Rod Wright interviewed with East Carolina coach Scottie Montgomery and new defensive coordinator David Blackwell before he was hired from Sam Houston State, where he had worked with defensive linemen. The former Miami Dolphin will have the same position responsibilities at ECU. Wright, 33, has quickly developed respect for the maturity and organization of Montgomery, … [Read more...]

An injury halted David Blackwell's playing career at East Carolina and put him on an early track to be a coach. His enthusiasm in a practice drill subsequently moved him from offense to defense as a volunteer assistant for the Pirates. His development as a defensive coordinator has brought him back to his alma mater to address the needs of a program that allowed 45.0 points … [Read more...]

Step by step, the East Carolina coaching staff has undergone something of a makeover. The intent of the changes is to improve the record, which was 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the American Athletic Conference in 2017. David Blackwell was brought aboard as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator to bolster a unit that yielded 45.0 points per game last year. Don Mahoney is … [Read more...]

GREENVILLE — The fun didn't last long for the East Carolina fans among a crowd of 5,539 in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Thursday night, but there was definitely some early excitement against No. 5 Wichita State. The Pirates led the Shockers 14-9 with 12 minutes left in the first half and the building was rocking. Then Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall started … [Read more...]