East Carolina Pirates Football

The East Carolina Pirates, representing East Carolina University (often referred to as "ECU"), are a college football team that competes in the American Athletic Conference within the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A). Leading the team is head coach Mike Houston.

Over the years, the Pirates have achieved considerable success, boasting seven conference championships and securing victory in nine bowl games. Their storied history includes the recognition of 20 All-Americans, and the team has honored four players by retiring their jerseys. Furthermore, East Carolina University has produced numerous NFL players, including ten who are currently active in the league.

The team's football journey began in 1932, and for a significant period, they played their home games at College Stadium on the university's main campus, a tradition that spanned from 1949 to the 1962 season.

East Carolina Pirates Introduction

The East Carolina Pirates, representing East Carolina University, commonly known as "ECU," are a prominent college football team competing in the American Athletic Conference within the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, previously known as Division I-A. At the helm of the team is head coach Mike Houston.

Over the course of their history, the Pirates have enjoyed notable success, clinching seven conference championships and emerging victorious in nine bowl games. Their illustrious journey includes the acknowledgment of 20 All-American players, with four individuals having the distinction of having their jerseys retired. East Carolina University has also been a fertile ground for NFL talent, producing numerous players, ten of whom are currently active in the league.

The team's football legacy traces back to its inception in 1932. During a significant era, they called College Stadium on the university's main campus their home, maintaining this tradition from 1949 until the 1962 season.

East Carolina Pirates History

In 1933, the East Carolina football team achieved a significant milestone when they secured their first-ever gridiron victory over Campbell College on November 11. The following year, in 1934, the team adopted the nickname "Pirates," a name that would become synonymous with their spirit and determination. Fast-forwarding to 1941, amidst the looming threat of Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, the Pirate football team, under Coach John Christenberry, accomplished an extraordinary feat by finishing the season with a perfect 7-0 record, placing them among the ranks of only 13 undefeated football teams in the United States that year.

In 1978, the Pirates made their mark in the modern era by making their first bowl appearance in the Independence Bowl, defeating Louisiana Tech with a score of 35-13. This achievement marked a defining moment for Pat Dye's squad, who had posted an impressive 9-3 record in their second full season as NCAA Division I-A members. This four-year run saw the Pirates accumulate a program-record 34 overall victories. Furthermore, the football team clinched its first-ever Conference USA championship by defeating Tulsa on the road after forcing seven turnovers. Adding to the pride, Chris Johnson, who led the NCAA in all-purpose yardage during the 2007 season, was selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans with the 24th overall pick, solidifying East Carolina's place in the annals of sports history.

East Carolina Pirates Coach

The current head coach is Mike Houston. East Carolina University has had a total of 22 head coaches throughout its football history. The football program, initially known as the Teachers, was established in 1932 but adopted the nickname Pirates on February 26, 1934.

Over the course of 84 seasons, with 42 of those in Division I-A, East Carolina has participated in more than 800 games. Seven of the coaches have led the Pirates to bowl games.

Steve Logan holds multiple records, including most games coached, most years coached, and most wins. John Christenbury boasts the highest winning percentage among all coaches at 0.867, while O. A. Hankner holds the lowest winning percentage at .000.

Notably, two Pirate coaches, Mike McGee and Pat Dye, have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Additionally, two coaches, Clarence Stasavich and Bill Lewis, have received National Coach of the Year honors. Three former players, Jim Johnson, Ed Emory, and Ruffin McNeill, have served as head coaches for the Pirates. Moreover, former players have transitioned into roles as Pirate assistant coaches, such as Junior Smith and Paul Troth.

East Carolina Pirates Stadium: Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium

The team kicked off its inaugural season back in 1932. For quite a substantial period, stretching from 1949 to the 1962 season, their home games were held at College Stadium, situated on the main campus. However, with the exception of the 1999 Miami football game, they have consistently used Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium as their home turf since 1963. This stadium is strategically located just south of East Carolina's main campus, near the intersection of South Charles Boulevard and 14th Street. Notably, Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium underwent significant expansion in 2010, increasing its capacity to accommodate up to 50,000 spectators. More recently, in 2016, the Pirates unveiled a substantial $55 million renovation project for Dowdy-Ficklen, which includes the addition of a new tower above the south side stands, among other enhancements.

East Carolina Pirates Rivals

ECU vs Marshall

The connection between Marshall and East Carolina is deeply rooted in history. Many are aware of the tragic incident involving Marshall's 1970 football team, which occurred after a game at East Carolina when their plane malfunctioned and crashed, resulting in the loss of all 75 people on board. Since then, the fans of both schools have shared a mutual respect, and their teams have engaged in exciting football matchups. East Carolina currently holds a 10-5 lead in the all-time series, but Marshall secured a significant victory with a 59-28 win over the Pirates in the regular season finale of their last year in Conference USA, clinching the Eastern Division Crown. One of the most iconic games in their history was the 2001 GMAC Bowl, where Marshall overcame a 38-8 halftime deficit to defeat ECU 64-61 in overtime.

While East Carolina initially dominated the series during their time as Conference USA rivals from 2005 to 2013, Marshall has since claimed some crucial victories. The two schools have decided to renew their rivalry with home-and-home matchups in 2020 and 2021.

ECU vs N.C State

Another compelling opponent for East Carolina is North Carolina, which consistently generates significant interest among ECU fans. Some of the highest-attended games at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium have been against North Carolina, with the most recent one drawing a crowd of 51,082. Although North Carolina leads the series 12-4-1, the rivalry has gained momentum in recent years, with ECU winning the last two encounters by a combined score of 125-72. While there is no scheduled meeting until 2018, this rivalry is likely to continue to captivate fans in the coming years.

The matchup between N.C. State and East Carolina is another highly anticipated game in North Carolina. The rivalry, which began in 1970, initially favored N.C. State, but ECU has made a resurgence with nine wins in the last 15 games. Although N.C. State maintains a 16-12 lead in the all-time series, ECU has claimed victory in the last two meetings, and the history of this rivalry is marked by memorable moments like ECU's come-from-behind win in the 1992 Peach Bowl and N.C. State's overtime upset over a ranked ECU team in 2008. Fortunately, the series is set to resume with meetings in 2016 and 2019.

ECU vs UFC

The rivalry between UCF and ECU may be relatively young, dating back to 1991, but it holds great potential. East Carolina currently leads the series 9-4. Since UCF joined Conference USA in 2005, the teams have regularly faced off, featuring thrilling encounters and close finishes. Both programs have enjoyed success in recent years, with ECU winning two conference championships in the past decade and UCF securing four. The American conference has recognized the game's appeal and scheduled it for late-season Thursday night matchups on ESPN, solidifying its status as one of the league's most-watched contests.

East Carolina Pirates Record and stats

The East Carolina Pirates have a notable history in college football, having participated in a total of 21 bowl games and achieving a record of 10 wins and 11 losses in those matchups. Notably, the team appeared in the Tangerine Bowl on two occasions.

Throughout their history, East Carolina has been affiliated with four different conferences: North State, Southern, Conference USA, and the American Athletic Conference. In 1953, they clinched the championship in the North State Conference, showcasing their early success. Moreover, the Pirates secured the Southern Conference title three times outright and shared the championship once.

A significant highlight in the team's history occurred on December 5, 2008, when East Carolina triumphed over Tulsa with a score of 27–24, capturing the 2008 Conference USA championship. This victory marked their first conference title in 32 years. The Pirates continued their success the following year, on December 5, 2009, defeating Houston with a score of 38–32 to claim their second consecutive C-USA title, solidifying their place in the annals of the conference's history.

Championship Conference

Division championships

East Carolina Pirates Roster

The East Carolina Pirates' 2023 football roster boasts a diverse and talented group of players representing various hometowns and previous schools. Among the notable members are Jhari Patterson, a wide receiver hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, who transferred from Marshall, and Jaylen Johnson, a senior wide receiver from Duluth, Georgia, who previously played for Georgia. The linebacker position is reinforced by BJ Davis, a graduate student from Blair, South Carolina, who transferred from South Carolina State. Additionally, the Pirates feature young talents like Raheim Jeter, a freshman quarterback from Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Chase Sowell, a freshman wide receiver from Humble, Texas, who joined the team from Colorado. This diverse roster is set to make an impact on the field during the 2023 season.

East Carolina Pirates Schedule

The East Carolina Pirates' 2023 football season has been marked by a series of matchups against various opponents. On September 2, they faced the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they experienced a 3-30 loss. The following week, on September 9, they played against Marshall at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina, and suffered a 13-31 defeat.

In the upcoming games, they are set to take on Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, and Gardner-Webb University in Greenville, aiming to paint the stadium gold for their fans. Subsequent matchups include facing Rice in Houston, Texas, with a "Paint It Black" theme, and hosting SMU in Greenville for the "Night of the Boneyard." The Pirates have an exciting season ahead, featuring various themes and events, including Homecoming and Military Appreciation, culminating in the American Football Championship on December 2, with the location determined by seeding.