Bonesville: The Authoritative Independent Voice of East Carolina

News & Features from ECU, the AAC and Beyond

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Audio
  • Roundup
  • Comments
  • Legacy Archives

• ECU 2022 Football Schedule
• ECU 2022-23 Hoops Schedule
• ECU 2023 Baseball Schedule

— Recruiting Thumbnails —
Football: 2023 • Hoops: 2023-24

From the Anchor Desk
Houston hits the ground running

December 18, 2018 By Brian Bailey Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

New East Carolina head football coach Mike Houston will unveil his first signing class on Wednesday.

The Pirate coach has certainly hit the pavement hard.

“I think this is the second night that I’ve spent the night in Greenville,” said Houston on Saturday. “We are getting set to sign a very good recruiting class, one that is especially strong from the local area.”

Houston was a guest at Saturday’s 40th anniversary celebration of ECU’s 1978 Independence Bowl championship team. Poscaster The Sports Objective hosted the event at Professor O ’Cool’s in Greenville. The Pirates beat Louisiana Tech, 35-13, in that bowl game.

Story continues after photo…

ECU football coach Mike Houston joins The Sports Objective’s podcast at a reunion of the Pirates’ 1978 Independence Bowl championship team on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. The Sports Objective sponsored the event at Professor O’Cool’s in Greenville. (Submitted photo)

The coach of that team, College Football Hall of Fame member Pat Dye, spoke to the team via the telephone.

Coach Houston spoke to the group, and took his own turn with Coach Dye.

“What a thrill for me,” said Houston. “Coach Dye is one of the all-time best. I remember watching his teams play when I was a kid. It was a thrill to talk to him.”

Houston told the ’78 team that he wanted to embrace the Pirate football history, and that all of the players in attendance were welcome on campus and at practice at any time.

Terry Gallaher, a wide receiver for ECU in ’78, helped to organize the event.

“It was just great to hear Coach Houston today,” said Gallaher. “This is about all of us. We all want ECU to rise again. We are all Pirates and I think Coach Houston is going to unite the Pirate Nation. I’m excited!”

Story continues after photo…

ECU football coach Mike Houston, back to camera, waves a greeting to attendees at a reunion of ECU’s 1978 Independence Bowl championship team on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at Professor O’Cool’s in Greenville. (Submitted photo)

Tony Collins, who was a running back for that ’78 team, agrees with Gallaher.

“I can’t wait to see him on the sideline,” said Collins. “We would love to help him on the field, but we’re out of eligibility,” he joked.

Former Pirate head coach Ruffin McNeil made a key interception in that game. This ’78 squad was especially upset when Coach Ruff was fired by then ECU Athletics Director Jeff Compher.

“It’s important for us to come together,” added Gallaher. “We all love this university very much.”

ECU Hall of Famer Leander Green was the quarterback on that bowl championship team. Green is one of the most decorated quarterbacks in ECU history, leading his teams to a 24-9-1 record from 1977-79.

“That’s what I miss most about football,” said Green. “I loved seeing all of these guys on a daily basis and I really enjoy getting back together from time to time.”

Story continues after photo…

ECU football coach Mike Houston, right, speaks with former Pirate running back Tony Collins at Saturday’s 40th anniversary celebration of the Pirates’ win over Louisiana Tech in the 1978 Independence Bowl. (Submitted photo)

The 1978 bowl win was the team’s first postseason appearance in 15 years. Before that, ECU beat Maine, 31-0, in the 1965 Tangerine Bowl.

Fullback Theodore Sutton set a then Independence Bowl record with 143 yards on 17 carries and was named the game’s outstanding offensive player by the attending media. Defensive end Zack Valentine, who led the ECU defense with seven tackles, received the award as the top defensive player.

Youtube.com has the complete game on video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhiRsS2951g&t=1864s.

I certainly enjoyed seeing many of the former Pirate stars and I think we all look forward to Wednesday and the early National Signing Day.

HART BECOMES THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
PIRATES UTILIZE TIME BETWEEN GAMES
PIRATE NATION’S TOP TEN LIST FOR 2018
THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN
EVENTFUL WEEK RESTORES STABILITY, OPTIMISM
HART HELPS PIRATE SHIP CHANGE TACK

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: News & Features

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News & Features

ECU Recruiting News
Towering lineman Neolian still honing skills (updated)

Basketball News
Pirates top SMU, 77-72

VIEW FROM THE EAST: NORTH TEXAS
The new American

Basketball News
ECU rally falls short

ECU Recruiting News
More help is on the way to ECU secondary

Basketball News
Porter leads Shockers past Pirates

VIEW FROM THE EAST: FAU
The new American

Basketball News
Pirates rally past Tulsa to snap losing streak

ECU Recruiting News
Portal delivers blue chipper RaRa Dillworth

VIEW FROM THE EAST: CHARLOTTE
The new American

More News & Features

ECU Schedules

  • ECU 2021 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2020-21 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2021 Baseball Schedule

ECU Recruiting

  • Football Recruiting Class of 2021
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2020
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2019
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2018
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2017
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2021-22
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2020-21
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2019-20
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2018-19
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2017-18
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2016-17

Past Football Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2014 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2013 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2012 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2011 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2010 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2009 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2008 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2007 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2006 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2005 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2004 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2003 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2002 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2001 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2000 Football Schedule
  • Historical Schedules

Past Basketball Schedules

  • ECU 2019-20 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2018-19 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2017-18 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2000-2015 Basketball Archives

Past Baseball Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2001-2014 Baseball Archives

Recruiting Class Profiles

ECU Recruiting News
Towering lineman Neolian still honing skills (updated)

ECU Recruiting News
More help is on the way to ECU secondary

ECU Recruiting News
Portal delivers blue chipper RaRa Dillworth

Class of 2023 Early Signing Review (UPDATED)
Pirates tap transfer portal for more talent

AAC Early Signing Review
New members dive into AAC recruiting wars

Class of 2023 Early Signing Review
First wave of recruits just the beginning

ECU Recruiting News
Brown finds way to ECU through portal

ECU Recruiting News
Transfer safety McDaniel destined for ECU

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates land coveted Spartanburg quarterback

ECU Recruiting News
Swift ECU recruit ‘in a class of his own’

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates win out for Georgia prep linebacker

ECU Recruiting News
Linebacker with pedigree charts path to ECU

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates find a gem in Palmetto State receiver

ECU Recruiting News
Official visit swayed North Mecklenburg star

ECU Recruiting News
Physical Georgia receiver poses tough matchup

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates project lineman Durant as center

ECU Recruiting News
ECU spotted potential in Conley lineman

ECU Recruiting News
ECU lands fleet-footed Georgia defensive back

ECU Recruiting News
‘Football town’ helps draw Short to Pirates

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets edge rushers

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

ECU Recruiting News
Well stocked Pirates enter fray for O-linemen

ECU Recruiting News
ECU faces uphill battle in hunt for tight ends

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates cast wide net for wide receivers

ECU Recruiting News
Loaded Pirates still courting running backs

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, February 8, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, February 6, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, February 5, 2023

Writer Archives

  • Bonesville Staff
  • Brian Bailey
  • Sammy Batten
  • Bethany Bradsher
  • Brett Friedlander
  • Al Myatt
  • NFF
  • Greg Vacek
  • Danny Whitford

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, February 8, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, February 6, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, February 5, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, February 4, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, February 3, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, February 2, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, February 1, 2023

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2023 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy