Can't wait for game #1 at NC State. The last game was an expected debacle. No coach, starting quarterback, etc. I'm expecting Houston to have these boys ready to fight and State expecting another easy win.

(02-07-2019 09:21 AM)DowdyPirate Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 08:32 AM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 08:30 AM)Pitt Co Pirates Wrote:  I was in attendance for National Signing day get together in the club level of Dowdy-Fick yesterday. Spoke with numerous coaches.

Mike Houston's staff and of course himself are top notch, very well prepared, and extremely hard working. They remind me of the the staff Skip Holtz brought with him which was top notched as well.

Expect a major change on the field next year in the Pirates program. Year 2 will be drastic.

We've been down sometime and the jokes have been real funny. That will change too.

East Carolina will make this conference better. Our football history is as strong if not stronger than any other member of the AAC.

Just a heads up and beware. Snap your chinstrap when you play the Pirates!!!

Yeah let's pump the breaks. Seriously not looking forward to the "He's checked all the boxes other than the win column" posts over the next 2 years.

Dude Scotty Montgomery just sucks. Anybody with a brain can and could see that when he was hired. Mike Houston is a good coach anybody with a brain can see that.

You can take Rice out of the teams with 10+straight seasons with 30 wins in baseball.

(02-07-2019 10:52 PM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 10:33 PM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 01:36 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  Houston is a good hire, excited for the Pirates. As for the comments about ECU having the strongest history of any team in the American... um... lol. Nevertheless love the hire. I think between Dooley and Houston ECU has two solid coaches in place.

I know about UH & SMU's heydays pre C-USA and the high water marks are very impressive. ECU was also no slouch in the 90s and had some good squads in the 70s & a very good team in '83. While UH has obviously shown more in the AAC, ECU arguably was a better program than UH throughout C-USA history and held the edge head-to head as well. See link below to the Biloxi Sun Herald article from a few years ago that ranked the top five football programs in C-USA history as follows:

1) USM
2) Louisville
3) Tulsa
4) UCF
5) ECU

ECU also had a winning record over every team in this conference outside of USF & Navy upon joining.

https://www.sunherald.com/sports/spt-col...70315.html

I think ECU should actually be 3rd on the list because ECU was in the conference longer, consistently had the biggest OOC wins, to go along with the 2 titles ECU also finished 2nd 5 times. Also, ECU won the Liberty Bowl Alliance (precursor to C-USA) both years of it's existence in '94 & '95. Even when UH won the inaugural C-USA title in '96 (before ECU was invited), ECU had a better record and was considered for the Liberty Bowl as an alternative option instead of UH which ultimately helped ECU's efforts in joining C-USA.

Since we're pimping ECU again today, don't forget that ECU is the only program in C-USA history to this day that ever beat 3 top 25 teams in consecutive games by knocking off #22 Boise St, #15 VT & then # 8 WVU back in '08. Now that's a C-USA record that will never be broken.

Consecutive games? yes, but the boise game was the Hawaii bowl, played in 2007, for the 2007 season. Was rooting big time for you guys in all those games. Just wanted to make sure we weren't inflating the stats.

(02-08-2019 09:49 AM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 06:58 AM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 10:33 PM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 01:36 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  Houston is a good hire, excited for the Pirates. As for the comments about ECU having the strongest history of any team in the American... um... lol. Nevertheless love the hire. I think between Dooley and Houston ECU has two solid coaches in place.

I know about UH & SMU's heydays pre C-USA and the high water marks are very impressive. ECU was also no slouch in the 90s and had some good squads in the 70s & a very good team in '83. While UH has obviously shown more in the AAC, ECU arguably was a better program than UH throughout C-USA history and held the edge head-to head as well. See link below to the Biloxi Sun Herald article from a few years ago that ranked the top five football programs in C-USA history as follows:

1) USM
2) Louisville
3) Tulsa
4) UCF
5) ECU

ECU also had a winning record over every team in this conference outside of USF & Navy upon joining.

https://www.sunherald.com/sports/spt-col...70315.html

I think ECU should actually be 3rd on the list because ECU was in the conference longer, consistently had the biggest OOC wins, to go along with the 2 titles ECU also finished 2nd 5 times. Also, ECU won the Liberty Bowl Alliance (precursor to C-USA) both years of it's existence in '94 & '95. Even when UH won the inaugural C-USA title in '96 (before ECU was invited), ECU had a better record and was considered for the Liberty Bowl as an alternative option instead of UH which ultimately helped ECU's efforts in joining C-USA.

14 top 25 finishes to ECU's 2
6 top 10 finishes to ECU's 1
Toss in a heisman and several major bowl wins to boot. UH takes the history battle hands down. Personally I'd place ECU at 6th in the AAC if we're talking history, behind Navy, SMU, UH, UCF, and UC (the latter two because of their recent success). Just to be clear thats not an insult or me trying to knock ECU. This is a good league so to be on the top side of middle of the pack, to me at least, is a good thing. Now if you asked me which programs I feel like have the most upside and potential thats a different story, because that would take into account other factors such as fan support and geography (both of which bolster ECU's upside as a program, imo). Overall there's no reason (other than bad coaching hires) for ECU not to be a consistent winner in this league and I think the Houston hire is a step in the right direction for the Pirates.

I agree that UH has a better history overall. ECU seems to be snake bitten in a lot of respects. ECU should/could have so much more accolades as a program but for what in many cases can only be explained as bad luck. I'm embarrassed about our lack of top 25 finishes but we do have 3 if you count #23 in the coaches poll in '96 after the Liberty Bowl win over Stanford.

There were so many seasons that one wtf game cost us a conference championship or division title. Other than losing to USM on most occasions, a few mind numbing losses to UAB, giving up a 9-point lead to Rice in under 2 minutes one year, & one bad loss to a bad Marshall team in '07 come to mind.

Also, there were a few times where if ECU just wins its bowl game ECU is top 20 but because of the loss ECU fell completely out. In '99 if #19 ECU beats TCU in the bowl game ECU finishes top 15 perhaps but instead ends up #26. ECU would have been top 25 for both championship years in '08 & '09 but for heartbreaking losses to SEC teams in the Liberty Bowl. The loss to Arkansas ranks up there next to UCF hailmary & Marshall comeback in the Mobile bowl game as the most heartbreaking losses in program history because we out gained a Ryan Mallett led Hogs team by over 150 yds and missed 3 makable FGs in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime when ECU was also ranked #26 going into that game.

Speaking of the hailmary loss to UCF in '14, ECU also had UC dead to rights but giving up a late long pass by Gunner Kiel in the closing seconds & then a long FG did us in. Those losses ruined a prime opportunity to win the AAC in a year where ECU was the only non-A5 team to be ranked in the initial CFP poll. That season was capped off by losing to Florida by a TD in a bowl game where Carden through an interception in the end zone from the 4 yard line in the closing seconds when ECU out gained the Gators by over 200 yards. After that Lincoln Riley left & it's been a downward spiral of self inflicted injury due to incompetent leadership until here recently.

That's a lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda but it shows how close ECU has been over the years to really making a much stronger impression on a national stage concerning program pedigree. I love the Houston hire and with our schedule I'd actually be surprised if we didn't win at least 6 games this year. I may be a homer but if he can beat the Gamecocks at the Citadel then we should be in good shape. Here's our 2019 schedule:

8/31 - @NCSU
9/7 - Gardner Webb
9/14 - @Navy
9/21 - William & Mary
9/28 - @ODU
10/3 - Temple
10/19 - @UCF
10/26 - USF
11/2 - Cincy
11/9 - @SMU
11/23 - @UConn
11/30 - Tulsa

Looks pretty favorable but how many games does ECU win?

Why are you embarrassed by our lack of top 25 finishes? We have nothing to be ashamed of. Generally speaking we have overachieved on a shoestring budget, no conference for 20 years, and real thin depth, especially on our lines, and the whole non BCS garbage being used against us in recruiting by the terrible two in the triangle. Stand proud, we’ve done alright considering the tide we were swimming against.

(02-07-2019 07:59 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 08:30 AM)Pitt Co Pirates Wrote:  I was in attendance for National Signing day get together in the club level of Dowdy-Fick yesterday. Spoke with numerous coaches.

Mike Houston's staff and of course himself are top notch, very well prepared, and extremely hard working. They remind me of the the staff Skip Holtz brought with him which was top notched as well.

Expect a major change on the field next year in the Pirates program. Year 2 will be drastic.

We've been down sometime and the jokes have been real funny. That will change too.

East Carolina will make this conference better. Our football history is as strong if not stronger than any other member of the AAC.

Just a heads up and beware. Snap your chinstrap when you play the Pirates!!!

Dino Babers said a rebuilding team should have a huge jump somewhere around games 4-6 of season 2. Cuse did but then our QB and others got hurt. It took Cuse till the 3rd year to truly elevate.

I'll watch ECU next Fall and see if they can make a jump midseason.

Good rule of thumb. I looked for that the past 3 years and that turned out to be futile. Resetting the clock.

(02-07-2019 01:36 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  Houston is a good hire, excited for the Pirates. As for the comments about ECU having the strongest history of any team in the American... um... lol. Nevertheless love the hire. I think between Dooley and Houston ECU has two solid coaches in place.

It's gonna give new meaning to the term, "Houston's biggest problem seems to be Houston."

(02-08-2019 06:36 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 09:49 AM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 06:58 AM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 10:33 PM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 01:36 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  Houston is a good hire, excited for the Pirates. As for the comments about ECU having the strongest history of any team in the American... um... lol. Nevertheless love the hire. I think between Dooley and Houston ECU has two solid coaches in place.

I know about UH & SMU's heydays pre C-USA and the high water marks are very impressive. ECU was also no slouch in the 90s and had some good squads in the 70s & a very good team in '83. While UH has obviously shown more in the AAC, ECU arguably was a better program than UH throughout C-USA history and held the edge head-to head as well. See link below to the Biloxi Sun Herald article from a few years ago that ranked the top five football programs in C-USA history as follows:

1) USM
2) Louisville
3) Tulsa
4) UCF
5) ECU

ECU also had a winning record over every team in this conference outside of USF & Navy upon joining.

https://www.sunherald.com/sports/spt-col...70315.html

I think ECU should actually be 3rd on the list because ECU was in the conference longer, consistently had the biggest OOC wins, to go along with the 2 titles ECU also finished 2nd 5 times. Also, ECU won the Liberty Bowl Alliance (precursor to C-USA) both years of it's existence in '94 & '95. Even when UH won the inaugural C-USA title in '96 (before ECU was invited), ECU had a better record and was considered for the Liberty Bowl as an alternative option instead of UH which ultimately helped ECU's efforts in joining C-USA.

14 top 25 finishes to ECU's 2
6 top 10 finishes to ECU's 1
Toss in a heisman and several major bowl wins to boot. UH takes the history battle hands down. Personally I'd place ECU at 6th in the AAC if we're talking history, behind Navy, SMU, UH, UCF, and UC (the latter two because of their recent success). Just to be clear thats not an insult or me trying to knock ECU. This is a good league so to be on the top side of middle of the pack, to me at least, is a good thing. Now if you asked me which programs I feel like have the most upside and potential thats a different story, because that would take into account other factors such as fan support and geography (both of which bolster ECU's upside as a program, imo). Overall there's no reason (other than bad coaching hires) for ECU not to be a consistent winner in this league and I think the Houston hire is a step in the right direction for the Pirates.

I agree that UH has a better history overall. ECU seems to be snake bitten in a lot of respects. ECU should/could have so much more accolades as a program but for what in many cases can only be explained as bad luck. I'm embarrassed about our lack of top 25 finishes but we do have 3 if you count #23 in the coaches poll in '96 after the Liberty Bowl win over Stanford.

There were so many seasons that one wtf game cost us a conference championship or division title. Other than losing to USM on most occasions, a few mind numbing losses to UAB, giving up a 9-point lead to Rice in under 2 minutes one year, & one bad loss to a bad Marshall team in '07 come to mind.

Also, there were a few times where if ECU just wins its bowl game ECU is top 20 but because of the loss ECU fell completely out. In '99 if #19 ECU beats TCU in the bowl game ECU finishes top 15 perhaps but instead ends up #26. ECU would have been top 25 for both championship years in '08 & '09 but for heartbreaking losses to SEC teams in the Liberty Bowl. The loss to Arkansas ranks up there next to UCF hailmary & Marshall comeback in the Mobile bowl game as the most heartbreaking losses in program history because we out gained a Ryan Mallett led Hogs team by over 150 yds and missed 3 makable FGs in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime when ECU was also ranked #26 going into that game.

Speaking of the hailmary loss to UCF in '14, ECU also had UC dead to rights but giving up a late long pass by Gunner Kiel in the closing seconds & then a long FG did us in. Those losses ruined a prime opportunity to win the AAC in a year where ECU was the only non-A5 team to be ranked in the initial CFP poll. That season was capped off by losing to Florida by a TD in a bowl game where Carden through an interception in the end zone from the 4 yard line in the closing seconds when ECU out gained the Gators by over 200 yards. After that Lincoln Riley left & it's been a downward spiral of self inflicted injury due to incompetent leadership until here recently.

That's a lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda but it shows how close ECU has been over the years to really making a much stronger impression on a national stage concerning program pedigree. I love the Houston hire and with our schedule I'd actually be surprised if we didn't win at least 6 games this year. I may be a homer but if he can beat the Gamecocks at the Citadel then we should be in good shape. Here's our 2019 schedule:

8/31 - @NCSU
9/7 - Gardner Webb
9/14 - @Navy
9/21 - William & Mary
9/28 - @ODU
10/3 - Temple
10/19 - @UCF
10/26 - USF
11/2 - Cincy
11/9 - @SMU
11/23 - @UConn
11/30 - Tulsa

Looks pretty favorable but how many games does ECU win?

Why are you embarrassed by our lack of top 25 finishes? We have nothing to be ashamed of. Generally speaking we have overachieved on a shoestring budget, no conference for 20 years, and real thin depth, especially on our lines, and the whole non BCS garbage being used against us in recruiting by the terrible two in the triangle. Stand proud, we’ve done alright considering the tide we were swimming against.

I get your point and respect your opinion but I just prescribe to the notion that obtaining a big time nationally relevant football program at ECU is achievable and that we've squandered a few too many opportunities along the way that could have cemented our status more firmly and been the catalyst that could have sent us on a more upward trajectory a long time ago. I'm very proud of our program but I also hold us to the highest of standards even if that's not exactly fair and even if a lot of it isn't even within our control and even partially due to plain old bad luck at times. That said, we must fight harder to achieve greatness and accepting mediocrity simply due to our intrinsic obstacles isn't how I roll.

(02-08-2019 07:31 PM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 06:36 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 09:49 AM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 06:58 AM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 10:33 PM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  I know about UH & SMU's heydays pre C-USA and the high water marks are very impressive. ECU was also no slouch in the 90s and had some good squads in the 70s & a very good team in '83. While UH has obviously shown more in the AAC, ECU arguably was a better program than UH throughout C-USA history and held the edge head-to head as well. See link below to the Biloxi Sun Herald article from a few years ago that ranked the top five football programs in C-USA history as follows:

1) USM
2) Louisville
3) Tulsa
4) UCF
5) ECU

ECU also had a winning record over every team in this conference outside of USF & Navy upon joining.

https://www.sunherald.com/sports/spt-col...70315.html

I think ECU should actually be 3rd on the list because ECU was in the conference longer, consistently had the biggest OOC wins, to go along with the 2 titles ECU also finished 2nd 5 times. Also, ECU won the Liberty Bowl Alliance (precursor to C-USA) both years of it's existence in '94 & '95. Even when UH won the inaugural C-USA title in '96 (before ECU was invited), ECU had a better record and was considered for the Liberty Bowl as an alternative option instead of UH which ultimately helped ECU's efforts in joining C-USA.

14 top 25 finishes to ECU's 2
6 top 10 finishes to ECU's 1
Toss in a heisman and several major bowl wins to boot. UH takes the history battle hands down. Personally I'd place ECU at 6th in the AAC if we're talking history, behind Navy, SMU, UH, UCF, and UC (the latter two because of their recent success). Just to be clear thats not an insult or me trying to knock ECU. This is a good league so to be on the top side of middle of the pack, to me at least, is a good thing. Now if you asked me which programs I feel like have the most upside and potential thats a different story, because that would take into account other factors such as fan support and geography (both of which bolster ECU's upside as a program, imo). Overall there's no reason (other than bad coaching hires) for ECU not to be a consistent winner in this league and I think the Houston hire is a step in the right direction for the Pirates.

I agree that UH has a better history overall. ECU seems to be snake bitten in a lot of respects. ECU should/could have so much more accolades as a program but for what in many cases can only be explained as bad luck. I'm embarrassed about our lack of top 25 finishes but we do have 3 if you count #23 in the coaches poll in '96 after the Liberty Bowl win over Stanford.

There were so many seasons that one wtf game cost us a conference championship or division title. Other than losing to USM on most occasions, a few mind numbing losses to UAB, giving up a 9-point lead to Rice in under 2 minutes one year, & one bad loss to a bad Marshall team in '07 come to mind.

Also, there were a few times where if ECU just wins its bowl game ECU is top 20 but because of the loss ECU fell completely out. In '99 if #19 ECU beats TCU in the bowl game ECU finishes top 15 perhaps but instead ends up #26. ECU would have been top 25 for both championship years in '08 & '09 but for heartbreaking losses to SEC teams in the Liberty Bowl. The loss to Arkansas ranks up there next to UCF hailmary & Marshall comeback in the Mobile bowl game as the most heartbreaking losses in program history because we out gained a Ryan Mallett led Hogs team by over 150 yds and missed 3 makable FGs in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime when ECU was also ranked #26 going into that game.

Speaking of the hailmary loss to UCF in '14, ECU also had UC dead to rights but giving up a late long pass by Gunner Kiel in the closing seconds & then a long FG did us in. Those losses ruined a prime opportunity to win the AAC in a year where ECU was the only non-A5 team to be ranked in the initial CFP poll. That season was capped off by losing to Florida by a TD in a bowl game where Carden through an interception in the end zone from the 4 yard line in the closing seconds when ECU out gained the Gators by over 200 yards. After that Lincoln Riley left & it's been a downward spiral of self inflicted injury due to incompetent leadership until here recently.

That's a lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda but it shows how close ECU has been over the years to really making a much stronger impression on a national stage concerning program pedigree. I love the Houston hire and with our schedule I'd actually be surprised if we didn't win at least 6 games this year. I may be a homer but if he can beat the Gamecocks at the Citadel then we should be in good shape. Here's our 2019 schedule:

8/31 - @NCSU
9/7 - Gardner Webb
9/14 - @Navy
9/21 - William & Mary
9/28 - @ODU
10/3 - Temple
10/19 - @UCF
10/26 - USF
11/2 - Cincy
11/9 - @SMU
11/23 - @UConn
11/30 - Tulsa

Looks pretty favorable but how many games does ECU win?

Why are you embarrassed by our lack of top 25 finishes? We have nothing to be ashamed of. Generally speaking we have overachieved on a shoestring budget, no conference for 20 years, and real thin depth, especially on our lines, and the whole non BCS garbage being used against us in recruiting by the terrible two in the triangle. Stand proud, we’ve done alright considering the tide we were swimming against.

I get your point and respect your opinion but I just prescribe to the notion that obtaining a big time nationally relevant football program at ECU is achievable and that we've squandered a few too many opportunities along the way that could have cemented our status more firmly and been the catalyst that could have sent us on a more upward trajectory a long time ago. I'm very proud of our program but I also hold us to the highest of standards even if that's not exactly fair and even if a lot of it isn't even within our control and even partially due to plain old bad luck at times. That said, we must fight harder to achieve greatness and accepting mediocrity simply due to our intrinsic obstacles isn't how I roll.

Well I never said anything about accepting mediocrity. Not in my DNA as a Pirate. Just being honest about the situation I've witnessed, and helped finance, over the past 30 years.

(02-07-2019 08:30 AM)Pitt Co Pirates Wrote:  I was in attendance for National Signing day get together in the club level of Dowdy-Fick yesterday. Spoke with numerous coaches.

Mike Houston's staff and of course himself are top notch, very well prepared, and extremely hard working. They remind me of the the staff Skip Holtz brought with him which was top notched as well.

Expect a major change on the field next year in the Pirates program. Year 2 will be drastic.

We've been down sometime and the jokes have been real funny. That will change too.

East Carolina will make this conference better. Our football history is as strong if not stronger than any other member of the AAC.

Just a heads up and beware. Snap your chinstrap when you play the Pirates!!!

(02-07-2019 09:11 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  I prefer the ECU that we beat 56-6... but that's just me.

Ha ha! I bet you do.

(02-08-2019 08:38 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 07:31 PM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 06:36 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 09:49 AM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 06:58 AM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  14 top 25 finishes to ECU's 2
6 top 10 finishes to ECU's 1
Toss in a heisman and several major bowl wins to boot. UH takes the history battle hands down. Personally I'd place ECU at 6th in the AAC if we're talking history, behind Navy, SMU, UH, UCF, and UC (the latter two because of their recent success). Just to be clear thats not an insult or me trying to knock ECU. This is a good league so to be on the top side of middle of the pack, to me at least, is a good thing. Now if you asked me which programs I feel like have the most upside and potential thats a different story, because that would take into account other factors such as fan support and geography (both of which bolster ECU's upside as a program, imo). Overall there's no reason (other than bad coaching hires) for ECU not to be a consistent winner in this league and I think the Houston hire is a step in the right direction for the Pirates.

I agree that UH has a better history overall. ECU seems to be snake bitten in a lot of respects. ECU should/could have so much more accolades as a program but for what in many cases can only be explained as bad luck. I'm embarrassed about our lack of top 25 finishes but we do have 3 if you count #23 in the coaches poll in '96 after the Liberty Bowl win over Stanford.

There were so many seasons that one wtf game cost us a conference championship or division title. Other than losing to USM on most occasions, a few mind numbing losses to UAB, giving up a 9-point lead to Rice in under 2 minutes one year, & one bad loss to a bad Marshall team in '07 come to mind.

Also, there were a few times where if ECU just wins its bowl game ECU is top 20 but because of the loss ECU fell completely out. In '99 if #19 ECU beats TCU in the bowl game ECU finishes top 15 perhaps but instead ends up #26. ECU would have been top 25 for both championship years in '08 & '09 but for heartbreaking losses to SEC teams in the Liberty Bowl. The loss to Arkansas ranks up there next to UCF hailmary & Marshall comeback in the Mobile bowl game as the most heartbreaking losses in program history because we out gained a Ryan Mallett led Hogs team by over 150 yds and missed 3 makable FGs in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime when ECU was also ranked #26 going into that game.

Speaking of the hailmary loss to UCF in '14, ECU also had UC dead to rights but giving up a late long pass by Gunner Kiel in the closing seconds & then a long FG did us in. Those losses ruined a prime opportunity to win the AAC in a year where ECU was the only non-A5 team to be ranked in the initial CFP poll. That season was capped off by losing to Florida by a TD in a bowl game where Carden through an interception in the end zone from the 4 yard line in the closing seconds when ECU out gained the Gators by over 200 yards. After that Lincoln Riley left & it's been a downward spiral of self inflicted injury due to incompetent leadership until here recently.

That's a lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda but it shows how close ECU has been over the years to really making a much stronger impression on a national stage concerning program pedigree. I love the Houston hire and with our schedule I'd actually be surprised if we didn't win at least 6 games this year. I may be a homer but if he can beat the Gamecocks at the Citadel then we should be in good shape. Here's our 2019 schedule:

8/31 - @NCSU
9/7 - Gardner Webb
9/14 - @Navy
9/21 - William & Mary
9/28 - @ODU
10/3 - Temple
10/19 - @UCF
10/26 - USF
11/2 - Cincy
11/9 - @SMU
11/23 - @UConn
11/30 - Tulsa

Looks pretty favorable but how many games does ECU win?

Why are you embarrassed by our lack of top 25 finishes? We have nothing to be ashamed of. Generally speaking we have overachieved on a shoestring budget, no conference for 20 years, and real thin depth, especially on our lines, and the whole non BCS garbage being used against us in recruiting by the terrible two in the triangle. Stand proud, we’ve done alright considering the tide we were swimming against.

I get your point and respect your opinion but I just prescribe to the notion that obtaining a big time nationally relevant football program at ECU is achievable and that we've squandered a few too many opportunities along the way that could have cemented our status more firmly and been the catalyst that could have sent us on a more upward trajectory a long time ago. I'm very proud of our program but I also hold us to the highest of standards even if that's not exactly fair and even if a lot of it isn't even within our control and even partially due to plain old bad luck at times. That said, we must fight harder to achieve greatness and accepting mediocrity simply due to our intrinsic obstacles isn't how I roll.

Well I never said anything about accepting mediocrity. Not in my DNA as a Pirate. Just being honest about the situation I've witnessed, and helped finance, over the past 30 years.

Fair enough. I may be a bit delusional in part because I was 12 years old when we finished #9 in the nation and it really captured my imagination riding home from Atlanta, GA that day. My expectations were forever thwarted. ECU football has given me many highs and lows since then but I never thought that I would have to wait so long for an analogous season and this most recent depression is an abyss that I never thought I'd have to confront. Contemporaneously, this suffering has coincided with our peers (UH & UCF) reaching the very threshold that we covet to return to.

Again, I acknowledge that I may be a bit delusional but if I am, at least it's delusions of grandeur. Is it hope and pride that might make me refrain from grasping the reality of the situation and the totality of the circumstances, perhaps? Excess hope and pride can actually breed unwarranted embarrassment at times. However, I really believe that we can be the powerhouse program here in NC and consistently make noise on a national level. My hope, like all ECU fans, is that coach Houston will get us there.

(02-07-2019 01:36 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  Houston is a good hire, excited for the Pirates. As for the comments about ECU having the strongest history of any team in the American... um... lol. Nevertheless love the hire. I think between Dooley and Houston ECU has two solid coaches in place.

Do not forget our baseball ....pre-season #14 and picked to win AAC

One thing we do have is some of the most idiotic fans in the conference. We have been one of the worst teams in college football over the past 3 years. **** the F up and lets get back to finding a winning season before running your mouth. i am very excited about the future but don't think we turn it around in year 1.
What I do feel very confident about is that Houston is a winner and will get ECU competitive again.

(02-08-2019 06:48 PM)ultraviolet Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 07:59 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 08:30 AM)Pitt Co Pirates Wrote:  I was in attendance for National Signing day get together in the club level of Dowdy-Fick yesterday. Spoke with numerous coaches.

Mike Houston's staff and of course himself are top notch, very well prepared, and extremely hard working. They remind me of the the staff Skip Holtz brought with him which was top notched as well.

Expect a major change on the field next year in the Pirates program. Year 2 will be drastic.

We've been down sometime and the jokes have been real funny. That will change too.

East Carolina will make this conference better. Our football history is as strong if not stronger than any other member of the AAC.

Just a heads up and beware. Snap your chinstrap when you play the Pirates!!!

Dino Babers said a rebuilding team should have a huge jump somewhere around games 4-6 of season 2. Cuse did but then our QB and others got hurt. It took Cuse till the 3rd year to truly elevate.

I'll watch ECU next Fall and see if they can make a jump midseason.

Good rule of thumb. I looked for that the past 3 years and that turned out to be futile. Resetting the clock.

And it would be real advantageous in '19 with the Twins and Cincy in weeks 7-9 on ECU's schedule. Generally you get signs in year two of a jump in performance but your mileage may vary.

Compare Syracuse and Rutgers. Both coaches were hired the same season with similar rebuilds. I think you can make pretty good case that Dino Babers is the real deal and Chris Ash will eventually be fired. By three years the pattern is usually set. Of course there are exceptions but three years is a good point to revaluate a staff.

ECU will go 7-5

GWU
W&M
ODU
UCONN
Tulsa
Navy
SMU

The rest of the games are also very winnable aside from Cincinnati.

The outside viewer doesn’t realize how much talent is already in place and has been squandered over the past 3 seasons. Scotty Montgomery took a team that Ruffin McNeill won 5 games with a 4th string QB, took the same team with one of the best QBs in the country in Phillip Nelson and won 3 games.

(02-07-2019 07:39 PM)Pitt Co Pirates Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 03:00 PM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 01:42 PM)GrayBeard Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 08:30 AM)Pitt Co Pirates Wrote:  ...words about ECU.... Our football history is as strong if not stronger than any other member of the AAC.
....more words...

I hate statements like this because it simply is not true. If you want to talk history I would say that our history isn't close to the total history of UH, SMU, Navy, and possibly Tulane. I'm not trying to slight anyone else that I may have missed, and I'm not certain about Tulane, but I seem to remember that they may have been crazy good in ancient times. And short term history, you can't dispute UCF's success.

ECU has a proud history, and we have had a great football culture, and I look forward to our new coach and what he should be able to accomplish, but our history is not on the same level as several of the schools in the conference.

Thanks for that post Gray Beard. You saved me from typing up a post about 711 wins (24th all time), Heisman winners, 1926 National Championship, and Rose-Cotton-Sugar-Orange Bowls. It would have sounded like bragging.

First note that I said strong as, not stronger, or longer. I was not saying we were better than anyone's respective school. I'm extremely proud of our football history at East Carolina especially considering some disadvantages we had to overcome politically, geographically, and financially. A lot of institutions and leadership would have wilted at the challenges East Carolina has faced. I appreciate our conference membership and really enjoy the conference, but I do refuse to take a back seat to anybody. That's just not a part of Pirate DNA!!!!

I completely understand and respect your point of view. That's how it should be.

(02-09-2019 10:13 AM)DowdyPirate Wrote:  ECU will go 7-5

GWU
W&M
ODU
UCONN
Tulsa
Navy
SMU

The rest of the games are also very winnable aside from Cincinnati.

The outside viewer doesn’t realize how much talent is already in place and has been squandered over the past 3 seasons. Scotty Montgomery took a team that Ruffin McNeill won 5 games with a 4th string QB, took the same team with one of the best QBs in the country in Phillip Nelson and won 3 games.

Hat's off to you for not listing Temple like everyone else. They've had our number for years, but people keep adding them on our preseason expected win lists every year.

Don't really agree on Cincinnati. It's been night and day in home vs. away games against them. Even the home loses have been ridiculously close. To me, Cincy at home is a toss-up at worst.

Tulsa and SMU are the toss-ups for me as well. Memphis surprised us when we played them for the first time after a few years off. We had beaten them about 7 times in a row, but they seized the opportunity to get better in the new-ish conference, and it showed.

Next year will be interesting. I'd be happy enough with 5 wins (even with two FCS teams) in Houston's first year. We've been fielding borderline FBS-level play the last 3 years, and have a loooong way to go. Would just like to see less games where we look completely not competitive.

(02-08-2019 09:14 PM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 08:38 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 07:31 PM)B easy Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 06:36 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(02-08-2019 09:49 AM)B easy Wrote:  I agree that UH has a better history overall. ECU seems to be snake bitten in a lot of respects. ECU should/could have so much more accolades as a program but for what in many cases can only be explained as bad luck. I'm embarrassed about our lack of top 25 finishes but we do have 3 if you count #23 in the coaches poll in '96 after the Liberty Bowl win over Stanford.

There were so many seasons that one wtf game cost us a conference championship or division title. Other than losing to USM on most occasions, a few mind numbing losses to UAB, giving up a 9-point lead to Rice in under 2 minutes one year, & one bad loss to a bad Marshall team in '07 come to mind.

Also, there were a few times where if ECU just wins its bowl game ECU is top 20 but because of the loss ECU fell completely out. In '99 if #19 ECU beats TCU in the bowl game ECU finishes top 15 perhaps but instead ends up #26. ECU would have been top 25 for both championship years in '08 & '09 but for heartbreaking losses to SEC teams in the Liberty Bowl. The loss to Arkansas ranks up there next to UCF hailmary & Marshall comeback in the Mobile bowl game as the most heartbreaking losses in program history because we out gained a Ryan Mallett led Hogs team by over 150 yds and missed 3 makable FGs in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime when ECU was also ranked #26 going into that game.

Speaking of the hailmary loss to UCF in '14, ECU also had UC dead to rights but giving up a late long pass by Gunner Kiel in the closing seconds & then a long FG did us in. Those losses ruined a prime opportunity to win the AAC in a year where ECU was the only non-A5 team to be ranked in the initial CFP poll. That season was capped off by losing to Florida by a TD in a bowl game where Carden through an interception in the end zone from the 4 yard line in the closing seconds when ECU out gained the Gators by over 200 yards. After that Lincoln Riley left & it's been a downward spiral of self inflicted injury due to incompetent leadership until here recently.

That's a lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda but it shows how close ECU has been over the years to really making a much stronger impression on a national stage concerning program pedigree. I love the Houston hire and with our schedule I'd actually be surprised if we didn't win at least 6 games this year. I may be a homer but if he can beat the Gamecocks at the Citadel then we should be in good shape. Here's our 2019 schedule:

8/31 - @NCSU
9/7 - Gardner Webb
9/14 - @Navy
9/21 - William & Mary
9/28 - @ODU
10/3 - Temple
10/19 - @UCF
10/26 - USF
11/2 - Cincy
11/9 - @SMU
11/23 - @UConn
11/30 - Tulsa

Looks pretty favorable but how many games does ECU win?

Why are you embarrassed by our lack of top 25 finishes? We have nothing to be ashamed of. Generally speaking we have overachieved on a shoestring budget, no conference for 20 years, and real thin depth, especially on our lines, and the whole non BCS garbage being used against us in recruiting by the terrible two in the triangle. Stand proud, we’ve done alright considering the tide we were swimming against.

I get your point and respect your opinion but I just prescribe to the notion that obtaining a big time nationally relevant football program at ECU is achievable and that we've squandered a few too many opportunities along the way that could have cemented our status more firmly and been the catalyst that could have sent us on a more upward trajectory a long time ago. I'm very proud of our program but I also hold us to the highest of standards even if that's not exactly fair and even if a lot of it isn't even within our control and even partially due to plain old bad luck at times. That said, we must fight harder to achieve greatness and accepting mediocrity simply due to our intrinsic obstacles isn't how I roll.

Well I never said anything about accepting mediocrity. Not in my DNA as a Pirate. Just being honest about the situation I've witnessed, and helped finance, over the past 30 years.

Fair enough. I may be a bit delusional in part because I was 12 years old when we finished #9 in the nation and it really captured my imagination riding home from Atlanta, GA that day. My expectations were forever thwarted. ECU football has given me many highs and lows since then but I never thought that I would have to wait so long for an analogous season and this most recent depression is an abyss that I never thought I'd have to confront. Contemporaneously, this suffering has coincided with our peers (UH & UCF) reaching the very threshold that we covet to return to.

Again, I acknowledge that I may be a bit delusional but if I am, at least it's delusions of grandeur. Is it hope and pride that might make me refrain from grasping the reality of the situation and the totality of the circumstances, perhaps? Excess hope and pride can actually breed unwarranted embarrassment at times. However, I really believe that we can be the powerhouse program here in NC and consistently make noise on a national level. My hope, like all ECU fans, is that coach Houston will get us there.

Well said my friend. We're in a better situation that we've ever been for that to happen.

(02-09-2019 11:07 AM)Crowleys Ridge Tiger Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 07:39 PM)Pitt Co Pirates Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 03:00 PM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 01:42 PM)GrayBeard Wrote:  

(02-07-2019 08:30 AM)Pitt Co Pirates Wrote:  ...words about ECU.... Our football history is as strong if not stronger than any other member of the AAC.
....more words...

I hate statements like this because it simply is not true. If you want to talk history I would say that our history isn't close to the total history of UH, SMU, Navy, and possibly Tulane. I'm not trying to slight anyone else that I may have missed, and I'm not certain about Tulane, but I seem to remember that they may have been crazy good in ancient times. And short term history, you can't dispute UCF's success.

ECU has a proud history, and we have had a great football culture, and I look forward to our new coach and what he should be able to accomplish, but our history is not on the same level as several of the schools in the conference.

Thanks for that post Gray Beard. You saved me from typing up a post about 711 wins (24th all time), Heisman winners, 1926 National Championship, and Rose-Cotton-Sugar-Orange Bowls. It would have sounded like bragging.

First note that I said strong as, not stronger, or longer. I was not saying we were better than anyone's respective school. I'm extremely proud of our football history at East Carolina especially considering some disadvantages we had to overcome politically, geographically, and financially. A lot of institutions and leadership would have wilted at the challenges East Carolina has faced. I appreciate our conference membership and really enjoy the conference, but I do refuse to take a back seat to anybody. That's just not a part of Pirate DNA!!!!

I completely understand and respect your point of view. That's how it should be.

Likewise and thank you sir!!!

Entertaining read for a Sunday morning. Never apologize for being a proud pirate fan!

We came in this conference with a winning record over most of the teams and then we had a few tough years. Oh . Maybe not as many top 25 finishes but have consistently had the toughest schedules.

That said, recognizing the fact that other schools in this conference have some great history doesn't take away the love I have for my pirates. Not a zero sum game here.