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Pirates live Dye's dream

By Al Myatt
©2014 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

Pat Dye went undefeated (6-0-1) his last seven games at East Carolina. The tie (24-24) came at North Carolina on Oct. 27, 1979.

ECU always had to play in-state ACC teams on the road in those days.

Current Pirates coach Ruffin McNeill was strong safety in that era.

ECU's home at that time, Ficklen Stadium, had been expanded from 20,000 seats to 35,000, with additions in all four corners, prior to the 1978 season.

That was during Dye's tenure in Greenville, which lasted from 1974 to 1979. Dye, who went on to win four Southeastern Conference championships at Auburn, compiled a 48-18-1 record with the Pirates.

He coached Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson of the Tigers.

Dye always had a way with words.

During the interview process for the job at Auburn, he was asked how long it would take to beat rival Alabama.

"60 minutes," Dye replied.

The former Georgia All-America returned to ECU last week for Hall of Fame weekend as the Pirates hosted North Carolina on Saturday. Dye was enshrined in the ECU Hall in 2006.

McNeill was honored for his collegiate coach to speak to the current team on Friday.

"He told us how proud he was of us," McNeill said. "He was happy for me being back here as the coach. He knew about Rick (Smith, ECU defensive coordinator). He and Rick had coached against one another when Rick was (secondary coach) at Alabama. He knew Lincoln (Riley, ECU offensive coordinator). He called him by name.

"He watches our games every time he can. He knew about Shane (Carden, Pirates quarterback) and Terry (Williams, nose tackle) and all the kids."

Dye, 74, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

"Then he got serious and became very emotional," McNeill said of his former coach's remarks to the present Pirates. "He said 40 years ago, he came to ECU and there were 20,000 seats. His dream was to have a 50,000-plus seat stadium and get a great team like UNC to at least come to Greenville and play."

Dye concluded his remarks by telling the team, "I'm living my dream through you."

The former ECU coach returned to The Plains having witnessed a 70-41 Pirates win before a stadium record crowd of 51,082.

A purple and gold sunset ended the day.

Dye had an impact on the players decades after his last contest as ECU coach, a 38-14 win at William & Mary on Nov. 24, 1979.

Pirates freshman inside wide receiver Jacen Murphy of Wilmington sent out some wisdom from Dye on game day.

"You never know when your chance is coming but you'll never miss your opportunity going full speed," Murphy tweeted.

The Pirates were full speed — for 60 minutes — as Dye lived his dream for his former program.

Richardson ejected

ECU second string strong safety Terrell Richardson was ejected on a targeting call with 9:28 left in the game as the Tar Heels scored to cut the Pirates' lead to 63-27.

"That was a good hit," McNeill said. "Let me put it that way. A well-taught hit. We don't teach with our helmet. We teach with our shoulders here. We don't tackle with our heads, first for players' safety and for proper tackling technique. We teach the old-fashioned shoulder and wrap your arms. That's what he did. He's so strong and powerful.

"I thought it was a great hit."

McNeill wasn't sure about Richardson's status for the American Athletic Conference opener at home against Southern Methodist on Oct. 4.

"If he's not able to play, it might be one half," McNeill said. "I still don't, ... well, I better stop right there. ... I'm not sure anything can be done to overturn it but we're exploring it."

Mustangs struggling

The Pirates have three practices this week before turning full attention to SMU on Sunday.

The Mustangs are 0-3 going into a noon game at home Saturday against Texas Christian (2-0).

SMU has been outscored 146-12.

June Jones resigned as head coach of the Mustangs on Sept. 8 after a 43-6 loss to North Texas. Defensive coordinator Tom Mason is the interim head coach.

"June and George (O'Leary, Central Florida), all those (AAC) coaches, made me feel welcome and always took care of us," McNeill said. "June could speak on behalf of us. ... He was a great person to be around."

E-mail Al Myatt

PAGE UPDATED 09/25/14 02:38 AM.

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