The American Athletic Conference has a little history with its annual football media kickoff at the luxury hotel on Goat Island in Newport, RI.
The hotel used to be a Hyatt but has since become Gurney’s Resort. The room charge has stayed in the same $500-$600 a night range.
The luxurious structure with scenic views in all directions will be headquarters again as AAC players and coaches convene to provide some insight on the 2019 season.
East Carolina will be represented by slot back Deondre Farrier, defensive tackle Alex Turner and new coach Mike Houston.
Farrier has 75 career catches for 888 yards with six touchdowns. Turner has 69 career tackles with 28 solo stops, 12 tackles for losses and five sacks.
Houston is 80-25 in coaching stops at Lenoir-Rhyne, The Citadel and James Madsion.
The seniors likely will be quizzed about changes in the program after four straight losing seasons.
The big question for Houston is how soon can he win in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Some think he can guide the Pirates to a bowl this season.
The league will host a clambake adjacent to Gurney’s along the waterfront on Monday night.
On Tuesday morning, AAC commissioner Mike Aresco will address the gathering. Aresco has upped the league’s next contract with ESPN since last summer. He may also have some thoughts on how the AAC will handle the departure of Connecticut to the Big East.
There will be steak and lobster Monday night and more to chew on regarding AAC football on Tuesday when the league’s preseason football poll is scheduled to be released.
This is likely the last go-around in Newport, summer home to the rich and famous, as the AAC plans to move its offices to Dallas to be closer to the epicenter of college football.
Leave a comment