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Natural-born Pirate exits with grace
A Bonesville.net Staff
Report — ©2003
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Then-newly-enrolled freshman Paul Troth
relaxes after a practice session during 2001
spring drills. (Photo: ©Bonesville Magazine) |
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Paul Troth graduated from
high school a semester early and plans to leave East Carolina a season
early after obtaining his scholarship release with the approval of
Pirates coach John Thompson on Monday.
Troth wants to join a Division I-AA program so he can play immediately
next season. His list includes Liberty, Elon, UMass, Delaware, William &
Mary and Valdosta State.
ECU’s starter in 2002, Troth leaves with an even 2,700 yards passing for
seventh on the Pirates’ career list. That’s despite playing sparingly as
a true freshman in 2001 and seeing limited action as a junior as he
dropped to third on the depth chart behind Desmond Robinson and James
Pinkney in 2003.
Injuries to Robinson and Pinkney forced Troth into action after a
six-game absence on Saturday in a 38-21 loss to Southern Miss. He
completed 15 of 24 for 198 yards and one touchdown against the Golden
Eagles but lost two fumbles and had two passes picked off.
“I enjoyed getting out there and it showed me that I can still perform
if I cut down on my mistakes,” Troth said.
Troth’s parents, Mike and Paula, went to ECU. His father lettered in
football for the Pirates as a flanker in 1973. Troth actually started at
West Virginia in 2002 as a wideout as the Pirates opened with Richard
Alston under center to try and catch the Mountaineers unprepared.
Troth attended the football camp of former ECU coach Steve Logan as a
youngster. He passed for 6,929 yards as a four-year starter at Davidson
Vance High and held the Mecklenburg County record for touchdown passes
with 79 until it was surpassed by Independence’s Chris Leak, now at
Florida.
Troth was rated the No. 12 quarterback nationally by rivals.com and No.
13 by SuperPrep magazine in high school. Troth enrolled at ECU in
January, 2001 and took part in the ensuing spring practice. He saw brief
action in three games behind David Garrard as a true freshman during
ECU’s 6-6 season in 2001.
Troth might have gotten more playing time as a freshman but the Pirates
struggled to hold leads in several games that season.
Troth became the starter in 2002. He completed 177 of 359 passes for
2,315 yards with 15 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Logan was dismissed
after that team finished 4-8. Thompson brought in former Florida State
quarterback and Clemson assistant Rick Stockstill as offensive
coordinator. Stockstill’s system involved looking for the softest
coverage in the passing game as opposed to a progression of reads in
Logan’s offense.
“I started every game last year and felt I had an awesome spring,” Troth
said. “I felt like the coaches lost confidence in me though and I’d be
the first to admit I didn’t have a great fall practice.”
Troth met with Thompson on Monday afternoon.
“I want to walk away knowing I got a fair shot,” Troth said. “Coach
Thompson said me and Des were neck and neck and it was fair.”
Thompson said before the
season that he felt the team could win with either or both quarterbacks
but Robinson started every game until a left ankle injury on Nov. 1 at
Memphis. Troth played in the first five games, coming in for Robinson
after his second interception in the Houston game on Sept. 30. Troth
threw incomplete on his first 10 attempts in a 27-13 loss to the Cougars
and subsequently dropped to third on the depth chart with Pinkney, a
redshirt freshman, moving up to the second unit.
Pinkney started three games after Robinson went out but Pinkney’s left
knee was sprained on a hit by Southern Miss linebacker Rod Davis in the
second quarter on Saturday, giving Troth a final opportunity to perform
in purple.
“I love this university and I grew up a Pirate fan,” Troth said. “I’ve
enjoyed it here and I’ve loved the atmosphere.
I’m disappointed how things turned out but I’ve
come to believe that things happen for a reason.
I’ve learned so much and grown as a person here.”
Troth has a serious girl friend and has been progressing towards a
degree in communications with a minor in business — all reasons why he
doesn’t want to sit out a season at a Division I-A program.
“Right now I’m thinking about life after football and what gives me the
best opportunity,” Troth said. He added that his parents had already
received some favorable responses from some of the I-AA programs in
which he has expressed interest.
Troth said he might eventually want to get into radio or television
broadcasting.
“Not necessarily in sports,” he said. “I’m taking an announcing class
and I’ve really enjoyed that.”
Thompson knew the difficulty of Troth’s situation in 2003.
“I have great respect for Paul,” said the ECU coach. “I wish him nothing
but the best. I know this season has been hard on him like it has been
on a lot of people. I want Paul to be happy and I wish him nothing but
the best.”
02/23/2007 11:29 AM
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