East Carolina University Football

Blake Harrell, who is in his seventh overall season at East Carolina, was officially named the 23rd head football coach on Nov. 27, 2024. Harrell, the progra...

Alex Huettel is in his first year as the offensive line coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Jan. 6, 2026. Huettel’s appointment to the ...

Although Ann Hoggard has provided exemplary leadership and service to ECU in her role as an administrative assistant to the head football coach since 2010, h...

Austen Prager is in his third season working as the Director of Football Video Operations at East Carolina University a position he started in 2022. In his c...

Ayden Ressa is in his first year at East Carolina where he serves as an offensive graduate assistant coach, a position he began in February of 2026. Prior to coming to Greenville, Ressa spent time at the University of Oklahoma working as a student assistant with the wide receiver corps (2024) while also assisting with on-campus recruiting before volunteering with the Sooners football staff as a quarterback assistant/quality control analyst. Ressa graduated from Oklahoma in May of 2025 with an undergraduate degree in business administration.

Brian Rucker, who has nearly 20 years of Division I football experience, is in his first season with East Carolina where he serves as the Director of Player Development, a position he began on Feb. 19, 2026. In his new role, Rucker's primary responsibilities will be coordinating the program's life skills, academic and mentoring support system, while spearheading the Pirates' community relations outreach efforts. He will also work with student-athletes supporting professional preparation and agent communication. Prior to his arrival in Greenville, Rucker spent eight years at The Citadel as the wide receivers coach and serving as the NFL Pro Liaison. He mentored one of the Bulldog's all-time receivers in Raleigh Webb who caught 102 passes for 2,151 yards and 22 TDs during his five-year career. Prior to joining the Bulldogs' staff, Rucker spent five seasons coaching the wide receivers at Presbyterian. He also worked with the special teams during his time with the Blue Hose. In 2014, Rucker helped PC to its first winning season as a Division I program and saw head coach Harold Nicholls named Big South Coach of the Year. Rucker spent two years coaching at Lenoir-Rhyne, working with the tight ends in 2008 and the wide receivers in 2009. He began his coaching career at Western Carolina where he coached Lamont Reid, who signed with the Tennessee Titans, and Darius Fudge, who was just the sixth student-athlete in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. A four-year l

Bryan Butterworth is in his fourth season at East Carolina University and second where he has coached the SAM and Nickle linebackers. He originally came to ECU on March 14, 2022, serving as the director of player development. Prior to his arrival in Greenville, he served as Campbell's defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach for six seasons. Under his guidance, the Camels owned the Big South Conference's top pass defense in each of his last two full seasons, leading the entire Football Championship Subdivision in fewest passing yards allowed in 2018 by surrendering just 122.5 per game. In addition to leading the FCS in fewest passing yards allowed, Campbell posted the seventh best pass efficiency defense (103.27) while ranking among the Top 25 in red zone defense (15th/72.4%), scoring defense (25th/22.0 ppg) and total defense (25th/335.4 ypg). Butterworth was responsible for the development of 11 All-Conference selections at Defensive Back during his time at Campbell. Following his first stint on the CU staff in 2012, Butterworth returned to alma mater Sacred Heart (Conn.) for the 2013 and 2014 seasons and helped guide the Pioneers to consecutive Northeast Conference titles. SHU also ranked among the top defenses at the FCS level during Butterworth's tenure in Fairfield, leading the country in interceptions in 2013 and red zone defense in 2014. Sacred Heart reached the FCS Playoffs in both seasons, earning a No. 25 national ranking. Before to his initial hire at Ca

Caedon Malone is in his first year at East Carolina where he services as a senior offensive analyst, a position he officially began on March 9, 2026. Malone’s hire ends a one-year stint at Coastal Carolina University (2025) where he served as a senior offensive analyst working with the quarterbacks. He has also spent time at Western Kentucky University (2023-25) as the quarterback’s quality control analyst, Mississippi State University (2020-23) as a special teams graduate assistant while working with the wide receivers and at Jones College (2018-20) as an offensive student assistant with the offensive line. He earned his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State in interdisciplinary studies in 2021 and a masters in workforce education leadership in 2023.

Damon Magazu enters his third year as the safeties coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Jan. 2, 2024. During the 2025 campaign, Magazu’s...

Devontay Love-Taylor is in his first year at East Carolina where he serves as the Director of Player Personnel/Recruiting and General Manager, a position he officially began on March 16, 2026. Love-Taylor's appointment to the Pirates' staff ends a two-year stint at the University of Miami where he served as the Director of Player Personnel (2025-26) and as the Assistant Director of Player Personnel (2024-25). While with the Hurricanes, Love-Taylor evaluated, recruited and built relationships with high school and transfer portal prospects through film study and in-person evaluations. He also conducted weekly evaluations of student-athlete prospects to support data-driven recruiting decisions and roster planning, while manage recruiting boards and personnel evaluations. Love-Taylor helped build a 2025 roster at Miami that posted a 13-3 record and an appearance in the CFP National Championship Game against Indiana. Prior to his move to Coral Gables, he spent two years at Arizona State University serving as a recruiting specialist (2023-24) before being elevated to Director of Scouting (2024-25). While with the Sun Devils, Love-Taylor managed and coordinated all evaluations for the football program, including prospect identification, data collection and video evaluation. He also assisted the director of player personnel with roster development, retention and recruiting operations. A Florida native from the Tampa Bay area who played at Mitchell High School, Love-Taylor started his

Hunter MacKay is in his third year as the tight ends coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Dec. 13, 2023. Prior to the start of the 2026 spring semester, he was named the passing game coordinator. In his second season, his tight end group averaged 13.6 yards per reception catching 51 passes for 695 yards which included five touchdowns. Desirrio Riles, who started 10 games, caught a position-best 28 passes for 362 yards (12.9) with two scores while Jayvontay Conner made six starts hauling in 23 receptions for 333 yards (14.5) with three touchdowns. During his initial year with the program, MacKay’s group caught 39 passes for 406 yards (10.5 ypc) with five touchdowns. Casey Kelly, who appeared in nine games, hauled in 16 passes for 128 yards with a touchdown and earned a post-season bowl invite to the Tropical Bowl. Tyler Savage led the room with 193 receiving yards on 14 grabs with a score, while Riles added eight grabs for 83 yards and two touchdowns and Conner had one reception for two yards and a score. MacKay's appointment as the tight ends coach will end a two-year stint at Ole Miss where he has served as an offensive line graduate assistant and analyst, a position he began in February of 2022. In his first season with the program, the Rebels rushing attack broke the school record with 3,336 yards while tallying nearly 6,500 yards of total offense (6,453) which ranks fourth all-time in school history. This year, the Rebels are averaging 455.4 yards per

Jarrett Ozimek is in his fifth season at East Carolina after accepting an opportunity to return to his hometown after joining Mike Houston's staff as director of football creative media on March 18, 2019. He also currently provides leadership and oversight for Pirate Creative, the athletics department's primary social media, graphics and video content arm, since 2021. Ozimek, who enjoyed an illustrious prep career as a football, baseball and band honors recipient at J.H. Rose High School, coordinated video operations and graphic content for Campbell University’s football program during the 2017 and 2018 seasons before returning to Greenville. As a four-year football letterwinner for the Camels, Ozimek served as team captain, was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Leadership Team and was a four-time Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll selection. During his final year in Buies Creek, he was a semifinalist for the prestigious National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy as one of the nation’s top scholar-athletes. In addition to notable on-field accomplishments as a punter and placekicker, Ozimek also served his alma mater in several administrative roles such as stints in the athletics ticket office, digital media division and the institution’s admissions office. He was a member of the Key Club and Honor Society at J.H. Rose while also picking up all-conference accolades in football and baseball, along with all-district distinction and al

John Straniero is in his first year at East Carolina where he serves as a senior defensive analyst, a position he officially began on March 5, 2026. Prior to moving to Greenville, Straniero spent almost three years at the University of Memphis as a defensive quality control specialist (2022-24) before serving as an assistant linebacker’s coach (2025), which he began in January. Straniero has also worked at Monmouth University (2022) as an offensive quality control specialist, Montclair State University (2019-21) serving as the running backs coach and assistant special teams coordinator. He began his coaching career at Don Bosco Prep High School in 2019 working as an assistant linebacker’s coach and special teams coordinator.

Jordan Davis is in his first year as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Dec. 18, 2025. Davis's appointment to the Pirates staff ends a three-year stint at University of North Texas (UNT) where he served as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach helping the Mean Green to an 12-2 record in 2025 that included an appearance in the American Conference Championship Game and a matchup against San Diego State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl (W, 49-47). In 2025, UNT led the nation in first down offense (first/334), scoring offense (first/44.8 ppg) and total offense (first/504.3 ypg), while also standing among NCAA FBS leaders (Top 25) eight other statistical categories: passing offense (second/323.2 pg), team passing efficiency (third/174.31), 4th down conversions (ninth/72.4 pct.), completion percentage (ninth/70.0 pct.), winning percentage (ninth/84.6), passing yards per completion (10th/14.1), red zone offense (14th/91.9 pct.) and 3rd down conversions (24th/46.4 pct.). Under his tutelage, Wyatt Young caught 63 passes for 1,209 yards with 10 touchdowns ranking nationally in receptions yards (third) and receiving scores (11th). While quarterback Drew Mestemaker led the nation in passing yards (4,129), passing yards per game (317.6) and yards per pass attempt (9.93) and All-America running back Caleb Hawkins stood first in FBS in rushing scores (23), scoring (13.0 pg), total points scored (156) and total touchdown

Jordon Hankins is in his first year as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Jan. 1, 2026. Hankins’ appointment to the Pirates’ staff ends a five-year at the University of Memphis where he served as the defensive coordinator (2024-25), linebackers coach (2021-25) and assistant special team coordinator (2021-23). This past season (2025), the Tigers posted an 8-5 overall record and appeared in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. Memphis’ defense ranked among the FBS leaders (Top 50) in six defensive categories including red zone defense (30th/78.4 pct.), defensive touchdowns scored (33rd/2), interceptions (41st/12), rushing defense (42nd/132.1 ypg), turnovers gained (43rd/19) and fourth down conversion defense (48th/50.0 pct.). For members of his defensive unit earned All-American Conference honors in Sam Brumfield (LB/first team), William Whitlow Jr. (DL/first team), Omarion Cooper (CB/second team) and Pooda Walker (DL/third team). The 2024 season saw remarkable improvement from the year before as Memphis led the nation with 15 fumble recoveries and was tied for second in the country with a +18-turnover ratio. Overall, Memphis forced 26 turnovers on the season – six more than the 2023 season. The biggest improvement among many was the Tigers’ rushing defense, which allowed 156.5 yards per game in 2023 and 2,034 total to rank No. 77 in FBS. Memphis ranked No. 15 in the nation allowing just 111.8 yards per game on th

Juan Soto is in his first year as the wide receivers coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Jan. 1, 2025. Soto comes to Greenville after spending the last two years (2024-25) as the assistant wide receivers coach at the University of North Texas (UNT) under new offensive coordinator Jordan Davis. Under the tutelage of Soto in 2025, First-Team All-American Conference wide receiver Wyatt Young led the Mean Green in receptions (70), receiving yards (1,264) and touchdowns (10), while Cameron Dorner tallied a team second-best in catches (56), yards (911) and touchdowns (8). Young stood among the FBS leaders in receiving yards (third), reception yards per game (eighth/90.3), yards per reception (17th/13.21), receiving scores (12th), receptions per game (53rd/5.0), total touchdowns (55th/11) and all-purpose yards per game (77th/91.43). In 2025, UNT’s offense led the nation in first down offense (first/334), scoring offense (first/44.8 ppg) and total offense (first/504.3 ypg), while also standing among NCAA FBS leaders (Top 25) eight other statistical categories: passing offense (second/323.2 pg), team passing efficiency (third/174.31), 4th down conversions (ninth/72.4 pct.), completion percentage (ninth/70.0 pct.), winning percentage (ninth/84.6), passing yards per completion (10th/14.1), red zone offense (14th/91.9 pct.) and 3rd down conversions (24th/46.4 pct.). During his first season working with the offense, UNT finished the 2024 season ranked third in FBS in

Julian Griffin is in his first year as the running backs coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Jan. 6, 2026. Griffin comes to Greenville after spending one year (2025) at the University of Cal Berkeley where he served as the running backs coach. His group tallied 1,405 rushing yards while scoring 21 touchdowns and was led by All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention selection Kenrick Raphael. On the season, Raphael led the Golden Bears in rushing with 943 yards on 232 carries (4.1 avg.) with 13 scores (12 rushing). He also ranked third in the ACC in rushing touchdowns and total scores, while standing ninth on the programs single-season charts with 12 ground touchdowns. Prior to arriving at Cal, Griffin coached five seasons at UTSA helping the Roadrunners to the program’s best five-year run-in program history with a 46-20 overall record, 31-8 regular season mark, two conference championships and five-straight bowl appearances. During the 2024 campaign, UTSA rushed for 2,180 yards on 490 carries and scored 23 touchdowns. The Roadrunners stood 57th nationally in rushing offense (167.7 ypg), 12th in total offense (451.2 ypg) and 27th in scoring offense (33.3 ppg). Robert Henry led UTSA’s rushing attack registering 706 ground yards on 130 carries and scored seven touchdowns, while Brandon High added 495 yards (93 carries) and a team-best eight rushing scores. In 2023, Griffin helped guide the Roadrunners to a 9-4 overall record, a 7-1 mark for a third-pla

Lance Ware, who has nearly 30 years of high school and college football experience, is in his second year at East Carolina serving as the Chief of Staff for ...

Lydia West is in her first year as the Director of Football Operations at East Carolina, a position she began on Dec. 20, 2024. West, who has 13-plus years of operations experience, comes to Greenville following nearly eight years at Kennesaw State University where she served as coordinator of football operations/recruiting (2017-22) and recently as the director of football operations (2022-24). As the director of football operations, West managed all aspects of team travel and home game day operations including but not limited to scheduling of transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, itineraries along with financial needs for trips. She also assisted the chief of staff in oversite of football operations and recruiting budgets. In her previous role at KSU as the coordinator for football operations and recruiting, West represented the front line of support for all coaches, support staff, student-athletes, and guests of the program with their respective needs. She played a major role in travel, game day operations and special event coordination for the team. West was responsible for organizing all on-campus recruiting, bringing over 200 guests to campus for Kennesaw State football home games. She also worked hand-in-hand with KSU communications, ticketing, and compliance to coordinate recruiting visits to campus. She also served as the liaison with housing, admissions, financial aid, and compliance to ensure athletes and coaches are on track for eligibility, academic, and r

Malcolm Gray was named the Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations at East Carolina University in June of 2022. The Greenville, N.C. native and 1996 ECU graduate, who most recently served as Director of Media Relations working with several Pirate teams including football, baseball, women's swimming and diving and men's and women's golf, recently completed his 20th year as a full-time member (23rd overall) of the athletics department. Gray, whose media services operation at Clark-LeClair Stadium has been recognized and lauded by national publications and regional sports information outlets, was chosen in 2021 as the 46th recipient of the prestigious Russell D. Anderson/Wilbur Snypp Award, presented annually by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association for outstanding contributions to college baseball. He currently holds a position on the NCWA executive board as an associate executive director after serving as the organization's President during the 2016-17 season. Gray was also instrumental in helping East Carolina win a pair of earn a pair of Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) "Super 11" Awards for media relations services in 2009 and 2014. In the summer of 2010, Gray worked as the summer press officer with USA Baseball. The Collegiate National Team (CNT) posted a 16-3 record and finished second at the V FISU World University Championships in Tokyo, Japan. A year later, he ran the press services at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in

Mark Hatcher is in his first year as the recruiting coordinator at East Carolina University, a position he began on July 1, 2024 … Enters his third year with the staff after serving as a defensive graduate assistant from 2022-23 … Assisted defensive group in meetings and on the field instruction, including leading individual drills … Also responsible for run game breakdown and offensive scout teams, created weekly scouting reports and defensive presentations … His group ranked second in American Conference in rushing yards allowed (2022, 2023) … Worked with Second Team All-AAC lineman D’Anta Johnson in 2023 … Spent one year (2021) at Delta State working as a graduate assistant (safeties/special teams assistant) where he led position group in meetings and on the field instruction … Responsible for overall opponent breakdown, offensive scout teams, and scouting reports … Only defensive staff member in the box on game days … Coached on unit which led the Gulf South Conference in interceptions, including converted linebacker Sherrod Paige, who led the Gulf South in interceptions as a safety … Set a school record for punts blocked in a season (four) and blocked kicks (eight) … Squad gave up fewest kickoff return yards in the Gulf South Conference … Coached Kory Gainwell and Robbie Evans, who led the Gulf South in kick return yards and punt return yards, respectively and Parker Burleson, who ranked first in the conference in punts inside the 20, and second in total yards and 50-yar

Mason Baggett, who has nearly 20 years of experience training student-athletes at the collegiate level, was officially named the Director of Strength and Conditioning at East Carolina University on April 7, 2025. Baggett's appointment to oversee the Pirate strength and conditioning program ended a two-month stint at Virginia Tech where he served as the associate director of strength and conditioning. Baggett worked at the University of Maryland in 2024. He served as the head strength and conditioning coach at Nevada in 2022 and 2023, following one year as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Oregon. He previously spent six years at Maryland (2016-2021), including the last four as associate director of football strength and conditioning with the Terrapin football team. Prior to his time in College Park, Baggett served just over a year as the associate strength and conditioning coach with the University of Illinois' football program. In 2024, Baggett earned the title of Master Strength and Conditioning Coach from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. This prestigious honor marks the highest recognition in the strength and conditioning profession. Baggett was a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at EXOS in Camp Lejeune, N.C. for almost four years, working with Marine Special Operations Command for the Human Performance and Resiliency Program (MPOTFF). He was directly responsible for the design and implementation of strength and conditioning p

Reed Roberts joined East Carolina University in January, bringing with him experience in sports science and strength and conditioning. Most recently, Reed served as the Assistant Director of Player Athletic Development at the University of Florida during the 2023 season. In that role, he helped the Gators to an 8–5 record, earning a victory at the Gasparilla Bowl. This marked his second stint with Florida, having previously worked as a part-time performance coach in 2022. In 2023, Reed was an assistant strength coach for the football program at Georgia State University, contributing to the Panthers' successful campaign that ended with a win in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Before his time at Georgia State and the University of Florida, Reed held a part-time performance coaching position at Baylor University in 2021. That season, the Bears captured both the Big 12 Championship and a Sugar Bowl victory. Earlier in 2021, Reed interned with the University of Cincinnati football team during the summer. That team became the first Group of Five team to earn a berth in the College Football Playoff. Reed is a graduate of Delta State University, where he was a member of the baseball team. During his undergraduate years, he also interned with the university's strength and conditioning staff, setting the foundation for his career in athletic performance.

Rico Zackery is in his second year as the outside linebackers coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on March 4, 2024. During his initial year at ECU, Zackery coached the defensive ends and outside linebackers mentoring the two groups that registered 178 tackles (86 solo) with 24.0 TFLs (-107 yards) that included 9.0 sacks (-61). In all, they tallied one interception, three pass breakups, 11 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and recovered a pair of fumbles returning them for six yards. Ryheem Craig stood fifth on the team in stops with 53 (18 solo) adding 6.0 sacks (-18) with two sacks (-10). JD Lampley led the team with six quarterback hurries to go along with 26 tackles (14 solo), 5.0 TFLs (-18) that included 2.5 sacks (-14). Stephens second among this group in total tackles with 41 (15 solo) and registered 3.5 sacks (-17) and one sack (-11). Samuel Dankah picked off a pass at Tulsa (17 yards) while booking 34 tackles (24 solo) with 6.5 TFLs (-45) that included three sacks (-22) to go along with two pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles. Zackery's appointment to the Pirates' staff ends a two-year stint as the Head Football Coach at Westlake High School. During his time leading the Lions program, his teams posted an 18-7 combined record where they averaged 270.5 yards per game, scored 19.4 points per contest (allowed 14.9 ppg) and scored 81 total touchdowns. Prior to his time at Westlake High School, Zackery spent three years at

A seasoned veteran coach that has helped ECU earn postseason eligibility in four of the last five years (2021 Military Bowl, 2022 TicketSmarter Bowl champions, 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl champions, 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl champions). Tesh is entering his eighth year at East Carolina coaching the defensive line and was named the co-defensive coordinator following the 2025 season. Originally hired on Dec. 7, 2018, Tesh has also served as a special team’s coordinator, bandits coach and defensive run game coordinator for the Pirates. Tesh, who was a 2025 Broyles Award Nominee, mentored line group in 2025 spearheaded one of the best defensive units in program history. Behind a pair of all-conference performers in Zion Wilson (first team) and J.D. Lampley (second team), the Pirates front tallied 141 tackles, 42.5 TFLs (-193 yards) which included 20.5 sacks for minus 137 yards. In addition to four pass breakups, 14 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, the unit ranked fourth nationally in TFLs per game (7.8) and 23rd in sacks per contest (2.62). Wilson led The American during regular season play with 7.0 sacks and was one of seven players in the league to have double-digit TFLs. Lampley, Jasiyah Robinson and Wilson combined to make 37 starts while helping the defense rank among the FBS leaders (Top 30) in fumbles recovered (second/14), red zone defense (seventh/.705), 3rd down conversion percentage (ninth/.305), scoring defense (25th/20.1 ppg

Ryan McManus is in his fourth season at East Carolina University and second as a senior offensive analyst. He currently works with the offensive line unit an...

Ryan Smith is in his first year as the Senior Special Teams Analyst at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Feb. 24, 2025. Smith returns to East Carolina after working the last two-plus years at the University of Minnesota (2022-25) serving as special teams’ quality control. In that role, he was responsible for scouting and break down of the special teams’ units, organizes and coordinated scout special team units, coached unit specific fundamental drills while assisting in the coaching of all special team members. Prior to joining the Golden Gophers program, Smith spent four seasons at East Carolina, including three as special teams analyst. Among his duties in that role, he created special teams scouting reports and cut-ups for coaches and players, was responsible for breaking down opponent special teams and defense, coached and managed scout special teams and scout offensive units and assisted in recruiting evaluation in various recruiting areas. Before to being elevated to special teams analyst, Smith spent the 2018 season at ECU as a defensive graduate assistant where he assisted in coaching the cornerbacks. He also assisted in all aspects of official and unofficial recruiting visits, created and managed practice schedules and scripts, among other duties. The 2017 season saw Smith serve as defensive quality control at Black Hills State University in South Dakota. In that position, he assisted in coaching cornerbacks, coached and managed the scout offense and s

Officially named director of high school and alumni relations at East Carolina on April 1, 2023 ... Serves as the liaison with North Carolina high schools and ECU’s staff … Coordinates the walk-on program as well as camps and and clinics … Point of contact with ECU football alumni ... Previously served as the offensive line coach under Mike Houston (2018-22) ... During his four stints with the program (1987-91, 1998-02 and 2005-09, 2018-22) he has been a part of nine bowl games and four wins including the Peach Bowl title in 1991 which resulted in a No. 9 final ranking ... Returned to ECU as the offensive line coach under Houston on Dec. 7, 2018 … In addition to directing the front line in each tour, also handled co-offensive coordinator duties in first (Bill Lewis) and third (Skip Holtz) tenures … In all, possesses over four decades of coaching experience (48 years) with 40 at the Division I level ... Recently completed is 19th year at ECU helping the Pirates to a 53-29 win over Coastal Carolina in the 2022 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl ... Mentored an offensive line group that paved the way for 2,218 yards in 2022 – the program’s highest total since 2007 (second most since 2000) and provided running lanes for Keaton Mitchell’s second straight 1,000-yard season with his 1,452 ground yards which were the most by a Pirate since Scott Harley’s 1,745 yards in 1996 ... The Pirates averaged 170.6 rushing yards per game, while the line protected Holton Ahlers who had a career year

Tarron Williams is in his first year as the cornerbacks coach at East Carolina, a position he officially began on Jan 14, 2025. Williams’ appointment to the Pirates’ staff ends a two-year stint at Old Dominion where he helped the Monarchs to the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl against Western Kentucky. This past year, he played a role on the Monarchs defense that held opponents to 410.4 yards per game, including 237.8 passing yards per contest, and picking off 12 passes – ranking 44th in FBS. He mentored Angelo Rankin Jr, a Top 5 cornerback in the Sun Belt Conference. who tallied 45 stops (32 solo) standing seventh on the team. He registered three interceptions (23 yards) sharing the team lead with two pass breakups, while forcing a team-high three fumbles. In his first season with the Monarch, Williams helped LaMareon James earn Sun Belt honorable mention accolades. All three cornerbacks that started games for the Monarchs had one interception, while James recovered four fumbles and scored a pair of touchdowns, one on an interception and one on a fumble return, in the game against Wake Forest. Nolan Johnson started nine games and had an interception while junior college transfer Rasheed Reason recorded four starts and notched an interception. Williams came to ODU after spending the previous two seasons as the cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator at Richmond (2021-23). Williams helped the Spiders to a 9-4 record this season as Richmond advanced to the second round

Taryn Smith, who previously spent 18 months as a recruiting graduate assistant at East Carolina, was officially named the Director of On-Campus Recruiting for the football program on Feb. 16, 2026. In her previous role, she assists with prospect official/unofficial visits, recruiting logs, external recruiting plans, prospect transitional tasks (admissions, campus, and NCAA), as well as communicates across various athletics departments, including, but not limited to: ticketing, compliance, and operations. Smith is a native of Ohio and a graduate of Ohio Northern University, where she received her bachelor of science in business administration/sport management degree in May 2023 before earning her masters in sport management in Dec. of 2025 at East Carolina.

Career Notes: Three-year letterman (3/East Carolina) who appeared in 50 career games making 26 starts … Named one of four team captains for the Pirates in 2025 … Booked 154 total tackles (99 solo) … Registered 8.5 TFLs (-20 yards) including a half sack (-4 yards) … Recorded at least one tackle in 45 of 50 games (multiple 33 times) … Credited with four interceptions (61 yards) with 12 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … Member of three bowl teams (2021 Military Bowl, 2022 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl, 2025 Go Military Bowl) with a pair of bowl championships (2022, 2025). 2025 (East Carolina): Started all 13 games earning third career varsity letter … Named team co-captain … Recorded 54 tackles (35 solo) ranking fourth on the team … Registered 2.0 TFLs (-5 yards) … Stood second on the team with two interceptions for 55 yards) … Credited with four pass breakups, one quarterback hurry, forced one fumble and recovered another (no return) … Booked at least one stop in all 13 games (multiple 12 times) … Picked off passes against NC State (20 yards) and Florida Atlantic (35 yards) … Lone fumble recovery came at Tulane (no yards) … Recorded TFLs against Campbell (0.5/-1 yard), Tulsa (0.5/-2 yards), Memphis (1.0/-2 yards) … Forced fumble against Pittsburgh in the Go Bowling Military Bowl … Two of 54 stops came on special teams unit. 2024 (Houston): Appeared in three games after transferring from East Carolina … Booked one tackle (solo) coming against Rice. 2023