Public announcements from NCAA conferences or credible sports news outlets

ECU Fires Mike Houston, First FBS In-Season Firing; Coach Owed $2.8 Million

Oct 20, 2024, 02:42 PM

East Carolina University has fired its head football coach, Mike Houston, marking the first in-season head coach firing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) this year. Defensive coordinator Blake Harrell will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Houston's dismissal follows ECU's 45-28 loss to No. 23 Army, bringing the Pirates' record to 3-4 this season after a disappointing 2-10 campaign last year. Athletic Director Jon Gilbert stated, "After a comprehensive evaluation of our football program, I informed Mike Houston this morning that we are making a change in leadership. This was a very difficult decision." Houston, who led the team to two bowl games in his first four seasons, had a cumulative record of 27–38 at East Carolina, including a 15–28 mark in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). He is expected to be owed nearly $2.8 million per his contract. Prior to joining ECU, Houston enjoyed a successful tenure at James Madison University, achieving a 37-6 record over three years and winning an FCS national championship and a runner-up finish.