East Carolina Head Coach Search: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Position

East Carolina continues its search for a head coach to replace Ruffin McNeill, who was fired last week after a 5-7 season.

Continue for updates.

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Montgomery Emerges as ECU Front-Runner

Saturday, Dec. 12 

Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman reported Duke offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery is set to become the head coach at East Carolina. 

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Three Candidates Interview for ECU Job

Friday, Dec. 11

ECU has reportedly interviewed James Madison head coach Everett Withers, former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke and former Virginia Tech assistant Shane Beamer for their current opening, according to Feldman on Thursday, who also indicated that the team hopes to have its hire by Sunday.

On Friday, ESPN's Brett McMurphy reported that Hoke will interview again on Saturday and has emerged as a "leading candidate."

Feldman also wrote that the team is interested in North Carolina defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, the former Auburn head coach who guided the Tigers to the national title in 2010.

McMurphy indicated Thursday that the school also interviewed yet another in-state candidate:

McNeill was let go after six years and just two seasons removed from guiding the Pirates to a 10-3 record—the best in program history. He issued a thankful statement following his firing via Twitter:

McNeill reportedly turned down an extension prior to the 2015 season, according to Pirate Radio 1250 & 930 AM, that may have contributed to the tensions that led to his firing:

Given the list of interviewees, other than Hoke, the school seems to be going in a local direction. For a mid-major school, ECU has the resources and commitment to consistently field winning teams, making it one of the ideal jobs among non-Power Five programs.