Former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill was named the new head coach at East Carolina University this afternoon.
McNeill, 51, played for ECU from 1976-'80 and was a three-year starter as a safety, and also was a two-year captain for the Pirates. He also helped guide ECU to the Southern Conference Championship in 1976.
Less than two weeks ago, McNeill _ along with Tommy Tuberville _ were the two finalists to succeed Mike Leach as the head coach at Texas Tech. The job eventually went to Tuberville, who later dismissed McNeill from his staff.
The ECU job became available last Thursday when coach Skip Holtz abruptly left after five seasons to take the head coaching job at the University of South Florida. The Pirates were 9-5 and lost to Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl this past season.
McNeill spent the past 10 years at Tech in various capacities on the defensive side of the ball. He also was the defensive line coach at East Carolina in 1992.
-- Dwain Price
Ruff will bring back the Wild Dog's to ECU's defense and install a wide open spread offense. His passion will also be a magnet for high octane recruits. This is going to be good.
Posted by: Walt Mercer | January 23, 2010 at 08:05 AM