College Football Top Coach Weighs Impact of ECU Coaching Change on Matchup. After a positive homecoming win against Tulsa, Temple is set to face East Carolina, which is dealing with turmoil following the firing of sixth-year head coach Mike Houston. His dismissal came after heavy losses to Charlotte and Army, leaving the Pirates with a 3-4 record this season and a disappointing 2-10 finish last year, despite a bowl win in 2022. Defensive coordinator Blake Harrell has stepped in as interim head coach.
As Temple prepares for Saturday’s game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, N.C., Coach Stan Drayton expressed uncertainty during a press conference about how East Carolina might change under Harrell’s leadership. He speculated that the team would likely retain its current style given their existing talent, especially since such a change typically doesn’t lead to major overhauls mid-season.
Drayton shared his own experience of dealing with a sudden coaching shift while at Ohio State, recognizing the challenges faced by the East Carolina program. He emphasized that while the team may feel unsettled, players often find motivation to perform, especially if they have strong leadership.
The Owls are coming off a solid 20-10 victory over Tulsa, showcasing their best performance of the season. Quarterback Evan Simon effectively distributed the ball to 13 receivers, and the run defense was notably strong. For the first time this year, the Owls established a significant lead, going into halftime at 17-0.
College Football Top Coach Weighs Impact of ECU Coaching Change on Matchup. Drayton noted that while the defense was impressive, the special teams play was only average, but the overall complementary performance allowed the team to gain an early advantage. Star wide receiver Dante Wright, who exited the previous game without a catch, is considered “questionable to probable” for the matchup against ECU, which could help Temple snap its three-year road losing streak. The Owls have not won away from home in Drayton’s tenure and are currently on a 17-game road losing streak dating back to a victory at Akron in the 2021 season.
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