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Less than two weeks after coming up short on the Texas Tech job, longtime assistant coach Ruffin McNeill has been hired to lead his alma mater -- East Carolina -- the school confirmed Friday.McNeill, 51, was introduced Friday morning as the Pirates' new head football coach.
"There is no doubt about his ability to lead ECU Football to new heights and his determination to guarantee that happens under his watch," ECU athletic director Terry Holland said in released statement. "He intends to bring new and exciting offensive schemes to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, combined with an aggressive defense that will be designed to get the ball back in the offense's hands."
McNeill, the Red Raiders' defensive coordinator the last four seasons, will certainly have a tough act to follow at East Carolina. He takes over for Skip Holtz, who had five successful seasons at ECU, leading the Pirates to four bowl appearances and two Conference-USA titles. Holtz left to take over at South Florida.
Holland believes McNeill, who was a four-year letterman as a defensive back for the Pirates in the 1970s, is more than up to the job. That was definitely the impression the personable McNeill left during the interview process.
"Coach McNeill's interview revealed his strong commitment to doing things the right way and his love of coaching young men to grow in every part of their lives." Holland said. "His excitement for what ECU Football can become in the future was contagious and his deep and abiding appreciation for what East Carolina University has meant to him and his family was truly moving."
McNeill comes to ECU after a turbulent month at Texas Tech, where head coach Mike Leach was fired last month for allegedly mistreating wide receiver Adam James while the Red Raiders were preparing for the Alamo Bowl. McNeill, a favorite among the players and coaching staff, was named as the interim coach.
The 24-year coaching veteran became a viable candidate to replace Leach after leading the Raiders to a 41-31 win over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl. After going through the interview process, Tech went with former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, who did not elect to keep McNeill on his staff last week.
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