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

Insights from Brett
Time to rebuild a bridge

February 10, 2020 By Brett Friedlander 4 Comments

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

All bridges, no matter how badly they’re burned, can eventually be rebuilt. It just takes a little wood, a hammer and some nails, and the right set of circumstances.

When it comes to the relationship between East Carolina and its once-favorite son Ruffin McNeill, there’s no better time than the present to begin work on repairing the pathway that will allow the former Pirate football coach to formally reconnect with the school he loves.

The bridge between McNeill and ECU was scorched to ashes when he was abruptly fired by then-athletic director Jeff Compher following the 2015 season despite having taken his team to bowl games in each of the three previous years.

Ruffin McNeill acknowledges fans after coaching ECU to a season-opening victory over Towson in 2015. (Archive photo by W.A. Myatt)

Whether you agreed with the decision or not, it was hard to argue that the situation was handled poorly. And it’s an indisputable fact that four losing seasons and two coaches later, the Pirates’ program hasn’t been the same since McNeill has been gone.

Thankfully, the situation finally seems to have stabilized with the hirings of new AD Jon Gilbert and a coach in Mike Houston who has both experience and a proven track record of winning.

Between their arrival, completion of the TowneBank Tower project and the emergence of star quarterback Holton Ahlers, ECU’s football program is once again showing signs of life.

How symbolic of a gesture would it be to bridge the gap between the Pirates’ successful past and its hopeful future by bringing McNeill back to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium — not necessarily to apologize, but rather to say thank you for his loyalty and service to his alma mater.

It was reported last summer that the school’s new athletic leadership unofficially reached out to the former Pirates defensive back, who played for coach Pat Dye from 1976-80. While visiting Oklahoma, where McNeill served as an assistant, ECU offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick raised the subject of a return home to be honored.

But the logistics couldn’t be worked out.

Now, however, circumstances have changed. Just before the turn of the new year, McNeill announced that he was taking a leave of absence from his job with the Sooners to return home to Lumberton to care for his ailing father.

“This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make. But in the end, being near my dad was a necessary choice,” McNeill said in a statement announcing his decision. “Right now I need to be a son again and I need to help my brother and other family members take care of my dad, who is battling significant health issues.”

McNeill made it a point to say that he does not consider this a retirement.

“I still want to coach in some form or fashion,” he said. “But right now that can’t be the case. My focus needs to be on my dad in North Carolina.”

It is unclear how much time and effort that focus will entail. But since McNeill is back in his home state just a short drive down Interstate 95 from Greenville, it wouldn’t hurt for ECU to invest in the building materials necessary to repair the charred bridge across which he could return.

If nothing else than to give Pirate Nation an opportunity to reach out to the former coach and show him the kind of love he has always had for them.

ECU 2019 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
TIME TO REBUILD A BRIDGE
PIRATES PULL AWAY FROM TULSA FOR FIRST ROAD WIN
RELOADED ROSTER PREPARES TO START SEASON
PIRATES FALL TO UCF
REDSHIRT YEAR SERVED AS LAUNCHPAD FOR RYAN DAVIS
GARRISON’S ROUTE TO ECU ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL
SOLD-OUT BANQUET PRODUCES ZINGERS, TOUCHING MOMENT
HARRELL TAKES ON ECU’S CHRONIC CHALLENGE

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: News & Features

Comments

  1. Deva Reece says

    February 10, 2020 at 8:58 am

    Brett,

    I applaud your article and agree 100% with “bridging” Coach Ruff. We could not find a better Ambassador for our University. We should begin efforts when Ruff thinks the time is right. Thanks for this article. Deva Reece . Burlington, NC Class of ’72.

    Reply
  2. Seabound says

    February 10, 2020 at 9:08 am

    Agree – good timing for some eyeball sweat for one of our one – he’s a special, special man.

    Reply
  3. Boro says

    February 10, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Class of 70 here….We have had many coaches since my graduation in 1970. I thank all of them for contributing to our football program at ECU. Ruffin was right up there with the best of them. I hope the wounds inflicted on him are healed and he would welcome an Olive Branch.

    Reply
  4. Kyle Chase says

    February 11, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    Worked with him as a Graduate Assistant best and most humbling experience. Hope that the bridge can be mended.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recent News & Features

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

Basketball News
Owls pull away from ECU in second half

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

Basketball News
Small matter costly in ECU loss

VIEW FROM THE EAST
The new American

Basketball News
Bearcats beat ECU from long range

Basketball News
Memphis run tops ECU

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
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

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets quarterbacks of the future

AAC Football Recruiting News
Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, January 27, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, January 26, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, January 25, 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
Friday, January 27, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, January 26, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, January 25, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, January 23, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, January 21, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, January 18, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, January 16, 2023

More Web Roundups

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