Montgomery emerges as surprise pick

Staff Report
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Multiple reports indicate that East Carolina's search for a football coach has concluded with an offer to Duke offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Scott Montgomery. ECU's board of trustees has scheduled an unusual Sunday afternoon meeting, which will presumably consider approving terms of employment.

Brett Friedlander reported overnight in the online edition of the Wilmington Star News that sources at both Duke and ECU have confirmed news outlet reports and posts by Duke players on social media that Montgomery will be departing the Blue Devils for Greenville. Friedlander also serves as a college football columnist for Bonesville.

Considered by peers and knowledgeable observers as an up-and-comer in the coaching ranks, Montgomery played an instrumental role in orchestrating some of the most prolific offensive units in Duke history. The Blue Devils average over 30 points per game in each of the last three seasons.

The move comes little more than a week after the stunning ouster of ECU alum Ruffin McNeill as head coach of the Pirates after six years on the job. New Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall added McNeill to his staff on Saturday as assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach.

Montgomery apparently emerged as a late candidate in ECU AD Jeff Compher's week-long drive to hire a new coach. Media speculation since McNeill's firing had focused on former Michigan coach Brady Hoke, James Madison coach Everett Withers and North Carolina defensive coordinator and former Auburn coach Gene Chizik.

The 37-year-old Montgomery, a former Duke and NFL wide receiver, began his second coaching stint with the Blue Devils in 2013 after walking the NFL sidelines for three years as a receivers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Montgomery played professionally with the Denver Broncos (2000-02) and Oakland Raiders (2003) after graduating from Duke.

A native of Cleveland County, Montgomery's portfolio also includes serving as Duke head coach David Cutcliffe's associate head coach.

Montgomery and his wife, Ebony McDuffie, have three sons, Cassius, 6, Moses, 2, and Mangus, 8 months.

PAGE UPDATED 12/14/15 12:28 AM.

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