Gardner-Webb fires football coach Kris McCullough after one game; Pete Bennett takes over as interim coach

BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner Webb University has dismissed head football coach Kris McCullough, ending a tenure that lasted one game and placing the Runnin’ Bulldogs under interim leadership early in the 2026 season.

McCullough, hired in December 2025, arrived in Boiling Springs as a rising offensive mind after successful head coaching stops at East Central and UT Permian Basin. His hiring followed the departure of former coach Cris Reisert, who led Gardner Webb for two seasons, including a 7 5 campaign in 2025, before leaving to become Toledo’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. McCullough inherited a program that had experienced recent postseason success under Tre Lamb and remained competitive in conference play, but his Gardner Webb tenure ended before it could develop beyond the opening week.

University officials announced that McCullough’s contract had been terminated, effective immediately, and said the school would have no additional comment. The dismissal came two days after Gardner Webb suspended him pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation; the university has not publicly disclosed the cause of the investigation or the reason for the firing. McCullough coached one game for the Bulldogs, a 35 17 season opening loss at Austin Peay.

Special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Pete Bennett will continue as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. The move continues a period of transition for Gardner Webb football, which has now gone from Tre Lamb to Reisert to McCullough to Bennett in a short span. The program’s recent history has included conference titles, FCS playoff appearances and a rebuilt identity, but frequent leadership changes have made sustained momentum difficult.

Gardner Webb now turns its focus to stabilizing the season while determining its next long term direction. Bennett inherits a team still near the beginning of its schedule, with the Bulldogs trying to regroup quickly after an abrupt coaching change and a season opening loss. Gardner Webb is scheduled to continue its road swing next week at Wofford, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Spartanburg.

BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb has turned to one of college football’s fastest-rising young coaches to lead its program into a new era. Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey announced that Kris McCullough, the record‑setting head coach at Texas‑Permian Basin, has been hired as the next head football coach of the Runnin’ Bulldogs.

McCullough, 30, arrives in Boiling Springs with a résumé that reads like a decade’s worth of momentum compressed into a few remarkable seasons. Hired at UTPB in December 2022 as the youngest head coach in college football, he quickly transformed the Falcons into a Division II contender. His debut season produced a 10‑2 record, the first Lone Star Conference championship in school history, and a national ranking as high as No. 18. Two years later, he delivered the best season the program had ever seen: 11 wins, a trip to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals, and a No. 3 final ranking in the AFCA poll.

Across his two playoff seasons at UTPB, McCullough’s teams became known for explosive offense, disciplined defense, and a knack for developing talent. The 2025 Falcons ranked among the nation’s best in passing offense, total yards, total touchdowns, and pass defense, while linebacker Tristan Exline emerged as a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist. In all, 27 players earned All‑Lone Star Conference honors last fall.

Fahey said those results—and the culture behind them—made McCullough the clear choice.

“Kris’s proven track record speaks for itself,” Fahey said. “He has built a culture of excellence both on and off the field. His ability to recruit elite talent, develop players, and win championships makes him an ideal leader here at Gardner‑Webb.”

Before his rise at UTPB, McCullough engineered a dramatic turnaround at East Central University, guiding the Tigers to a 9‑3 season and a Heritage Bowl victory in 2022—their best campaign since 1993. His earlier stops included Fairmont State, Old Dominion, and Henderson State, where he began his coaching career as an undergraduate assistant.

McCullough has collected a long list of accolades along the way, including 2023 Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year and national “Under‑40” and “Under‑35” recognitions from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, AFCA, and 247Sports.

A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, McCullough said he and his family are eager to join the Gardner‑Webb community.

“This is an awesome opportunity and a program with rich history,” he said. “It will take every Runnin’ Bulldog to continue to move this program forward. Sko Dawgs.” 

WINSTON-SALEM – Winston-Salem State University has turned to one of its most decorated alumni to lead the Rams back to prominence. The school announced that Tory Woodbury, a Hall of Fame quarterback who guided WSSU to back-to-back CIAA titles in 1999 and 2000 and later earned a Super Bowl LVI ring as a coach with the Los Angeles Rams, will serve as the program’s next head football coach.

A Storied Playing Career

Woodbury’s name is etched into WSSU history. A dual-threat quarterback, he amassed more than 4,500 passing yards, 1,000 rushing yards, and 60 total touchdowns during his career. His leadership carried the Rams to consecutive CIAA championships, cementing his place among the program’s all-time greats. He was inducted into the WSSU Hall of Fame in 2008 and the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2016, honors that reflect his enduring impact on the conference and the university.  

From NFL Fields to Coaching Sidelines

After college, Woodbury spent eight years as a professional player, including stints with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, and Arena Football League teams. His transition into coaching was equally dynamic. He worked at the high school level in North Carolina before moving into college coaching roles at Delaware State, Johnson C. Smith, Howard, and Norfolk State.  

Woodbury’s résumé also includes NFL experience. He served as an assistant quarterbacks coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars and later joined the Los Angeles Rams as an assistant special teams coach and scout. With the Rams, he contributed to their Super Bowl LVI championship run, earning a ring as part of the coaching staff.  

Restoring the Standard

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for WSSU football. The Rams have struggled to reclaim their championship form in recent seasons, finishing outside the top of the CIAA standings. Chancellor Bonita J. Brown emphasized that Woodbury’s hire is about more than nostalgia: “We are restoring the standard of excellence that WSSU football has always represented.”  

A New Era at Bowman-Gray

For Woodbury, the return to Winston-Salem is both personal and professional. A hometown native, he now carries the responsibility of reviving the Rams’ storied tradition at Bowman-Gray Stadium. With his pedigree as a championship player, seasoned coach, and beloved alumnus, Woodbury’s arrival signals a new era of ambition and expectation for WSSU football.

WINSTON-SALEM – Winston-Salem State University is preparing for a major transition in its football program following the announcement that head coach Robert Massey will step down at the end of the year. Massey, who has led the Rams since 2019, informed university officials of his decision and will officially resign effective December 31, 2025. He will continue coaching through December and assist with transition planning, focusing on recruiting, player development, and program operations.

Massey’s tenure at WSSU has been marked by both challenges and achievements. Over six seasons, he compiled a 25-34 overall record, including a 20-23 mark in CIAA conference play. The Rams experienced a difficult stretch with four consecutive losing seasons, the longest such streak for the program since 1976. However, Massey’s leadership brought a turnaround in 2024, when the team posted its only winning record under his guidance, finishing 7-3. The 2025 season saw the Rams end with a 4-6 record, signaling the end of an era.

University officials and student-athletes have expressed gratitude for Massey’s dedication and impact. Chancellor Bonita J. Brown praised his commitment, stating, “Coach Massey has served our student-athletes with dedication and care. We are grateful for his leadership and for the positive impact he has had on Rams Football.” Massey is credited with strengthening recruiting pipelines, improving day-to-day operations, and expanding support systems for student-athletes. His focus extended beyond the field, emphasizing personal growth and the development of a positive team culture.

Reflecting on his time at WSSU, Massey said, “Athletics is about more than competition; it’s about helping young people discover who they can become. I am proud of the student-athletes I’ve been able to coach and the culture we built together. WSSU will always have a special place in my heart.”

Massey’s coaching career began at North Carolina Central, his alma mater, where he served as a wide receivers and defensive backs coach. Before joining WSSU, he held head coaching roles at Livingstone College (interim, 2005-2006) and Shaw University (2012-2015), compiling a combined record of 16-44. His experience as a coach was preceded by a notable NFL career, highlighted by a Pro Bowl selection in 1992 as a member of the Phoenix Cardinals (now Arizona Cardinals).

With Massey’s departure, WSSU will begin the search for its next head football coach. While the process is underway, position coaches and administrative staff will oversee daily activities to ensure continuity. Interim Director of Athletics Eric Burns emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting student-athletes academically, personally, and athletically during the transition.

This was first reported by HBCU Gameday.

MARS HILL - After 49 years of coaching and 32 seasons leading Mars Hill University's football program, Tim Clifton will retire following the 2025 season, marking the end of one of the most successful tenures in Division II football history.

The university announced Kevin Barnette, who has served as defensive coordinator for the past 31 years, will take over as head coach, ensuring continuity for a program that has become a South Atlantic Conference powerhouse under Clifton's leadership.

Clifton's decision to step away stems from a desire to spend more time with family, particularly his four grandchildren, including a granddaughter born this summer. His retirement closes a remarkable chapter that saw him become the winningest coach in Mars Hill history with 173 victories while ranking second in the SAC in both overall and conference wins.

The veteran coach's resume speaks to sustained excellence. He's coached 20 All-Americans, mentored over 100 All-Conference players, and developed six athletes who reached the NFL. Most notably, he coached Jonas Randolph, who won the 2011 Harlon Hill Trophy, the SAC's only winner of Division II football's highest individual honor.

Recent success reinforces Clifton's enduring impact. Over the past four seasons, Mars Hill captured two Mountain Division Championships while posting a 28-12 overall record and 24-9 conference mark.

Director of Athletics Rick Baker, who worked alongside Clifton for 31 years, praised the retiring coach's commitment to developing character alongside competitive success.

Barnette brings deep institutional knowledge to his new role. A Mars Hill native and alumnus, he played defensive back from 1981-84, earning second-team All-American honors and setting school records for interceptions in a game and season. Inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, Barnette returned to campus in 1988 after coaching stops at Asheville Junior High, Wingate University, and Forest Hills High School.

His 37 years on staff, including more than three decades as defensive coordinator, position him uniquely to maintain the program's culture while advancing his own vision. Barnette holds a master's degree in sports science and serves on the physical education faculty. He and his wife Recy have three children.

Baker emphasized that Barnette shares Clifton's values-driven approach, prioritizing leadership development that extends beyond the playing field.

The Lions open their 2025 season September 6 at home against Winston-Salem State University, beginning a transition year that honors the past while embracing the future.