GREENVILLE — Coming off a disappointing 2023 campaign, which turned out to be the second 10-loss season in program history, ECU is once again in rebuild mode.
ECU’s sudden and dramatic falloff, especially on the offensive end, has brought many changes on the coach and player level in the offseason, leaving sixth-year head coach Mike Houston in a similar position to where he started.
However, he isn’t cleaning up someone else’s mess. This time, Houston is cleaning up his own. Just two seasons ago, the Pirates finished with their second straight winning record and a bowl win, and after veering off the upward trajectory, it’s time to lead the ship back on the right track.
Last Year
It’s one thing to lose to the No. 2 team in the country and eventual national champions (Michigan) at their place to start the season, and it’s another thing to never bounce back. Following the season opening loss, ECU got blown out in its next two games, exposing glaring issues on the offensive end.
The Pirates limped to American Athletic Conference play with a 1-4 record and still couldn’t muster enough offensive production to salvage the season. ECU only scored 19 touchdowns and accumulated 3,327 yards (rushing and passing) all year, which was dead last in the AAC. Things came to a tipping point in a 10-0 loss to Navy on Nov. 18 as the Pirates were shut out for the first time since Oct. 4, 1997, and major coaching changes immediately followed. ECU finished the season with a 2-10 overall record.
Changes and newcomers
Unsurprisingly, ECU will enter 2024 with John David Baker as its new offensive coordinator after the team parted ways with his predecessor Donnie Kirkpatrick last season. Baker is coming from being the co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Ole Miss which had one of the best offenses in the SEC last year.
Other new coaches for the Pirates include Matt Mattox (offensive line), Rodney Freeman (running backs), Hunter MacKay (tight ends), Rico Zackery (defensive ends and outside linebackers) and Damon Magazu (safeties).
On the player level, ECU saw 17 players enter and 33 players exit from the transfer portal this offseason. Of the players coming in, most of them are new offensive talent, including three new quarterbacks (Jake Garcia, Katin Houser and Bryson Harrison), multiple offensive linemen and a few receivers and tight ends.
Players to watch
Defensive back Shavon Revel Jr. and incoming transfer receiver Winston Wright Jr. were named to the East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List this month. Revel, a senior, earned all-conference honors in 2023 and will look to be a leader in the Pirates’ secondary that should hope for a better year in the interception column this fall.
Wright, a graduate student who made previous stops at Florida State and West Virginia, will hope to boost a new look offense and add experience to the Pirates’ receiving corps. After missing the 2022 season due to injury, Wright didn’t play much at FSU last season. Yet, in his junior year at WVU in 2021, Wright led the Mountaineers with 63 receptions, 688 yards and five touchdowns. As long as he stays healthy, Wright could be a key contributor as he looks for a bounce back year for himself.
Best Case
It’ll help if ECU comes out of non-conference play at least at .500 while having built confidence and momentum in its offense. If the Pirates can score just over 21 points per game with the same level (or better) of defense as last season, they should be in good shape to exceed last year’s win total and possibly play their way back into bowl contention.
Worst Case
If ECU doesn’t find the answer for its offense this season, there won’t be much improvement in the win-loss column. Houston may even be on the hot seat after two straight underwhelming seasons.
Key games
Sept. 14 vs. App State — A win over an in-state opponent at home will not only be payback from last year’s loss, but also a good early test of how good ECU can be.
Sept. 28 vs. UTSA — As ECU’s first conference opponent, this game can set the tone and be a confidence builder for this team as it tries to improve last year’s 1-7 conference record.
Nov. 29 vs. Navy — This is another chance to showcase improvement as the Pirates can get revenge for last year’s shut out.
Outlook
For as low as the program reached last year, ECU may not see a complete 180 immediately. As long as it produces better offensive showings, it should find itself in position to win more games than last year — a major victory for a program that’s building itself back up.
