College Football Head Coach Suddenly Fired Midseason After Loss To Ranked Team

Per a statement Sunday morning by Eastern Carolina athletic director Jon Gilbert, the school has fired head coach Mike Houston after a 3-4 start to the 2024 season.

“After a comprehensive evaluation of our football program, I informed Mike Houston this morning that we are making a change in leadership,” said Gilbert. “This was a very difficult decision. Mike has led our program the last five plus seasons with tremendous class and has positively impacted so many student-athletes. After earning back-to-back bowl invitations, we looked poised for continued success. Unfortunately, we have not seen the results we all want, and a change is needed to move the program forward. We have high expectations and those are not changing. ”

ECU is naming defensive coordinator Blake Harrell as the team’s interim coach while the Pirates search for a permanent head coach. Harrell has been ECU’s defensive coordinator since the 2020 season.

A postseason berth is on the line for Eastern Carolina

Per the statement, ECU is hoping to stay competitive for a bowl bid this season.

“Right now, we are focusing on our student-athletes as they compete for a postseason opportunity in the final five regular season games,” Gilbert said. “My hope is Pirate Nation will rally around our student-athletes like they have always done.”

Houston compiled a 27-38 record during his six seasons at ECU, leading the school to a win over Coastal Carolina in the 2022 Birmingham Bowl. Houston’s program struggled after the 2022 season.

The Pirates went 2-10 for the 2023 season.  ECU’s last win came against UTSA on Sept. 28. The team dropped two straight games by a combined score of 100-52. ECU was blown out by No. 23 Army 45-28 on Saturday.