BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (WBTV) – A North Carolina Division I football head coach was fired after one game in his first year on the job.
On Wednesday, Sept. 2, Gardner-Webb University fired their head football coach Kris McCullough after he was suspended earlier this week. McCullough was suspended on Monday, Aug. 31, pending the outcome of an investigation.
It was not immediately clear what was being investigated.
McCullough was hired by the university in December 2025 and his first game was on Thursday, Aug. 27, against FCS No. 18 Austin Peay, a 35-27 loss.
Pete Bennett will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The University said they had no additional comment at this time.
Before arriving in Cleveland County McCullough was the head coach of Division II University of Texas-Permian Basin. At the time of his hiring at University of Texas-Permian Basin he was the youngest head coach college football.
McCullough led the University of Texas-Permian Basin to two NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2023 and 2025 and the Heritage Bowl in 2024.
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