Kris McCullough, the 2023 College Football Network DII Coach of the Year, entered the Gardner‑Webb job with a résumé that included two NCAA Division II playoff appearances and 28 victories at the University of Texas‑Permian Basin, where his teams consistently ranked among the nation’s top performers.
At UTPB, McCullough guided the Rams to a third‑place finish in the final Division II poll of 2025, cementing his reputation as a builder of competitive programs and earning him a reputation as one of the most successful coaches at the division level.
A Promising Beginning at Gardner‑Webb
In December 2025, Gardner‑Webb University announced the hiring of McCullough to lead the Runnin’ Bulldogs, a program eager to capitalize on his proven track record and restore momentum after a period of inconsistency.
The optimism was short‑lived. The Bulldogs opened the 2026 season with a 35‑17 loss to Austin Peay on August 27, a result that raised immediate questions about the team’s readiness under McCullough’s leadership.
Just four days later, on August 31, the university suspended McCullough pending an investigation, though the specifics of the inquiry were not disclosed to the public or the media.
The suspension culminated in an immediate termination on the same day, with athletic director Pete Bennett stepping in as interim head coach. Gardner‑Webb’s decision to part ways after only one game underscored the high stakes and pressure surrounding the program’s aspirations.
Looking Ahead
The Runnin’ Bulldogs are slated to face Wofford College on September 5, 2026, a matchup that will test the resilience of a roster reshaped in the wake of McCullough’s abrupt departure.
While the university has not released details regarding the investigation, the swift move to replace McCullough with Bennett signals a commitment to stability as the team prepares for the upcoming contest.