Gardner-Webb University Announces Kris McCullough as New Head Football Coach

McCullough Brings a Decade of Experience, Coaching Awards, and Playoff Appearances to GWU Program

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has announced the hiring of Kris McCullough as the new head coach of the Gardner-Webb football program.

McCullough arrives at Gardner-Webb with a decade of experience at various levels and positions as a college football coach. Most recently, he served as the head coach at the University of Texas-Permian Basin (UTPB), a position he held from December 2022, when he was hired as the youngest head coach in college football. Prior to his time in Odessa, Texas, McCullough also spent a successful season as the head coach of East Central University in Ada, Okla., where he led the Tigers to a nine-win season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kris McCullough as the next head coach of Gardner-Webb Football,” said Fahey. “Kris’ proven track record speaks for itself—with 37 victories over four excellent seasons, two playoff appearances, and a program that has consistently competed at the highest level. He has built a culture of excellence both on and off the field, developing young men who succeed at the next level. Kris’ ability to recruit elite talent, develop players, and win championships makes him an ideal leader here at Gardner-Webb. We are excited to welcome Kris and his entire family into the Gardner-Webb family and couldn’t be more excited about the future of Runnin’ Bulldogs football with him at the helm.”

While leading the UTPB program, McCullough guided the Falcons to a pair of NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2023 and 2025, and the Heritage Bowl in 2024. He helped lead the program to a 10-2 record and the first Lone Star Conference title in school history in his debut season at the helm in 2023, and a national ranking as high as No. 18. His final season at UTPB was perhaps his finest, guiding the Falcons to a program-record 11 wins, a first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals, and a national ranking of No. 3 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll, the first time the Falcons ever ended a season inside the top-five of a major poll.

In addition, the Falcons placed 27 players on All-Lone Star Conference teams and ranked near the top of NCAA Division II in various categories in 2025, including first in total passing yards, third in passing offense, fourth in total yards, fifth in total touchdowns, and third in pass defense. Under the guidance of McCullough, linebacker Tristan Exline was named a finalist for the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy, the award given the nation’s best Division II player in a given season.

“My family and I are excited to get to Boiling Springs and become part of the Runnin’ Bulldog family,” said McCullough. “This is an awesome opportunity and a program with rich history, and it will take every Runnin’ Bulldog to continue to move this program forward. Sko Dawgs!”

McCullough also received several individual awards and accolades during his time at UTPB, including 2023 Lone Star Conference Coach of The Year, 2023 Dave Campbell All-Texas Non-FBS Coach of The Year, and 2023 College Football Network D2 Coach of The Year. Additionally, he was named a Dave Campbell Texas Football “40 Under 40” selection, an AFCA “35 Under 35” Leadership Institute selection, a 247Sports.com “30 Under 30” selection, and saw his team nominated as an Allstate AFCA Good Works team. McCullough did all this on top of becoming the fourth coach in college football history to win 30 games before the age of 30, joining the likes of all-time football greats such as Pop Warner.

Prior to his time at UTPB, McCullough held several different positions at East Central University between 2018 and 2022, including a brief stint as interim head coach before eventually being promoted to lead the program. The 2022 season proved to be a successful one for McCullough in his first season as a college head coach, leading East Central to its best season since 1993 by finishing with a 9-3 record and a Heritage Bowl victory. Under McCullough, the team led NCAA Division II in turnover margin, and scored just shy of 30 points per game. The 2022 East Central team also posted the second-least number of turnovers in the country, ranked third for time of possession, while finishing second in forced turnovers on the defensive end.

In 2017, McCullough was named running back coach and assistant special team coordinator at Fairmont State University in West Virginia. He helped lead the program to an 8-3 season. He contributed to the development of running back Terrell Charles, who posted over 2,000 yards for the season, a mark that is top 10 in program history. Fairmont State continued a strong upward trajectory with McCullough on staff between 2017 and 2018, where the program placed top 30 in interceptions thrown and turnovers lost, and top 40 in the nation for turnover margin.

A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., McCullough was a multi-sport athlete in high school, playing both football and baseball at Watson Chapel High School. He is a 2017 graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., where he received his Bachelor of Integrated Studies and served as an undergraduate assistant for the football program. His time at Henderson allowed McCullough to work with one of the nation’s best offenses. He was part of an 11-2 team in 2015, winning the Great American Conference (GAC) and making the first NCAA Division II semifinals in the school’s history. The team was also the GAC conference leader in turnover margin, fourth in completion percentage, and fifth in red zone completion percentage. After graduating from Henderson, McCullough worked as offensive quality control and assistant quarterback coach at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.

McCullough completed his master’s in sports administration in 2019 at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Joining McCullough at Gardner-Webb is Hannah, his wife of seven years, and their two children, SJ and KJ.

For updates, game times, and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit gwusports.com, or follow @gwusports on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.