FOUR FRONTRUNNERS EMERGE FOR PIRATE COACHING GIG The Daily Reflector By Nathan Summers An East Carolina official said Wednesday there were three or four prime targets to become the next ECU head football coach. Two days after Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill removed his name from consideration to become the replacement for Skip Holtz, ECU athletic director Terry Holland was back at the drawing board, and was reportedly involved in the interviewing process. A source close to the coaching search told The Reflector Wednesday evening that Mike Shula, quarterbacks coach for the NFL s Jacksonville Jaguars and former Alabama coach, was a lead candidate. Liberty coach Danny Rocco was also at the front of the pack, but the coach on Wednesday finalized a contract extension that will keep him with the Flames through the 2014 season, a Lynchburg, Va., source confirmed to The Reflector, eliminating Rocco from contention. The Liberty coach was contacted but not interviewed by Holland. Other leading candidates who were reportedly poised to interview with Holland as of Wednesday night are Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, former Texas Tech defensive coordinator and ECU alum Ruffin McNeill and ECU cooffensive coordinator/offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler. Two sources in Oklahoma indicated Wilson would be very interested in the ECU job if offered. Holland will reportedly conduct at least three interviews before a hire is made to replace Holtz, who left ECU last week to become the new head coach at the University of South Florida. Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson was thought to be a candidate, but sources close to the BGSU football program stated Clawson was not contacted and was in attendance at the Falcons men s basketball game Tuesday night. Also, the publicist for North Alabama and former Auburn coach Terry Bowden said Wednesday he had not been contacted regarding the Pirates job. On Tuesday morning, Stockstill announced he was removing his name from consideration for the ECU opening and staying at MTSU. Until then, he was the only candidate believed to be interviewed for the job since Holtz announced last Thursday afternoon he was taking the USF position. Other possible candidates include Grambling head coach Rob Broadway, Temple head coach Al Golden, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, former Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden, former Boston College head coach and ECU staffer Jeff Jagodzinski and Navy defensive coordinator and Charlotte native Buddy Green.
NAME GAME NARROWS Bonesville.net By Denny O'Brien As the search to find a replacement for departed East Carolina football coach Skip Holtz continued Wednesday, the frontrunner for the position was not clear. But the list is beginning to narrow. Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson indicated an interest in the job when the search process began, and ECU athletics director Terry Holland contacted him Tuesday. Multiple sources stated that Wilson was interviewed Wednesday. Wilson is originally from Maiden, NC, and has led the Sooners offense since 2002. Before arriving at Oklahoma, Wilson coordinated the offenses at Northwestern (1999-2001) and Miami (OH) (1992-98). Another top assistant contacted by ECU is former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, a former Pirates player. McNeill served as the interim head coach for the Red Raiders after the dismissal of Mike Leach, leading them to an Alamo Bowl victory over Michigan State. McNeill was slated to interview with East Carolina late Wednesday night or today, according to a Wednesday afternoon report in the Fayetteville Observer. A Lumberton native, McNeill reportedly was considered for the Texas Tech opening that ultimately was awarded to Tommy Tubberville. East Carolina co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler has also interviewed for the position. He is the only member from Holtz s staff who is considered a candidate for the job. Shankweiler has served on the ECU staff under three different head coaches. A new name that emerged in the search was Jacksonville Jaguars quarterbacks coach and former Alabama head coach Mike Shula. Citing a source close to Shula, WTIB-FM 94.3 reported Wednesday morning that ECU did call to make an inquiry about his interest. It isn t completely clear how interested Shula is in the opening. A source close to Liberty coach Danny Rocco indicated that East Carolina had not interviewed the former New York Jets and University of Virginia assistant as of Wednesday afternoon and that there was no interview scheduled at the time. Rocco had expressed an interest in the opening, but he is not considered a candidate for the job. Various web sites reported Wednesday that ECU had offered the job to current Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson. Those reports were false according to the Bowling Green media relations department. ECU has been without a head coach since Holtz left last Thursday to take the South Florida opening. Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill was the focus of the ECU search early, but he decided Tuesday to stay with the Blue Raiders.
HOLLAND WEIGHING DIVERSE SCENARIOS Bonesville.net By Al Myatt Remember the reassuring remarks of former East Carolina football coach Skip Holtz as the Pirates prepared to face Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl? Holtz had been linked the several job openings at BCS conference programs and here's what he had to say: "I'm going to start with the entire rumor mill that has been run around the past three weeks," Holtz said. "I continue to say that I don't have an agent. I'm not looking for a job. I have not applied for a job. I have not called for a job. I have not had anybody call on my behalf for a job. I am very content with the one I have here in Greenville. I enjoy and like it here. I am not out trying to pedal the streets. "I think it's an honor when people start throwing your name around for these different jobs. It shows people are taking notice to what we're doing in Greenville. "I'm very fortunate to work with people like Chancellor [Steve] Ballard, Terry Holland and the entire administration. I feel very blessed. "I did have an opportunity to talk to some people who called during the past few weeks. "After sitting down, looking at everything and weighing our options, Jennifer and I have decided that Greenville is the best place for us to be. We have made the decision to be here. I'm not looking back. Right now everything we're doing is getting ready for Arkansas and this Liberty Bowl." Those comments were made on Friday, Dec. 18. Holtz was probably seeking to minimize distractions to his team's focus before the bowl game. They now serve as a reminder that actions speak much louder than words where coaches and potential job openings are concerned. Holtz had shown loyalty to ECU up until South Florida developed an interest in him after Jim Leavitt was dismissed. The attraction of the Bulls is understandable more money, a BCS conference affiliation and the proximity of his children's grandparents. He probably turned down Syracuse after winning the Conference USA championship in 2008, but when it comes to courting coaches, it's seldom clear who rejected whom. There's no question that Holtz was good for ECU. He took over a program that had gone 3-20 the two preceding seasons. Athletic director Terry Holland saw the support of the fan base dwindling during the John Thompson regime and felt that a change had to be made. Credit Holland for recognizing Holtz's potential. The ECU AD said he could see a twinkle in Holtz's eyes as they toured the Murphy Center. Maybe Holland is looking for such a sign as he deals with the current selection process. Figuring out what's going on with Holland at the moment is a little bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle in the dark. Perhaps there are a few clues. No interim coach has been named. Holland essentially said last Friday that he wanted to take enough time to find the right person and discussed the possibility of naming an interim coach. The requirements on the temp
would be that they would come from the ranks of the remaining staff with the stipulation that the interim coach would not be considered a candidate for the head coaching position. Offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler, running backs coach Junior Smith, tight ends coach Phil Petty and wide receivers coach Donnie Kirkpatrick remain on the Pirates staff. They are attempting to hold the fort on the recruiting front. Shankweiler would seem to be the most likely to handle business on an interim basis, but since no interim coach has been named, perhaps the veteran ECU assistant has asked to be considered for the head job. Holtz has promoted from within before, making Mack McCarthy head basketball coach after a stint as an ECU assistant and an interim head coach. The timing with McCarthy was different though because the position became vacant closer to the start of the season. Or maybe Holland felt that the Pirates' head coaching position would be filled fast enough that an interim coach wouldn't be necessary. Former ECU offensive coordinator Rick Stockstill appeared to be the replacement du jour earlier this week but may not actually have been offered the position. It's difficult to understand why Stockstill wouldn't leave Middle Tennessee for Greenville. He was on Thompson's staff at the all time low ebb for the program in the major college era and the negativity of that experience may have been a factor in his evaluation. Some referred to Stockstill's offense during that 1-11 season as "Standstill" although it did produce a 1,000-plus yard rusher, Marvin Townes. Stockstill may have encountered problems in terms of staff. If Shankweiler, Smith, Petty and Kirkpatrick are to be retained, he may not have liked that. Maybe he wanted the freedom to bring aboard an entire staff and that's understandable. In my dealings with Stockstill in 2003, I didn't perceive him to be the inspirational type of leader that the program needs. Maybe Holland sensed that, too. Pirate coaches like Pat Dye and Holtz have had a knack for uniting the fan base. That helps season ticket sales, fund raising and spreads the esprit de corps. The timing of Holtz's departure was unfortunate because it probably eliminated the best and most logical in-house successor, former defensive coordinator Greg Hudson. With an opportunity to join Jimbo Fisher's new staff at Florida State and the belief that he was locked in for the foreseeable future at ECU, Hudson left for Tallahassee. Perhaps Holland will go for the son of a famous father again. Terry Bowden and Mike Shula have emerged on some lists regarding the ECU job although the list that Holland has is the only one that really matters. Danny Rocco, who has made strides with the program at Liberty, is reportedly interested. There has been speculation about Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson as well as Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. Ruffin McNeill has or will get an interview, according to Sammy Batten of The Fayetteville Observer. McNeill was a defensive back for ECU from 1976 to 1979. He did well as interim coach for Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl and gave a program beset by controversy some temporary dignity. McNeill, an African American, gambled in the late stages of the bowl win over Michigan State and the Red Raiders delivered. Holland has hired a minority before, giving Ricky Stokes the basketball job after the 2004-05 season. Purple is really the only color that matters when looking for the best man for the job. The remaining assistants have been on the offensive side of the ball, which would give McNeill some flexibility in hiring the defensive personnel. If McNeill were to get the job, maybe he could give Steve Logan a call and ask if he's happy as running
backs coach with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Logan might be a natural as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with his former Boston College pupil Dominique Davis scheduled to join the Pirates as a transfer. Although ECU is regarded by some as a stepping stone position, this is the first time since Bill Lewis left for Georgia Tech after the 1991 season that the Pirates must replace a head coach who has departed for another program. A dysfunctional search committee hired Thompson after Logan was dismissed following the 2002 season. Holland picked a winner after terminating Thompson and is obviously working diligently to do it again. For now, it's hard to put the puzzle pieces together. Maybe Holland will turn the light on soon.
SEARCH GOES ON FOR ECU Holland, staff still looking to replace Holtz Sun-Journal David Hall GREENVILLE Another day came and went Wednesday without any official developments in East Carolina s search for a new football coach. A day after Middle Tennessee State coach Rick Stockstill formally removed his name from the list of candidates to replace Skip Holtz, rumors abounded regarding the possible pursuit of several coaches. Officially, though, Pirates athletics director Terry Holland continued the search away from the public eye. As far as I know, there s been nothing new to report, ECU athletic department spokesman Tom McClellan said late Wednesday afternoon, adding that Holland and associate ADs Jimmy Bass and Nick Floyd spent the day sequestered as they spoke with possible candidates. We re all remaining on standby mode. Stockstill, an ECU assistant under John Thompson in 2003, cited the timing of the opening when he renounced his candidacy in a Tuesday press release. Less than three weeks before National Signing Day, Holtz left ECU after five seasons last Thursday to become the head coach at South Florida. Speculative media and Internet reports with varying degrees of credibility have listed as candidates former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach, former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski, former Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden and current head coaches Al Golden of Temple, Danny Rocco of Liberty, Dave Clawson of Bowling Green and Rod Broadway of Grambling, among others. Leach remains tangled in a lawsuit over his firing from Texas Tech for alleged abuse of a player, and Rocco signed a two-year contract extension at Liberty on Wednesday. Holland, who laid out his criteria for a new coach a day after Holtz s sudden resignation, is not addressing specific candidates publicly as the search continues. With signing day looming on Feb. 3, it is likely that Holland would prefer to announce a hire in the coming days.
LUMBERTON'S MCNEILL TO INTERVIEW FOR ECU FOOTBALL JOB Fayetteville Observer By Sammy Batten Ruffin McNeill is coming home. The only question is it for a visit or to stay? The Lumberton native and former East Carolina defensive back flew to his home state Wednesday evening from Lubbock, Texas, to interview for the head coach vacancy at his college alma mater. It was not known if the interview took place last night or if McNeill and ECU athletic director Terry Holland would talk today. But McNeill was scheduled to arrive at Raleigh-Durham International Airport about 8 p.m. Wednesday and travel by car to Greenville, according to a source close to the situation. Holland is seeking a replacement for Skip Holtz, who left for a job at South Florida last week after coaching the Pirates to 38 victories and consecutive Conference USA titles in five seasons. He first offered the job to Middle Tennessee's Rick Stockstill, but the former Florida State quarterback turned down the offer Monday morning. A source told the Observer that Holland had previously contacted McNeill about interviewing for the job. But at that time an offer was on the table to Stockstill, although Holland wasn't sure he would accept it. McNeill chose not to fly across country for an interview at that time with an offer out to another coach. But that changed when Stockstill removed his name from consideration. "Coach Holland got back in touch with Ruffin and he's on his way to Greenville,'' the source said Wednesday. McNeill has spent the past 10 seasons as an assistant at Texas Tech, serving the last 2 1/2as defensive coordinator. He was thrust into the national limelight earlier this month when he was promoted to interim head coach in the wake of Mike Leach's controversial firing over allegations he abused a player. The 51-year-old was the figure that the Texas Tech players rallied around amid the controversy. The team responded to McNeill's leadership by pulling out a 41-31 victory at the Valero Alamo Bowl over Michigan State on Jan. 2. McNeill was so well liked by the Tech players that many came out after the bowl game in support of him to become the program's new head coach. The job went to Tommy Tuberville, who didn't retain McNeill for his new staff. But McNeill was such a popular figure at Texas Tech that the school's chancellor offered him a position as an assistant athletic director last week. Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh had McNeill travel to Palo Alto, Calif., last week to interview for a job on his staff. He was also being looked at as a candidate for positions at Oklahoma and Tennessee, a source said. McNeill's coaching career began at Lumberton High School, where he worked from 1980-84. He moved to the college ranks, where he was a graduate assistant at Clemson under Danny Ford, in 1985-86. Over the next 23 years, McNeill would work at Austin Peay, North Alabama, Appalachian State, ECU (as defensive line coach in 1992), UNLV, Fresno State and Texas Tech.
TEXAS TECH S MCNEILL TO BECOME ECU S COACH Sun-Journal David Hall GREENVILLE Former Texas Tech assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will be introduced as East Carolina s 20th head football coach today during an 11 a.m. press conference. McNeill, a 51-year-old Lumberton native and former Pirates player and assistant, was hired Thursday to replace Skip Holtz, who left ECU last week after five seasons to become the head coach at South Florida. ECU athletics director Terry Holland said McNeill s interview revealed a commitment to doing things the right way and a love for coaching players to grow in every facet of their lives. There is no doubt about his ability to lead ECU football to new heights and his determination to guarantee that happens under his watch, Holland said in a statement issued by the school. 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 spent 10 seasons at Texas Tech and the last two as its defensive coordinator, serving as interim head coach during the Red Raiders win over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl this month after Mike Leach was suspended for alleged abuse of a player. Leach was later fired. Among the stops during McNeill s coaching career, all of which have been as an assistant, are Fresno State, UNLV, Appalachian State, North Alabama and Austin Peay State. McNeill was ECU s defensive line coach in 1992, 12 years after graduating from the school. As a four-year letter-winner for the Pirates, McNeill was a three-year starter at defensive back and a team captain for two seasons. As a freshman in 1976, he helped lead ECU to a Southern Conference championship, the Pirates last league title until they won back-to-back Conference USA championship games in 2008 and 2009 under Holtz. McNeill, who has coached in 13 bowl games, is the first black head football coach in ECU history. The Executive Committee of the ECU Board of Trustees, acting on behalf of the full board, approved the appointment of McNeill and the outline of his contract in a conference call meeting Thursday evening. The full board will consider McNeill s contract at a regular meeting next month. Holtz went 38-27 at ECU and took the Pirates to a school-record four straight bowl games before heading to South Florida, a move he said would allow him to be closer to members of his family. Ruffin McNeill Collegiate coaching experience 2008-09, Texas Tech, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator 2007, Texas Tech, Assistant Head Coach/Interim Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Tackles 2003-06, Texas Tech, Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams, Coordinator/Defensive Tackles
2000-02, Texas Tech, Assistant/Linebackers 1999, Fresno State/Defensive Line 1998, UNLV, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator 1997, UNLV, Assistant/Defensive Coordinator 1996, Miami Dolphins, Summer Internship 1993-96, Appalachian State/Defensive Coordinator 1992, East Carolina, Assistant/Defensive Line 1989-91, Appalachian State, Assistant/Linebackers 1988, North Alabama, Assistant/Linebackers 1987, Austin Peay State, Assistant/Linebackers 1985-86 Clemson, Graduate Assistant/Linebackers Postseason experience 2008 Cotton Bowl 2007 Gator Bowl 2006 Insight Bowl 2005 Cotton Bowl 2004 Holiday Bowl 2003 Houston Bowl 2002 Tangerine Bowl 2001 Alamo Bowl 2000 Galleryfurniture.com Bowl 1999 Las Vegas Bowl 1994-96 Division I-AA Playoffs 1989-91 Division I-AA Playoffs 1986 Gator Bowl 1985 Independence Bowl
1978 Independence Bowl (player) Personal Born: Oct. 9, 1958, Lumberton Education: East Carolina 80, Clemson 87 Family: Wife, Erlene; daughters Olivia, 19, and Renata, 29