Transition is an essential element in successful basketball. Teams that master the moments when offense changes to defense and vice-versa create advantages in the early stages of the shot clock. Mike Schwartz coaches transition. He also has been effective in transition on a personal level. After 23 years as an assistant, East Carolina athletic director Jon Gilbert put … [Read more...]
ECU Football & Basketball Recruiting
VIEW FROM THE EAST
ECU Recruiting News
ECU snatches late addition from Hoosiers
Desirrio Riles was five years old the first time David Penland III saw him play football. "He was always the bigger guy on the field,'' Penland said. "I just knew later in his career that he was going to be a really good football player.'' That early assessment has come true as Riles played in his first varsity game as an eighth grader at University Christian, where he'd … [Read more...]
ECU Recruiting News
Class of 2024 starts with prized receiver
After Chris Rusiewicz was named head football coach at Northwest Guilford High in Greensboro, NC, last January, he naturally began watching game film from the 2022 season to evaluate the Vikings' returning personnel. One particular highlight confirmed the former college head coach had made the right decision to pursue the Northwest Guilford job. The game in early October … [Read more...]
ECU Recruiting News
Late pitch lures lineman with pedigree
The surname McCrimon is synonymous with athleticism and winning in Florida's Osceola County. Located just south of Orlando and serving as a "gateway'' to some of Florida's major tourist attractions such as Disney World, the county seat is the city of Kissimmee. And Kissimmee is home to one of the state's oldest high schools, Osceola High, which was established in … [Read more...]
Recruiting Evaluation Part 2: Defense
Report card: Quality talent fills big holes
East Carolina has lost at least 13 defensive players to the transfer portal or due to the expiration of eligibility to date. The group combined to make 210 starts during their careers with the Pirates, and included multi-year stalwarts such as Gerard Stringer, Xavier Smith, Myles Berry and Malik Fleming. Finding immediate or future replacements for so many veterans required … [Read more...]