I was surprised at how stupid the players were to shop lift in China. If they were Chinese, they would be looking any many years in prison. I do not know if the problem is plain stupidy or a sense of entitlement. I say let them spend some time in jail - may make a better person of them.

You have a point, but the only way I can see changing my mind is if they just flat-out fail to compete the last two games. It seems that there are stats out there these days for everything. ...would love to know how many head coaches at the FCS or FBS level have been fired after two seasons (if any; next year would be a different kettle of fish, undoubtedly.)

They were his guys the moment he accepted the job. It's his job to "coach them up". I think he just has too little experience for such a high level position. He was unproven coming in and it is showing now.

How do you cut a guy after two seasons? How many of the starters are "his guys"?? I really don't know, and am open to being educated on it, but I'd think probably close to 0 on last year's edition, maybe a decent number on this year's, but how many of those are first year starters?? Even putting aside the controversial Ruff axing (which I was actually OK with), which, as someone else has already said, makes it almost politically impossible to cut Mo loose now, I'd still say you have to give him at least one more year. ...but man, he sure as heck be out there beating the bushes for defensive stoppers who can step right into it next year; I think the o is definitely headed the right way.

You right but I rather admit mistake now then another year from now. We are losing so much money and going get worse next year.

I believe its numerous of coaches with HC experience that will love to be a pirate. JMU or maybe NC A&T Broadway would be some good names. I would even like to see Tenn, Butch Jones coaching again in Purple & Gold. Its sad that the AD doesn't notice how low ECU really are. I remember ECU seniors interviewing Coach Holtz before he was hire. Thats what a great AD does (TERRY). Coach Mo is a good sales person but I don't like the relationship he has with his players. He spends more time fussing at the Refs then coaching. He can talk to the media about positive environment in the locker room. I know thats not true at all because who wants to lose. Those players are clueless and hurt. Coach Mo always blames the players and coaches. Hmmmm you hired those coaches but its base on the HC. I totally feel sorry for those players more then anything.

I agree that the JMU coach or someone like him would probably make a great hire. There are several lower division coaches that are successful and would be a good fit for ECU. Schools like Troy, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee have good solid programs. And frankly, I would be tickled to see a Skip Holtz or Steve Logan return. I hate saying it, but I never have understood why our AD made a quick decision on Scotty Montgomery. I wish I could ask him.

Seriously? Compher, can't fire this guy even if he wanted to after the Ruff fiasco. He's praying he turns it around in season 3, there's no decision to make....

Very well said. When you lose hope, you have lost it all. The AD and B.O.T. do not seem to understand how important it is to make the right hire. Fans have to believe in the coach. When they don't, they don't show up at games and stop paying for season tickets or Pirate club memberships.It is not going to be long, if not already, that local businesses are going to see a lot of lost business.

After UCF was as low as i've felt as a Pirate, the team flat out quit that night. The last three games have been better, and there's been much more fight on display. That doesn't hide the fact that the last two years have been filled with unacceptable moments, of which losing at home to Tulane is only the most recent. Mo shouldn't get a third year. The problem is, he's not the problem.

Good article. Love the JMU suggestion too. Two years without defense, I'm not sure it can get worse on that side of the ball. I still don't see a DE on the roster that has proven he can be an average Division 1 player. No pass rush and no contain. Offense has shown signs of life, but let's face it, Tulane is not the Steel Curtain. Finances aside, have we really made any progress in the past two years to justify a promising outlook for year 3 & beyond ?

JMU coach would be a good person to look at. If not him, go after a coach from a solid winning program that consistently wins... We need a home run in the leadership dept. Coach Mo, nice guy maybe, good position coach maybe..... head coach. I just don't see it. JuCo is not the way to build a program. Insulting players in saying we need to recruit better, we don't have enough team speed, etc. who is gonna suit up and play for a guy that points blame at his players. Ruff understood program - there is no quick fix. Ultimately, I've lost interest and the loses don't hurt anymore. Apathy from a guy who used to really love Pirates football. Don't enjoy watching anymore. Can't get a yard against a Tulane team? Sad state of affairs in my opinion. Need some real change. Until then, good luck. Empty seats don't sell hotdogs. $$$ will become a real issue soon.

I mostly agree with this mildly optimistic yet realistic assessment; the biggest overall positive Sat. night was the team's willingness to keep fighting. I was hoping Coach Mo would go for 2 after the last minute TD. In effect, you're already in OT at that point anyway, with so little time remaining, though not going for the conversion was defensible. Coach doesn't do himself any favors, however, when he brings in Sirk after a long drive, as he did for that attempted pass to the TE. At the point, the D is going to clog the box because Sirk is well known to run, and if he passes (as he did), he's cold off the bench, so you can't count on his accuracy. Also, Sirk is done re eligibility; Coach just has to turn that page. Next up is a mediocre Cinci at home; will the Pirates keep competing, and this time close the deal? It's in them, and they need to do it, if for no other reason than to lessen some of the misery from the past couple of seasons.

I don't see it. I know Ruff was not winning as much as we would've liked, but the guy won 5 games with a 3rd string qb and a receiver his final year. Compared to this guy who is quite simply in over his head as indicated here by having to hire help midway through the season. If the poorly run administration wants to continue wirh empty seats and a decline of support from it's core fan base keep Montgomery. If they want a rebirth similar to what happened after the John Thompson experience when Skip Holtz was hired then let Montgomery go after the Cinci. game should they lose yet again. On the other hand, I'm not sure our current A.D. or B.O.T has the connection with core Pirate fans to understand the need for a rebirth of passion that is missing, or the big picture ideas that Terry Holland had when he reached out to a star in the making in Skip Holtz. Who had been all but forgotten at South Carolina.

"We simply don’t have the funding. Heck, how we are able to compete in the AAC is amazing. Before we attack Compher and what he is paying people I would suggest that everyone take a look online and see how far down the AAC totem pole ECU is with Athletic Budget and coaching pay. Compher doesn’t have a magic wand, money tree or money printing press. " Which makes his firing of McNeill even more dumb. We were overachieving relative to our budget. This isn't even taking into account Compher had no plan and no clue what kind of candidate pool he could attract. I have a good feeling that you probably have some relationship with Compher or are attached to this administration.