...hats of to Queens for taking ECU to the wall. I'm glad that the good guys prevailed, but they hardly deserved to, based on those Pride Week unis.

Thank you Al, so very well written on behalf of Pirate Nation who are struggling with his passing. The scope and breadth of what he did for ECU athletics is nothing short of extraordinary.A great, great man.

Loved my time on the Executive Committee of the Pirate Club with Coach Holland. Told him face to face "we need you more than you need us". Thank you Terry and God bless your return Home.

Great report

I moved to Greenville in 1989. This is like Warner Brothers losing Mel Blanc. The game will never sound the same.

Tremendous loss. I feel like I've lost a close friend

...cold comfort, but it'd have been worse had he transferred, which is what I was actually worrying about, and it's also why I disagree w/ your theory (respectfully!) He'd have had the new, watered down American (sorry; it's true) for breakfast, lunch and dinner next year. I'm not blaming Mitchell, Blake Proehl, Tyler Sead and JuQuan McMillen, all HUGE early departures over the past couple of years, but then it feels like they just disappear, and you never see 'em on the NFL stage, adding to the frustration. Between that and the portal, college coaches can NEVER rest.

Don’t disagree. I do wonder if almost always being wary of the o-line collapsing in front of him played a major part in his decision-making. It’s no secret that more times than not, KM turned chiken$#!t into chicken salad despite the failure of the o-line. KM took a pounding almost every game. I believe he decided to go while he is healthy, and I wish him well. This is NOT an indictment of the o-line, which did up their game at times during almost every contest, just i/m/o, not much upside for KM to stay in this day and time. Good luck, KM.

Nothing that's said about KM's departure makes a difference, of course, and I appreciate its understated treatment here, but the word "catastrophic" comes to mind. That he'd have been on the 2023 Heisman Watch list is almost a certainty.

For all of the heart and soul that Hoton Ahlers invested into ECU football, his final performance is richly deserved. The next step for the program is for it to find its way into the rankings, and to be there at the end for the conference championship. (In terms of conference prestige, the American would've been better off sticking with the 8 remaining original members alone.) The critical factors for next year are Mason Garcia's ability to fill the void that HA's departure creates, Keaton Mitchell staying put in Greenville, and overhauling the secondary. (Last night would've been much closer had McCall not gone down, though I don't see a different final result.) With Mitchell, Harris back and Gunn's continued development, I would expect the Pirates backfield to be the best in the conference by far.

Holton is the man who dads want their kid to be one day! Great leader! Hope he decides to Coach, we need that kind of Man teaching our children! Thank you Mr.Ahlers!

There are those in Pirate Nation who will take the time to find faults in the Pirates victory over CC last night. From the venue, the “Birmingham Bowl”, to the apparent lack of discipline (11 penalties) of the Pirates, you can choose to find fault. I choose to celebrate! The Pirates put an exclamation point on their 7-5 season, which included its’ share of disappointment. There will be, and in deed, should be a thorough critique of, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”, that was 2022 Pirate football. For now, I say thank you to HA for his toughness, resilience, and leadership. For all of the players who “bought in” to a culture and pushed on, thank you. I think there are plenty of reasons to look forward to 2023, but for now, I just say, “Thank You”!!!

Thanks, Sammy Great report, love your work.

Welcome home. I hope you have a good spring and get the chance to compete for a starting gig. The Pirates need A LOT of help upgrading their coverage capabilities. Remember, CBs require a very short memory and the ability to immediately step up again. Don’t just “get acquainted” this spring. Seize it. Make it yours. Best of luck!!!

Thanks, Sammy