ECU's Houston hires ten staff, including eight coaches from JMU
East Carolina University's new football coach ended his first week on the job by announcing he's hired ten staff members, eight who are from his old school.
Mike Houston was hired Monday, replacing Scottie Montgomery who was fired before the season's last game.
Donnie Kirkpatrick - offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
Bob Trott - defensive coordinator/safeties
Roy Tesh - special teams coordinator/bandits
Drew Dudzik - outside receivers
Jeff Hanson - defensive line
Fontel Mines - tight ends/inside receivers/recruiting coordinator
Steve Shankweiler - offensive line
De'Rail Sims - running backs
Dale Steele - director of football administration
John Williams, Jr. - director of strength & conditioning
Houston today also confirmed that Brandon Lynch, who served as cornerbacks coach for the past two seasons, is staying on with the Pirates.
"I'm thrilled to introduce a staff which features a great combination of championship experience and youthful energy," Houston said. "Throughout their careers they have developed a proven track record of success at the highest levels, including the NFL and FBS, plus offer an energetic approach that matches their intensity.
All ten new hires have begun their duties immediately.
The new head football coach at East Carolina University isn't wasting any time in assembling his coaching team for the Pirates.
Sources tell WITN's Billy Weaver that Coach Mike Houston is planning to hire three of the assistant coaches from his old school, James Madison University.
It will be a homecoming for Donnie Kirkpatrick who was ECU's assistant head coach/receivers coach as well as recruiting coordinator from 2005 to 2015.
Kirkpatrick is currently the offensive coordinator at JMU.
Houston is also expected to hire Bob Trott, JMU's defensive coordinator since 2016. Trott has more than 40 years of coaching experience including stints with three NFL teams.
Trott also knows the state well, having coached at both UNC and Duke.
The new ECU coach is expected to name Steve Shankweiler as an assistant coach. For Shankweiler it will be his fourth tour at ECU, most recently working for the Pirates from 2005 to 2009.
Shankweiler is currently JMU's offensive line coach.
An official announcement on the new hires is expected soon.
The new head football coach at East Carolina University apparently has wasted no time in hiring his coaching team for the Pirates.
Sources have confirmed to WITN's Billy Weaver that Donnie Kirkpatrick will be ECU's new offensive coordinator.
It will be a homecoming for Kirkpatrick who was ECU's assistant head coach/receivers coach as well as recruiting coordinator from 2005 to 2015.
Kirkpatrick is currently the offensive coordinator for James Madison University and helped Mike Houston win an FCS national title in 2017.
This is believed to be the first hire for Houston who was named ECU head coach on Monday to replace Scottie Montgomery. The former coach was fired last Thursday after three seasons at ECU.
An official announcement on Kirkpatrick's hiring is expected soon.
