East Carolina fires Mike Houston

[AppStFan1]

https://footballscoop.com/news/east-car ... ke-houston

[704App]

I hope whoever our coach is next year looks at Houston for the DC job..

[AppStFan1]

I hope whoever our coach is next year looks at Houston for the DC job..

Would be a good DC. I never expected Gillin to part ways with Clark before Dec 2 but could this possibly make him decide to pull the trigger if we lose the next 2 games? I expect us to win 3 more and wait until Dec 2 but it does have me wondering if this is making Gillin think he might want to make a move earlier if we lose the next couple games. I would still lean to say he waits but I figured ECU would wait a few more weeks and they did not.

[App_in_Maiden]

Having been in high school when Coach Houston was our coach, I will always pull for him to succeed, but it was time. Even though it feels like ECU has a curse on them after letting Ruffin go, he just hasn’t been successful there like he was. I’m sure he’ll land somewhere quickly.

[NewApp]

We helped get him fired.

[Bootsy]

It’s unfortunate things didn’t work out for Houston in Greenville. But I have no doubt he’ll land on his feet.

ECU’s issues stemmed largely from lack of QB talent. After the 2022 season, the Pirates desperately needed a “plug & play” QB1 to replace Holton Ahlers. Houston was a victim of wishful thinking; For a number of very clear reasons, he should’ve two years ago that Garcia wasn’t the answer.

Donnie Kirkpatrick was fired at the end of the 2023 season. He was a sacrificial lamb, but his offense wasn’t the issue. ECU’s OL was poor and Garcia just wasn’t up to the task of running the scheme. Even though some upgrades occurred across the OL in 2024, Garcia still struggled.

Houston went out and got Houser from the TP to challenge Garcia. The situation with Houser is a theme we can relate to as App fans: the kid’s upside seemed limitless, but it hasn’t materialized. We’ve seen some of the same things with QB’s and OL’s from the TP that haven’t lived up to the hype.

The nail in the coffin wasn’t getting smacked around by a very good Army team. The last straw was a humiliating loss to UNCC, because the team clearly gave up on Houston after that.

And while things aren’t great up on the mountain, I’m glad to say we haven’t seen this…yet.

[JTApps1]

It’s unfortunate things didn’t work out for Houston in Greenville. But I have no doubt he’ll land on his feet.

ECU’s issues stemmed largely from lack of QB talent. After the 2022 season, the Pirates desperately needed a “plug & play” QB1 to replace Holton Ahlers. Houston was a victim of wishful thinking; For a number of very clear reasons, he should’ve two years ago that Garcia wasn’t the answer.

Donnie Kirkpatrick was fired at the end of the 2023 season. He was a sacrificial lamb, but his offense wasn’t the issue. ECU’s OL was poor and Garcia just wasn’t up to the task of running the scheme. Even though some upgrades occurred across the OL in 2024, Garcia still struggled.

Houston went out and got Houser from the TP to challenge Garcia. The situation with Houser is a theme we can relate to as App fans: the kid’s upside seemed limitless, but it hasn’t materialized. We’ve seen some of the same things with QB’s and OL’s from the TP that haven’t lived up to the hype.

The nail in the coffin wasn’t getting smacked around by a very good Army team. The last straw was a humiliating loss to UNCC, because the team clearly gave up on Houston after that.

And while things aren’t great up on the mountain, I’m glad to say we haven’t seen this…yet.

This years Garcia was different than last years Garcia. He was a TP pickup along with Houser. We actually spoke with him at one point.

[DenverOfTheEast]

And so it begins.....

Gillin doesn't have the funds to move on #TeamClark --

pay a buyout
pay both OC and DC remaining year.
Pay a new staff more than the current staff makes
NIL money to entice a new staff to take the job

[Kafarmer]

There was a story in the Charlotte Observer recently that listed base salary of all coaching positions in the UNC system. NC State and NC each had 10 assistant coaches making more in base salary than Ponce & Sloan. 10. Each.

[311neers]

If we can't afford a measly $500k to fire a coach we are in big trouble moving forward.
We were about to build a "fully funded" $50M east tower but can't afford $500k?

[Tru2ASU]

I thought both coordinators were on 2 year deals.

[AppStFan1]

If we can't afford a measly $500k to fire a coach we are in big trouble moving forward.
We were about to build a "fully funded" $50M east tower but can't afford $500k?

We might not have the extra cash on hand at the moment but we got people on the BOT who can afford to donate the buyout for sure.

[Saint3333]

There is ability to do something and intent to do something.

Don’t confuse the two.

[AppStFan1]

There is ability to do something and intent to do something.

Don’t confuse the two.

That is true but in this case I believe those exact folks have the ability and intent if we struggle down the stretch.

[Stonewall]

If Norris asks , they will step up. It’s in her hands, at least for the foreseeable future.

[Saint3333]

There is ability to do something and intent to do something.

Don’t confuse the two.

That is true but in this case I believe those exact folks have the ability and intent if we struggle down the stretch.

One does not (the largest) and he told us that after USA.

[Saint3333]

FBS Salaries and Buyouts:

https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/sa ... ball/coach

[311neers]

FBS Salaries and Buyouts:

https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/sa ... ball/coach

Good info...King Kirby is in a good spot. $118M buyout! Spewed my 2nd cup of coffee after seeing that number.

[DenverOfTheEast]

App State is carrying more debt than anyone in the Sun Belt.... That NEZ isn't paid for yet.


So the ECU job - they are buying out his 2.8 million and will hire someone new for 1.2 - 1.5 range. That's real money.

Let's see who they attract

[AppStFan1]

There is ability to do something and intent to do something.

Don’t confuse the two.

That is true but in this case I believe those exact folks have the ability and intent if we struggle down the stretch.

One does not (the largest) and he told us that after USA.

We have more than one and some are definitely willing to do so. There was actual discussion after the Coastal Carolina game to do it last year. I am not pushing for it to happen but just stating there is actual discussion about doing it. Shawn has to win the next few weeks or it is going to increase the will of those who can to do it