More Than Football: UTPB’s Kris McCullough Earns National Recognition for Good Works

Division 1 Rejects
Aug 26
4 min read

Updated: Sep 1

At just 29, Coach McCullough becomes one of 13 coaches nationwide nominated for a national award that has nothing to do with wins—and everything to do with impact.

Kris McCullough Earns National Recognition for Good Works

Odessa, Texas—one young coach is rewriting the playbook on what it means to lead.

Not with flashy recruiting classes or trick plays. But with heart. With service. With purpose.

That coach is Kris McCullough, the 29-year-old head man at UT Permian Basin, and he's just been named one of 13 head coaches nationwide nominated for the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

This isn’t about championships or stat sheets. It’s about community. And McCullough is showing the country what it looks like when Division II football does it right.

What Is the Good Works Team?

First launched in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is one of college football’s most unique honors. It highlights student-athletes and coaches who go above and beyond in their communities—those who lead with compassion, serve with intention, and see the platform of football as a tool to uplift others.

Only 22 players and one coach make the final team each year, across every level of college football. That includes Power 5 giants and tiny NAIA programs alike.

Getting nominated alone? That’s elite company.

For McCullough, one of 775 college football head coaches, the recognition is more than just a line on his résumé. It’s a reminder that what happens off the field is just as important as the work between the whistles.

A Coach with a Cause

McCullough’s path to the spotlight hasn’t been typical. He became a head coach at just 26 years old, taking over at East Central University before arriving at UTPB in 2023. Since landing in West Texas, he’s turned a once-average program into a playoff threat—leading the Falcons to the winningest season in school history.

But his proudest achievements? They don’t live on the field.

McCullough has made community service a cornerstone of his program. From day one of recruiting, players are told they’re expected to be champions on and off the field. That message has taken root. UTPB now leads the country in community service hours and just posted the highest team GPA in school history.

And it’s not just talk. McCullough personally helped UTPB become a certified Special Olympics College Program, partnering with the organization to host the Texas State Games and creating long-term relationships that extend far beyond game day.

Why does it matter so much? For McCullough, it’s personal.

“I had two cousins that my family adopted through guardianship who participated in Special Olympics. So that struck home with me,” he shared.

This isn’t just PR. This is purpose.

The Power of Relating

McCullough, now 29, knows what it’s like to be the youngest voice in the room. But that youth? It's a strength.

“Being young and in the position I’m in has helped me relate to the players,” he said.“It’s allowed me to reach them and get them to buy into giving back. These players understand what it means to serve.”

That relatability has helped UTPB build a culture that actually sticks—not just slogans, but actions. His players don’t just show up for practice. They show up at local events. They show up in schools. They show up for people who need them.

McCullough's message is clear: football might be the tool, but legacy is the goal.

Repping D2 on the National Stage

For a Division II coach, earning national attention like this is rare. But McCullough is proud to fly the flag for the level he’s always called home.

“I graduated from a D2 program. I’ve coached D2 football all but four months of my career,” he said.“Some of the best coaches in this game are at our level. We might not have the followers or fan bases that FBS programs have, but we can have the same kind of impact.”

In a world where D2 often gets overlooked, this nomination proves something Division 1 Rejects readers already know: there’s greatness at every level.

Building Something Bigger

So what’s next for McCullough and UTPB?

The goals on the field are still there—more wins, more playoff appearances, a shot at the Lone Star Conference crown. But the real vision? It’s even bigger.

“I want to be the program known for doing everything the right way,” McCullough said.“For being the best at developing champions on and off the field.”

Right now, that looks like GPA records. Service hour milestones. National recognition.

Tomorrow? It could look like a generation of men who leave the program better citizens than when they entered.

And maybe that’s the real win.

Final Team or Not—Mission Accomplished

Whether McCullough is officially selected to the 2025 Good Works Team or not, the message is already clear: UTPB is different.

In a sport that often rewards wins above all else, Coach McCullough is making sure impact matters too.

Because at the end of the day, you don’t need a championship ring to change lives.

Sometimes, all it takes is a platform—and the courage to use it.