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    "headline": "Gardner-Webb fires Kris McCullough after one-game tenure amid investigation",
    "dek": "Gardner-Webb fired coach Kris McCullough two days after announcing an investigation into his conduct.",
    "prose": "Gardner-Webb University fired head football coach Kris McCullough on Wednesday, two days after the school announced it was investigating him. [^1]\n\nKris McCullough coached only one game for Gardner-Webb, a 35-17 season-opening loss to Austin Peay on Thursday. [^2]\n\nSchool officials announced on Monday that they were suspending McCullough pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation. [^3]\n\nGardner-Webb did not disclose the nature of the investigation or provide specific details about the allegations that led to McCullough's dismissal. [^4]\n\nThe decision to fire McCullough came just days after the school suspended him amid allegations described as 'off-the-field'. [^5]\n\nPete Bennett, who joined Gardner-Webb's staff as a special teams coordinator in 2024, was announced on Monday as the interim head coach. [^6]\n\nMcCullough's tenure with the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs lasted only one game, which ended in a 35-17 defeat against Austin Peay. [^7]",
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      "statement": "Gardner-Webb University fired head football coach Kris McCullough on Wednesday, two days after the school announced it was investigating him.",
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      "statement": "School officials announced on Monday that they were suspending McCullough pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.",
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