Short answer
Blake Harrell is ECU’s head coach. He was named interim coach on October 20, 2024 and made permanent that November, after four seasons as the Pirates’ defensive coordinator. His 2026 coordinators are Jordan Davis (offense, quarterbacks), Jordon Hankins (defense, linebackers) and Roy Tesh (co-defensive coordinator, defensive line). The full player roster is on ECU’s roster page.
2026 coaching staff
From ECU’s coaching staff page, read October 29, 2026
| Coach | Role |
|---|---|
| Blake Harrell | Head coach |
| Jordan Davis | Offensive coordinator, quarterbacks |
| Jordon Hankins | Defensive coordinator, linebackers |
| Roy Tesh | Co-defensive coordinator, defensive line |
| Alex Huettel | Offensive line, run game coordinator |
| Hunter MacKay | Tight ends, passing game coordinator |
| Julian Griffin | Running backs |
| Ryan Smith | Special teams coordinator |
| Damon Magazu | Safeties |
| Mason Baggett | Director of strength and conditioning |
Harrell’s path: defensive coordinator at ECU from 2020 to 2024, and before that Kennesaw State, The Citadel and Lenoir-Rhyne (Wikipedia). He went 9-4 in his first full season, 2025, and has won both bowl games he has coached (bowl history).
Players to know in 2026
- Quarterback: Mitch Griffis started the first games; Miami transfer Emory Williams took over against NC Central and threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Griffis was back under center at Memphis (ECU recap).
- Running back: T.J. Engleman Jr. had three straight 100-yard games (NC Central, Rice, UAB), including 136 yards against Rice. North Texas transfer Ashton Gray led the team with 99 yards against App State (ECU recap).
- Defense: ECU went into the UAB game first in the country in tackles for loss, 10.8 per game (ECU recap). Ayden Duncanson’s pick-six won the Old Dominion game (ECU recap).
Game-by-game notes are on the 2026 schedule and results page.
Questions fans ask
Who is the ECU football coach?
Blake Harrell. He became interim head coach on October 20, 2024 after Mike Houston was let go, was named the permanent coach in November 2024, and is the program’s 23rd head coach.
Who is ECU’s quarterback in 2026?
Both Mitch Griffis and Emory Williams have started. Williams started against NC Central, Rice and UAB; Griffis played the Memphis game.
Sources
- ECU Athletics, football coaching staff
- Wikipedia, Blake Harrell
- ECU Athletics, Pirates fall at Memphis in overtime (October 23, 2026)
- ECU Athletics, ECU drops home opener to App State (September 12, 2026)
- ECU Athletics, ECU falls at UAB in overtime (October 15, 2026)
- ECU Athletics, ECU earns first win of 2026 at Old Dominion (September 19, 2026)
- ECU Athletics, 2026 football roster
Last checked October 29, 2026. Kickoff times, TV and stadium rules can change; ECU Athletics posts the final word each game week.