Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football

The Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Gardner–Webb University in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The team competes in the Division I FCS and are members of the OVC–Big South Football Association. Gardner–Webb's first football team was fielded in 1970. The team plays its home games at the 9,000-seat Ernest W. Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. The Runnin' Bulldogs are coached by Kris McCullough.

History

Classifications

• 1970–1992: NAIA Division I
• 1993–1999: NCAA Division II
• 2000–present: NCAA Division I-AA/FCS

Conference affiliations

• NAIA Independent (1970–1974)
• South Atlantic Conference (1975–1999)
• NCAA Division I-AA Independent (2000–2001)
• Big South Conference (2002–2022)
• Big South–OVC Football Association (2023–present)

Conference championships

† denotes co-championship

Playoff results

NAIA

The Runnin' Bulldogs appeared in the NAIA playoffs two times, with an overall record of 3–2.

Division I FCS

The Runnin' Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs two times, with an overall record of 1–2.

Notable former players

• Dobson Collins NFL wide receiver
• Woody Fish American football player and coach
• Terry Guess NFL wide receiver for New Orleans Saints
• Bobby Hopkins American football offensive guard and World champion arm-wrestler
• Brian Johnson NFL linebacker for Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions
• Todd Knight American football player and coach
• T. J. Luther NFL wide receiver
• Jim Maxwell NFL linebacker for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals
• Carroll McCray American football player and coach
• Gabe Wilkins NFL defensive tackle for Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XXXI champion

Future non-conference opponents

Future non-conference opponents announced as of January 20, 2026.

References

External links