But the Otago twenty/20 captain is determined not to use the upheaval as an excuse for some poor performances.
The Black Caps have a huge summer ahead with a home and away series against Zimbabwe, a tough tour to Australia and a home series against South Africa.
Ordinarily that would be a big enough challenge, but the national side has had the sort of makeover which would make for some really bad reality TV.
Former Australian coach John Buchanan was appointed as the new director of cricket in April.
In June, Ross Taylor won the presidential-style battle with McCullum to replace Daniel Vettori as the captain.
Then in July, the previous three-man selection panel of Glenn Turner, Mark Greatbatch and Lance Cairns was axed in favour of a two-man panel headed by Black Caps coach John Wright.
And last week, former Bowls Australia high performance manager Kim Littlejohn was controversially appointed to the position of national selection manager. It is a great title but the reality is he is little more than an adviser, with Wright having the final say on any selection matters.
"We've got a whole new set-up ... and some big decisions have been made during the off-season," McCullum said.
"But from a player's point of view it is important we don't use that as an excuse for results. I'm pretty hot on this myself.
"I'd be guessing if I tried to give you some understanding or say I knew anything about the directions of some of those decisions. My role is very much as a senior member of the team and I don't necessarily have any input into that other stuff.
"We're heading into some uncharted territory. There is a bit of uncertainty there but ... what was going on before wasn't working.
"I'm not necessarily a massive advocate of complete overhaul but, in this instance, let's give it a chance and see how it goes. It doesn't change how I go about scoring runs and taking catches."
McCullum will captain the Otago twenty/20 team this summer and will also play for the Brisbane Heat in the Australian domestic twenty/20 competition.
Both tournaments are being played at the same time but McCullum said his loyalty was to Otago.
"There are no clashes - I'm contractually obliged to Otago cricket and I have the role as captain and I won't miss a game. I'm looking forward to that responsibility and that challenge."
McCullum said he would probably only play two or three matches for the Heat and only when there was a big enough gap between Otago games to fit in a trip across the Tasman.
"I don't see it as a distraction but more of an opportunity," he said.
"I'm looking forward to playing in the Big Bash as well. It is going to be a tremendous tournament."
There will be a lot of travel but it is par for the course for today's top professional cricketers.
As far as touring and hosting Zimbabwe, McCullum said he would leave the political decisions to the politicians.
"Like every other decision we go with what is determined by our governing board. They've made that decision and until that changes I'll be on that plane."
