Gardner-Webb dismisses head football coach Kris McCullough

Gardner-Webb dismissed head football coach Kris McCullough following an investigation. The move comes just one game into the 2026 season after McCullough presided over a 35-17 loss to Austin Peay. The school suspended McCullough on August 31 pending the outcome of an internal review before finalizing his dismissal. McCullough was hired in December 2025 and previously served as the head coach at the University of Texas-Permian Basin. He follows Tre Lamb and Cris Reisert in the program's leadership sequence. Special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Pete Bennett has assumed the role of head coach on an interim basis. The Runnin’ Bulldogs are scheduled to play Wofford in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on September 5.

• 6:03 PMYahoo Sports — Gardner-Webb football dismisses Kris McCullough, ESPN report says