East Central University Athletics

Kris McCullough was announced as the Head Football Coach on October 27^th, 2022. He had previously served as Interim Head Coach since March 10, 2022, making him the youngest Head Football Coach in the nation at 26-years-old. McCullough took over the program after previous Head Coach Al Johnson was hired by the University of Wisconsin, his alma mater, to become their new RB Coach.
 
Throughout his short time as the Tigers’ Interim Head Coach, ECU players have been involved in the community more than ever, while McCullough led the charge to create the program’s first ever Player’s Lounge & Football Nutrition Center.
 
McCullough came to East Central in January 2018 to serve as the team’s QB Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, a position he held until being promoted to Offensive Coordinator in 2020. He then added Assistant Head Coach duties in January 2021.
 
During McCullough’s time as ECU’s Offensive Coordinator, the team captured 9 wins across one full season and the COVID-19 shortened season, including a 7-4 record in 2021–the team’s best record since 2015. The 2021 offense also had the conference’s most balance offensive attack. During the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season, the Tigers knocked off #21 FCS team Tarleton State and went 2-0.
 
Prior to joining ECU, McCullough spent time on Fairmont State’s staff as the RB Coach/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator from 2017-2018. McCullough was instrumental in developing Terrell Charles, a 2^nd Team All-Conference selection who finished top 10 in Fairmont State program history in both Rushing Yards and Rushing Touchdowns.
 
McCullough spent the 2017 Spring and Summer as an Offensive Quality Control Analyst/Assistant QB Coach on the Old Dominion staff.
 
McCullough would get his start in coaching as a Student Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Henderson State, where he would eventually coach at the TE, RB, WR, and QB positions from 2015-2017. McCullough helped the 2015 Henderson State squad to their first NCAA Division II Playoff win in school history after capturing the GAC Championship and developing Conference Player of the Year, Jaquan Cole.
 
McCullough, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, received his bachelor’s degree in Integrated Studies from Henderson State and a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Arkansas State. Kris and his wife, Hannah, live in Ada.