New East Carolina athletic director Jon Gilbert has cleared an unusual hurdle in his first month on the job. Gilbert had to find a replacement for Virginia Tech, which was scheduled to play at ECU on Sept. 21. The Hokies canceled out on the trip to Greenville after the Pirates did not travel to Blacksburg in 2018 as Hurricane Florence approached. ECU officials were not sure … [Read more...]

Jon Gilbert's personal and professional lives have been anchored in the South. The recently-appointed East Carolina athletic director was an athlete and coach himself during a much earlier time in his life journey. As he progressed up the ladder into administration he became involved with some of the most prominent programs in college athletics. At more than one stop along … [Read more...]

Donnie Kirkpatrick is back at East Carolina after three years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at James Madison. He will have the same responsibilities with the Pirates. Kirkpatrick was at ECU from 2005 to 2015, working for head coaches Skip Holtz and Ruffin McNeill. The Pirates won back-to-back Conference USA championships under Holtz in 2008 and 2009. ECU … [Read more...]

Steve Shankweiler has been on the East Carolina coaching staff during some of the greatest seasons in program history. Shankweiler was at ECU in 1991 when ECU went 11-1 with a 37-34 Peach Bowl win over N.C. State. When the Pirates beat West Virginia, Duke, South Carolina, Miami of Florida, Houston, Cincinnati and the Wolfpack in 1999, Shankweiler was on staff. When ECU won … [Read more...]

While much of the country was tuned into Clemson's 44-16 win over Alabama on Monday night for the College Football Playoff championship, East Carolina basketball coach Joe Dooley was otherwise occupied. "I watched Memphis-Houston tape," Dooley said. "I listened a little bit. I heard the score. That was about it." The Pirates (8-6, 1-1 AAC) are looking to follow up on a … [Read more...]