Coaching transitions are sometimes a sign of success. The pursuit of personnel from unsuccessful programs is limited. East Carolina, coming off a 9-4 season, has moved on from its previous era of coordinators as John David Baker and Josh Aldridge had left the Ward Sports Medicine Building before the Military Bowl on Dec. 27. Baker, the offensive coordinator, returned to … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTHarrell uses Duke hoops as example
Football coach Blake Harrell used some examples from the weekend when talking about the Pirates' progress in spring practice this week. In reference to the quarterback competition between transfers Emory Williams from Miami and Mitch Griffis from Texas Tech, Harrell was asked what he was looking for in evaluating the duo. "Taking care of the football," Harrell … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTPirates defining 2026 football outlook
Spring football practice is underway at East Carolina with Coach Blake Harrell supervising the process of organizing the many moving parts that must be in sync for the Pirates to realize a goal of winning the American Conference. Unlike 2025 when ECU went 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the American Conference with a 23-17 win over Pitt in the Military Bowl, there is an absence of … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTECU gets set to open American Conference play
East Carolina gets its American Conference schedule underway against Alabama-Birmingham on Friday at 6 p.m. at Clark-LeClair Stadium (ESPN+). The Pirates (13-8-1) were picked first in the league's preseason poll and the Blazers (13-8) were picked last. ECU, which was seeded sixth for the American tournament last year, is 2-3 on Friday nights thus far in 2026. Junior … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTGilbert, ECU may get direction from Trump
Jon Gilbert has received a 3-year contract extension as athletic director at East Carolina that will run through December of 2029. Gilbert's salary will be $625,000 annually. "It's very generous of the chancellor (Dr. Philip G. Rogers)," Gilbert said. "When you get something like that, it certainly validates the work that my staff and I have done over the last several … [Read more...]