Next Chapter for Pirates as Search for a New Coach Closes. In 2022, the East Carolina Pirates finished with an 8-5 record and clinched the Birmingham Bowl, indicating a positive trend for the football program under Coach Mike Houston. However, since then, ECU has struggled with a 5-14 record, leading to Houston’s dismissal this week and the start of the search for a new head coach. Blake Harrell, the team’s defensive coordinator with no prior head coaching experience, will step in as the interim coach. Meanwhile, fans and alumni are eager to find out who will take over the program permanently.
East Carolina has a rich history and now it`s a Next Chapter for Pirates, once led by Hall of Fame coach Pat Dye, and is located in a talent-rich region of the Carolinas, making it an appealing mid-major coaching opportunity. Nevertheless, the program has only seen two winning seasons in the last ten years and just one bowl game appearance. Competing in a newly restructured AAC, which has experienced significant membership changes since 2023, ECU could position itself as a leading Group of Five program with the right head coach.
For those interested in the future of ECU football, HoistTheColours—247Sports‘ affiliate covering the Pirates—offers in-depth updates on the coaching situation and program developments. Their team of insiders, including Stephen Igoe with strong ties to the ECU community and national analysts like Brad Crawford, provide valuable insights into the transition. You can also find VIP content on ECU athletics, including basketball and recruiting, and join discussions in the Crow’s Nest VIP forum.
Currently, HoistTheColours is offering a 50% discount on annual subscriptions, making it a great time to join. They have already compiled a list of potential coaching candidates, featuring some surprising names. Visit HoistTheColours to see the full list.
Top East Carolina football coach candidates
One candidate that has emerged as a potential target for the ECU coaching position is LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. Sloan, a former backup quarterback at ECU from 2004-07, played alongside NFL star Chris Johnson during his time there. He has gained significant recognition for his recent achievements at LSU. As the Tigers’ quarterbacks coach last year, he played a pivotal role in helping Jayden Daniels win the Heisman Trophy and enjoy one of the most prolific seasons in college football history. This year, he added the title of offensive coordinator.
Despite the challenges of losing Daniels to the NFL and two wide receivers to the first round of the draft, Sloan has managed to have LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier lead the SEC with 18 touchdown passes. Before his tenure at LSU, Sloan spent nine years in various offensive roles at Louisiana Tech, contributing to the Bulldogs reaching seven bowl games and winning the Conference USA title twice. He has also proven effective in recruiting; during his time as offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech in 2020, he helped the program secure the top incoming class in Conference USA.
It`s a Next Chapter for Pirates with his recent successes and connections to ECU, Sloan is a noteworthy candidate for the Pirates’ head coaching position. For more potential candidates, visit HoistTheColours.
How to get insider ECU coaching staff search updates
The remainder of the list features several other coaches with connections to ECU, including an NFL assistant and another program legend. For details on who these candidates are, be sure to check out HoistTheColours.
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