The 2026 Carolina Gridiron Preseason All Gridiron Team features a deep and experienced group of standouts from across North Carolina, headlined by East Lincoln tight end Jaxon Dollar, the state’s top ranked recruit and one of the most nationally recognized players in the 2026 class. Dollar, committed to Georgia, enters the season as the most complete offensive weapon in the state and the centerpiece of this year’s preseason roster.

Behind Dollar, the rest of the top recruits also earned All Gridiron honors. Millbrook defensive lineman Rashad Streets (Oregon) anchors a loaded defensive front, while Garner linebacker Aroson Randle (Miami) brings range and physicality to the second level. Cardinal Gibbons defensive back Xavier Hasan, committed to Notre Dame, headlines the secondary, and Hough defensive back Joshua Dobson (South Carolina) rounds out the group as one of the most reliable cover corners in the state.

Hough quarterback Ethan Royal (Marshall) leads the offense after guiding one of North Carolina’s most efficient attacks last fall. He’s joined in the backfield by Rolesville’s Amir Brown (Nebraska) and Southeast Raleigh’s Christian Freeman (NC State), two backs capable of changing a drive with one touch.

Rolesville wideout Anthony Roberts (Virginia Tech) and Southern Durham’s Jonathan Dillon (Duke) give the receiver group a pair of polished route runners, while Crest’s Majay Thompson, committed to Florida State, adds a big play threat on the perimeter.

The offensive line features a strong mix of size and experience with Bryce Johnson (East Carolina), Charlie Reece (Wake Forest), Cooper Hodson (Delaware), Gavin Milton (Duke), and Moreno Fisher (Virginia).

Defensively, the front is one of the strongest the preseason list has seen in years. Alongside Streets, St. Pauls standout Antwan McKoy (Georgia), Seventy First’s John Archer (South Carolina), Corvian’s Nate Kamba (Auburn), and Jordan’s Xavier Perkins (Virginia Tech) form a group capable of controlling games at the line of scrimmage.

Lincolnton’s Jalaythan Mayfield (Indiana) and Millbrook’s Quinton Cupher, committed to Ohio State, join Randle at linebacker, giving the unit a blend of athleticism and toughness.

The secondary includes Clayton’s Akedran Crumel, still undecided, along with Dobson, Shelton (Wake Forest), and Hasan. Southern Durham athlete Lance Henderson, committed to Duke, earns the ATH spot for his versatility across multiple phases.

Special teams round out the roster with Middle Creek punter Ben LaDue, Providence kicker Jamison Causey, and Asheville Christian long snapper Sean Kraft, a Notre Dame commit.

The 2026 Preseason All Gridiron Team highlights the players who have already earned statewide respect, and in many cases, national attention. With five of the state’s top recruits leading the way, this group sets the tone for what should be another standout season across North Carolina.

RICHMOND – The CAA released its 2026 preseason poll Wednesday morning, and while Rhode Island dominated the headlines as the near unanimous pick to win the league, the story in North Carolina centers on how Elon, Campbell, and North Carolina A&T stack up entering a pivotal season for all three programs.

Elon earned 115 points and a third-place finish, landing just behind Monmouth and well ahead of the middle of the pack. It’s the Phoenix’s strongest preseason position since joining the CAA, and it reflects the program’s consistency – five straight seasons finishing .500 or better in conference play. The league’s coaches clearly respect what returns in 2026:

• RB Jimmyll Williams (Durham): a preseason All-CAA selection after rushing for 673 yards last season.  
• FB/HB Dylan Magazu: one of the few fullbacks in the league capable of impacting games as both a blocker and short-yardage option.  
• WR Landyn Backey: an honorable mention pick who gives Elon a reliable downfield threat.  
• LB Brodie Carroll: a preseason All-CAA linebacker coming off a 104‑tackle season.  
• S Tony Hart III: another preseason selection and one of the league’s most active safeties.

Elon’s defensive core, Carroll, Hart, and DL Dillon Pardue (honorable mention), gives the Phoenix one of the most stable units in the conference. If the offense takes even a modest step forward, Elon has a legitimate shot to finish in the top three again.

Campbell landed 56 points, good for eighth place. It’s a slight dip from last year’s expectations, but the Camels have pieces that could outperform their ranking. The biggest headline is LB DaVonyae Pettis, who earned honorable mention after a strong 2025 season. Campbell’s defense has been young for two straight years; now it’s finally experienced. Offensively, the Camels return enough production to be competitive, but the poll reflects the uncertainty around how quickly the unit will settle under new leadership and a tougher schedule. Campbell has hovered around the middle of the CAA since joining. This year’s roster suggests they could climb; but they’ll need early-season consistency to do it.

North Carolina A&T was picked 12th with 28 points, ahead of only Hampton. It’s a low projection, but not surprising given the Aggies’ transition struggles since joining the CAA. Still, there are bright spots:

• OL Andrew Dorsey: honorable mention and one of the league’s most experienced interior linemen.  
• PR Elijah Kennedy (High Point): preseason All-CAA punt returner and one of the most explosive special teams players in the conference.

The Aggies’ challenge is depth. They’ve recruited well, but the roster is still young in key spots. If the offense stabilizes and the defense can avoid the big-play issues that plagued 2025, A&T has enough talent to outperform a 12th-place prediction.

Rhode Island received 12 of 13 possible first-place votes, returning 15 starters from a team that went 11‑3 and won the league outright last season. Senior QB Devin Farrell, the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, headlines an offense loaded with All‑CAA talent. Monmouth, under new head coach Jeff Gallo, sits second and brings back the core of last year’s No. 1 offense in FCS. Elon is the highest-ranked NC team, followed by Campbell and A&T.

North Carolina was well represented across the league’s preseason honors:

• Jimmyll Williams (Elon) RB, Durham
• Dylan Magazu (Elon) FB/HB
• Tim Hogan (Elon) OL, Raleigh
• Tony Hart III (Elon) S
• Elijah Kennedy (North Carolina A&T) PR, High Point
• Mitch Summers (Sacred Heart) RB, Greensboro
• Omari Allen (Hampton) OL, Henderson
• Luke Barnes (Elon) PK, Greensboro

CHARLOTTE – Manny Diaz walked into ACC Kickoff with purpose. Before anyone could ask a question, he addressed the elephant in the room: the new ACC tiebreaker rule that was created because of Duke’s path to last year’s championship game. He did not tiptoe around it whatsoever.

“Inherent in the narrative of changing a tiebreaker is the assertion that last year’s team was undeserved of being in the championship game,” Diaz said. “I think it is not just false. I think it is insulting.” Diaz defended his team with clarity. Duke won the games it needed to win. Duke earned its spot. Duke beat Virginia in Charlotte. And Duke finished with nine wins and a Sun Bowl victory. “We were the top team to go play Virginia,” Diaz said. “By the most objective metric you can have.”

It was a strong opening statement, and it set the tone for a program that refuses to apologize for success. Duke has won nine games in back-to-back seasons. Duke has won the state of North Carolina two years in a row. Duke has built a culture that has survived coaching changes, transfers, and roster turnover. Now Diaz wants to do it again.

Diaz talked openly about the four pillars of Duke’s rise: evaluation, acquisition, development, and deployment. He said Duke has won games in different ways each season because the staff adapts to the roster instead of forcing a system. 

In 2024, Duke won with defense. In 2025, Duke won with offense. This year, Diaz believes the roster is deeper, faster, and more balanced. “We have eleven guys running over twenty-two miles an hour,” Diaz said. “We have sixty-seven players running over twenty. Our guys are seeing real proof that if they follow the program, they get better.”

He credited strength coach David Feeley for building the foundation. He credited the locker room for maintaining the connection that keeps Duke from becoming a revolving door in the transfer era. “We have a very distinct ‘us’ at Duke,” Diaz said. “I am proud of that.”

Duke’s defense slipped last season and Diaz did not hide from it. “Somehow last year we lost urgency,” he said. “I do not know that we have a guy right now who knows for sure he is a starter, and that is fantastic.” The defensive end room lost Wesley Williams and Vincent Anthony to the NFL, but Diaz believes the next wave is ready. Kevin O’Connor had a strong spring. Tyshon Reed and Bryce Davis are pushing for snaps. New position coach Trent Harris has taken over a room that has produced NFL talent for decades.

The linebacker group is one of the deepest in the ACC. Nick Morris Jr. returns healthy. Luke Mergott is coming off a breakout season. Bradley Gompers, Will Felder, and Kendall Johnson give Duke real depth. Mergott said the key is not letting success change the approach. “The second you let it change your approach is the second you change as a player,” he said.

Running back Nate Sheppard had every reason to enter the transfer portal but chose to stay. “I believed in Coach Diaz’s vision,” Sheppard said. “We have one of the best locker rooms in the country.” Sheppard ran for more than eleven hundred yards last season and scored ten touchdowns. His one hundred seventy yards in the Sun Bowl were the third most by an ACC freshman in the last decade. Diaz challenged him to avoid complacency. “Do not be content,” Sheppard said. “Keep pushing.”

Tight end Jeremiah Hasley is four touchdowns away from Duke’s career record at the position. He has become one of the most reliable players on the roster and one of the strongest leaders in the program. “Our first goal is always to come back to Charlotte,” Hasley said. “Then the College Football Playoff.”

Schedule Breakdown

Duke’s 2026 schedule is balanced but challenging. It includes a strong opener, a pair of early home games, and a November stretch that will determine whether the Blue Devils can return to Charlotte.

Sep. 5 vs Tulane  

Sep. 12 at Illinois  

Sep. 19 vs Stanford  

Sep. 26 vs William and Mary  

Tulane is a quality opener. Illinois on the road is a physical test. Stanford at home is winnable. William and Mary is a chance to reset before ACC play. If Duke starts three and one, it will be in a strong position.

Oct. 10 at Georgia Tech  

Oct. 17 vs North Carolina  

Oct. 23 at Virginia  

Oct. 31 vs Boston College  

Georgia Tech on the road is always tricky. UNC in Durham is a rivalry game that has the potential for fireworks. Virginia reached the ACC title game last season and will not be overlooked. Boston College is a physical matchup that often comes down to the fourth quarter.

Nov. 7 at NC State  

Nov. 14 at Miami  

Nov. 20 vs Clemson  

Nov. 28 at Wake Forest  

Three road games in four weeks. Miami and NC State are both conference contenders. Clemson comes to Durham on a Friday night. Wake Forest closes the season with a rivalry game that has grown more competitive each year. If Duke is still in the ACC race by early November, this stretch will decide everything.

CHARLOTTE – Bill Belichick walked into ACC Kickoff with the same steady tone he has carried for decades. No theatrics. No slogans. No promises. Just a clear message that North Carolina is finally ahead of schedule instead of scrambling to catch up. Last year was a reset. This year is a build. “We are so far ahead of where we were last season,” Belichick said. “Our players are stronger, faster, and better fundamentally. Now we need to stack good days together.”

UNC went through a full roster overhaul in 2025. The Tar Heels played with quarterbacks who had not taken a single spring snap. They installed a new system with a new staff and a new head coach who was learning the college landscape in real time. The result was a four win season that tested everyone involved. Belichick did not hide from any of it. He said the biggest adjustment was learning the college ecosystem. Compliance. Scheduling. Recruiting windows. Building relationships across the university. It was a year of learning, and the Tar Heels paid for it on the field.

Now the foundation is in place. UNC returns a core of leaders in Melkart Abou Jaoude, Christo Kelly, and Jordan Shipp. The quarterback room is intact. The offense has merged Belichick’s NFL principles with Bobby Petrino’s college experience. The defense has continuity and a clearer identity. And the roster includes more than sixty new players, many of whom arrived in a combined freshman class after UNC skipped a traditional group in 2025.

Stability Under Center

UNC’s quarterback situation last year was chaotic. Gio Lopez was not on campus in the spring. Max Johnson was unavailable. The Tar Heels entered fall camp without a single quarterback who had run the offense in a live practice. This year will be different for the Tar Heels, though. “Our quarterbacks after spring ball are still here,” Belichick said. “They are out in player run practices. They can call the plays. They know what everyone is supposed to do.”

Jordan Shipp, the face of the program and the player teammates call Mr. Carolina, said he feels comfortable with every quarterback in the room. He praised each Tar Heels quarterback for their different strengths and said the competition has made him better.  “It does not matter who is throwing the ball,” Shipp said. “The stat sheet does not say why you dropped it. It just says you dropped it. So do not drop the ball.” Shipp’s confidence is a reflection of the stability UNC did not have last season.

A Tougher Defense Emerges

Melkart Abou Jaoude arrived at Delaware as a walk-on. He worked at a bagel shop during his senior year of high school. He carries that chip with him every day, and Belichick loves it. “He has great leadership and plays with consistency,” Belichick said. Abou Jaoude is the leading returning sack producer in the ACC. He said the key to taking another step is simple: consistency and trust in his teammates.

Christo Kelly brings a different kind of leadership. He was selected to the AFCA Good Works Team for his community service and has become one of the most respected voices in the locker room. He spoke openly about adversity, faith, and the responsibility of being a veteran. “There is no magic pill for success,” Kelly said. “Everything is done through hard work. You have to earn the respect of your teammates.”Belichick echoed that message. He said UNC is building a culture of tough, smart, dependable players who understand their roles and improve every day.

Moving Past Last Season

Jordan Shipp did not hide from the frustration of last season. He said the team felt like everyone wanted to see Belichick fail. He said the noise was loud and often ridiculous, including stories that claimed Belichick missed practice when he was standing right next to the players.

Instead of dividing the team, the criticism pulled them together. “It seemed like everybody was against us,” Shipp said. “But that helped us rally with each other. I bleed blue. I was not going anywhere.” Belichick praised Shipp’s leadership and said the returning players have set the tone for the newcomers. “We have a much better base to build off of,” Belichick said. “Now we need to keep improving.”

Schedule Breakdown

UNC’s 2026 schedule is balanced but demanding. It starts with a showcase game overseas and ends with a rivalry stretch that will define the season.

- Aug. 29 vs TCU in Dublin  

- Sep. 12 vs East Tennessee State  

- Sep. 19 at Clemson  

The opener in Ireland is a unique opportunity and a challenge. TCU is physical and experienced. East Tennessee State is a chance to settle in at home. Clemson on the road is one of the toughest environments in the ACC.

The middle of the season is a stretch that will reveal who UNC is.

- Oct. 3 vs Notre Dame  

- Oct. 10 at Pitt  

- Oct. 17 at Duke  

- Oct. 24 vs Syracuse  

- Oct. 31 vs Miami  

Notre Dame in Chapel Hill is a marquee game. Pitt and Duke on the road will test UNC’s toughness. Syracuse and Miami at home are swing games that will determine whether the Tar Heels enter November with momentum.

 Finish: rivalry and reality

- Nov. 7 at UConn  

- Nov. 14 vs Louisville  

- Nov. 21 at Virginia  

- Nov. 28 vs NC State  

UConn is a long trip at an awkward point in the schedule. Louisville is a contender in the conference this year. Virginia reached the ACC title game last season and will not be overlooked. NC State in Chapel Hill is the rivalry game that always carries weight.

Photos Courtesy of ACC Digital Services

CHARLOTTE – Jake Dickert didn’t waste time defining what Wake Forest football is supposed to be. He said it plainly, repeatedly, and with the conviction of a coach who knows exactly what he wants his program to look like.

Wake Forest is built in the dark.

It’s not a slogan. It’s not a marketing line. It’s the identity Dickert has hammered into the program since the day he arrived – humility, hunger, development, toughness, and a willingness to do the work when nobody’s watching.

Last year, that identity produced one of the quietest nine‑win seasons in ACC history. Wake Forest tied for the third‑best season in school history, won the Duke’s Mayo Bowl over an SEC opponent, and did it with a roster that was supposed to finish near the bottom of the league.

Dickert didn’t shy away from the challenge of sustaining it. “Good is the enemy of great,” he said. “Last year’s hunger, I can’t recreate that. This year’s team has to be humble enough to turn the lights out and get back in the dark.”

Wake Forest returns 60 players, adds more than 50 newcomers, and has one of the best staff retention rates in the country. That continuity is the backbone of Dickert’s confidence. “We can win in a lot of different ways,” he said. “We retained a tremendous depth of experience on the defensive side of the ball.”

The Deacons aren’t trying to be Clemson or Miami. Dickert made that clear. “If we think and act like Miami, we’re not going to be successful,” he said. “There’s a perfect lane of Wake Forest football.” That lane is development, connection, and consistency, and the roster reflects it.

Stability at quarterback

Wake Forest hasn’t always had stability under center, but Dickert believes he has it now in Gio Lopez, the South Alabama transfer who briefly landed at UNC before choosing Wake.

Lopez didn’t need to learn the offense from scratch – Wake’s OC Rob Ezell coached him at South Alabama. “The adjustment was pretty smooth,” Lopez said. “I already knew it.” That familiarity allowed Lopez to lead from day one. “You can’t ask for respect if you’re not doing the right things,” he said. “I had to show up early, be the first guy in, last guy out.” Lopez brings experience, mobility, and a calm presence,  and he’ll play behind a defense that expects to carry its weight.

A defense with continuity

Wake Forest’s defensive front returns intact, and Langston Hardy is the headliner. He doubled his sack total last season and became one of the ACC’s most disruptive edge players.

Hardy missed the spring with an injury, but used the time to become a better leader. “I was able to see things from a different lens,” he said. “How guys like to be coached, how they like to be led.”

The connection across the front four is real. “I can look to my right and see Dallas or Zach and know exactly what stunt we’re running,” Hardy said. “Connection is our edge.”

Then there’s Davaughn Patterson, the versatile chess piece who played through a sports hernia in both groins last season. “My body was hurting, but mentally I wanted to be there for my teammates,” Patterson said. He can line up at defensive end, blitz from the slot, or drop into coverage, and Dickert loves having that flexibility. “He’s one of the fiercest competitors you could ever imagine,” Dickert said.

Schedule Breakdown

Wake Forest’s 2026 schedule is a mix of manageable openers, tricky travel, and a November stretch that will determine whether the Deacons can match last year’s success.

Sep. 3 vs. Akron 

Sep. 12 at Purdue  

Sep. 18 vs. Miami

Akron is a tune‑up, but Purdue on the road is a legitimate early test. Miami on a Friday night in Winston‑Salem will be one of the biggest home games of the season.

If Wake starts 2-1, they’ll be positioned well.

Sep. 26 at Louisville  

Oct. 3 vs. Stanford  

Oct. 10 at NC State  

Oct. 17 at Cal  

This is the stretch that will define Wake Forest’s season. Louisville on the road is tough. Stanford at home is winnable. Then comes a brutal two‑week run: at NC State, then a cross‑country trip to Berkeley to play Cal. If Wake goes 2-2 here, they’re still in the hunt.

Oct. 31 vs. Virginia  

Nov. 7 vs. Merrimack  

Virginia isn’t the pushover it used to be. The Cavaliers reached the ACC title game last season and return enough talent to make this a dangerous matchup. Wake Forest will need to be sharp here, especially coming off a long travel stretch.

Then the difficulty spikes:

Nov. 14 at SMU  

Nov. 21 at Georgia Tech  

Nov. 28 vs. Duke  

SMU and Georgia Tech on the road will test Wake’s depth and toughness. Duke at home is a rivalry game that could determine bowl positioning, or more.

Photos courtesy of ACC Digital Services

CHARLOTTE – Dave Doeren walked into ACC Kickoff loose, joking about “four score and 14 years ago” when he got hired, but the message underneath was unmistakable. He’s entering Year 14 at NC State, and he’s tired of talking about consistency. He wants a breakthrough.

“We’ve won the second-most number of games in the ACC in the last six years,” Doeren said. “With that being said, I’m sick of being second.”

That line wasn’t for effect. It was the thesis of NC State’s 2026 season, a veteran quarterback, a rising star at running back, a defense that expects to look like NC State again, and a roster that believes it’s capable of more than just another solid year.

A Third-Year Starter in a Transfer Era

In a league where quarterbacks move almost annually, NC State has something rare: stability. “We’re one of two schools in the ACC that can say they have a third-year starter at quarterback,” Doeren said.

CJ Bailey didn’t hide from how far he’s come. He admitted he was “winging it” early in his career, relying on athleticism more than understanding. Now, he says the game has slowed down. “Everything is moving fluent,” Bailey said. “Everybody believes in me.”

Bailey’s decision to stay, when most quarterbacks in his position at least explore the portal, says a lot about the program’s culture. “NC State is a different place,” he said. “It’s home for me.” That continuity gives the Wolfpack a steadying force heading into a schedule that ramps up quickly.

Duke Scott Steps Into the No. 1 Jersey

The No. 1 jersey at NC State isn’t ceremonial. It’s earned, and Doeren didn’t hesitate giving it to running back Duke Scott. “It really wasn’t hard,” Doeren said. “He’s gifted as an athlete, he’s a leader, he treats people with respect.”

Scott’s physical numbers, a 405-pound power clean, 575-pound squat, and 4.35 speed, are the kind of measurables that get attention. But his breakout came last season when he stepped in for Hollywood Smothers and ran for 200 yards against unbeaten Georgia Tech. “It made me understand I can do this against everybody,” Scott said.

Scott’s childhood chemistry with fellow South Florida additions gives NC State’s offense a built-in familiarity that’s rare for a team with 50 new players.

Defense: From Patchwork to Identity

Last season’s defensive issues were obvious. NC State changed schemes, dealt with the emotional strain of Tony Gibson’s family tragedy, and lost nine defensive starters to injury. At one point, four freshmen were playing in the Pitt game. “Last year we went into a lot of games thinking we’re going to have to outscore people,” Doeren said. “That’s not normal for us.”

The offseason focus has been pass-rush – getting quarterbacks off their spot, forcing quicker throws, and creating turnovers. “We’ve added some pieces we’re excited to see,” Doeren said, pointing to Harvey Dyson and a deeper secondary.

Veteran defensive lineman Isaiah Shirley echoed the confidence. “We want to get back to playing our brand of hard, tough, together defense,” Shirley said. “We want to be the backbone of the team.” Shirley, now stepping into a larger role, said he’s ready for the responsibility. “I’ve been around this program long enough to see what’s been good and what’s been bad,” he said. “Now it’s time to step up and lead.”

Schedule breakdown

NC State’s 2026 schedule comes in three distinct phases: an early stretch where the Pack can build confidence, a middle run that will define their ACC position, and a November finish that will decide how good this team really is.

Aug. 29 – Virginia (Away)

Sep. 11 – Richmond (Home)

Sep. 19 – Vanderbilt (Away)

Sep. 26 – App State (Home)

Relocated from a neutral site in Brazil, a road game in Virginia is a legitimate Week Zero test and a chance for NC State to see where its rebuilt defense stands right away.. Richmond is the home opener on a Friday night. Vanderbilt is a tricky SEC road trip. App State is the kind of in-state game NC State can’t afford to take lightly. There’s a path to 3–1 or better here, and the Pack probably need it.

Oct. 3 – Louisville (Home)

Oct. 10 – Wake Forest (Home)

Oct. 23 – Stanford (Away, Friday 10:30 PM)

Oct. 31 – Cal (Home)

Louisville and Wake at home are classic swing games for ACC standing. Louisville is a legitimate ACC contender, and Wake Forest has played NC State tight for years. The late-night trip to Stanford is the schedule’s odd wrinkle, a Friday night game on the West Coast. Late kickoff, long travel, and awkward timing make it a classic trap spot. Cal at home closes a stretch where NC State has to prove it can handle different styles and still look like itself.

Nov. 7 – Duke (Home)

Nov. 14 – Syracuse (Home)

Nov. 21 – Florida State (Away)

Nov. 28 – North Carolina (Away)

Duke and Syracuse at home are games a contender has to win. Then it’s Florida State in Tallahassee and North Carolina in Chapel Hill – two rivalry games, both on the road, both at the end of the year. If NC State is still in the ACC race by mid-November, those two weeks will decide everything.

Photos courtesy of ACC Digital Services

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.”