student assistant coach at VCSU working with the defensive line under former Head Coach Jim Dew.
Following graduation, Gregg moved on to spend two years as an assistant coach and social science teacher at Gardner-Edgerton High School in Gardner, Kansas.
Getting the opportunity to get back into the college game he earned his Masters degree while serving as a graduate assistant coach at South Dakota State from 1992-94.
In 1994, Gregg returned to VCSU where he served as the defensive line coach and Director of Student Activities.
In 1996, he was named the Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Football Coach.
As a coach at VCSU Coach Horner has been a part of three conference championships and three national playoff appearances. His defenses have finished #1 in both scoring defense and total defense in the DAC-10 2000 and 2001 and have produced 29 All-DAC performers, nine NAIA Scholar All-Americans and four NAIA All-Americans.
In 2004, linebacker Josh Kasowski was named to the NAIA’s 1st team defense while setting the VCSU record for tackles.
Since becoming the defensive coordinator, the Horner led defense has set 16 team or individual school records.
Gregg is also a Lecturer in the Health Physical Education department at VCSU. Gregg and his wife Kathleen have two children, Iain and Maren.
Dave Rausch
Linebackers
Dave Rausch begins his 22nd season as a member of the Viking coaching staff.
An All-American linebacker for the Vikings in 1976 and 1977, Rausch led the 1976 team to the NAIA playoffs and the 1977 team to an undefeated 9-0 season.
After receiving his degree in 1978, Rausch was employed by Grotberg Electric as an accountant from 1978 up until 1997. In 1998 Rausch opened his own branch of Raymond James Financial Services Incorporated.
Under his guidance, Rouper saw linebacker Ben Aarestad break his school record for tackles in a career with 328 eclipsing his record of 310. Rausch still owns the school record for assisted tackles in a career with 230. In 1988, Dave was inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame.
Travis Engen
Defensive Line
Travis Engen begins his 9th season at VCSU. The Rogers, Minnesota native played 1 year at VCSU in 1996 before turning to the coaching field. During his 8 years at VCSU he has been a part of 3 conference championships.
In 2001 he coached as a graduate assistant at South Dakota State before transferring to complete his degree in Business Management at the University of Mary where he was part of the Marauders conference championship.
Travis coaches the defensive line for the Vikings squad and also the strength and conditioning coach. While at VCSU he has coached 3 NAIA All-Americans and including Brent Miller who set the school record for tackles for loss.
Rob Hunt
Offensive Line
Rob Hunt begins his inaugural season, coaching the offensive line, with the VCSU Vikings. Rob played collegiate football at North Dakota State University and has been awarded several honors including the Remmington Award for the best center in D1AA.
Hunt was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft and was a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints. Rob also played in the 2008 Arena Football D1 season with the New Orleans Voodoo, and two seasons of NFL Europe.
Rob and his wife Rachelle live in Valley City. Rachelle is also the athletic trainer for VCSU athletics.
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