Eastern Carolina Fires Football Coach Ruffin McNeill After Six Seasons

Eastern Carolina appeared in a postseason bowl game every year 2011. This year’s miss, prompted by a 5-7 record, was enough to cost head coach Ruffin McNeill his job.

“After deliberate evaluation, the decision has been made to move our football program in a different direction with new leadership,” said athletic director Jeff Compher. “We are appreciative of the hard work, dedication and contributions Coach McNeill and his staff have made to both East Carolina University and our community.“

“Our expectations are to compete for championships,” Compher continued. “Our goal will be to move expediently in the search process, and based on the outstanding support of our Pirate fan base and enhanced visibility in the American Athletic Conference, I am confident our candidate pool will be deep.”

Before his move east, McNeill previously spent 10 years at Texas Tech. During his time at ECU, he led the Pirates to a combined record of 42–34 record in six seasons. The team also appeared in four bowl games and posted one 10-win season (2013).

PHOTO: NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 22: Head coach Ruffin McNeill of the East Carolina Pirates talks with an official during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bow at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 22, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Article by Joe Kozlowski