BREAKING: ECU Head Coach Blake Harrell Signs Restructured Contract, Putting Resignation Rumors to Rest
**GREENVILLE, N.C.** – In a definitive announcement that silences any speculation about his future, East Carolina University head football coach **Blake Harrell** has agreed to a restructured contract approved by the ECU Board of Trustees, extending his tenure through February 2030 and putting to rest any rumors of resignation .
The new contract, approved on February 13, 2026, includes a $175,000 salary increase for Harrell, bringing his total annual compensation to $875,000 effective March 1 . The deal also features performance-based incentives, including a $50,000 bonus for each win when the team reaches at least seven victories in a season .
“This is a significant commitment from our university, and I’m incredibly grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me,” Harrell said following the announcement. “My focus remains entirely on building something special here in Greenville, and this contract extension allows us to continue the work we’ve started.”
**Building on Success**
Harrell, a North Carolina native now in his seventh overall season at ECU, was officially named the program’s 23rd head football coach on November 27, 2024, after serving just over a month as interim head coach . Since taking over on October 20, 2024, Harrell has compiled an impressive 14-5 overall record while guiding the Pirates to consecutive Military Bowl victories .
In 2025, Harrell led ECU to a 9-4 overall record, including a 6-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play and a share of fourth place in the league standings—the program’s most conference wins since joining the AAC . Under his leadership, the Pirates ranked among FBS leaders in multiple statistical categories, averaging 32.7 points per game while allowing just 20.1—the fewest points allowed by the program since 1999 .
“I’ve never seen a team consistently win when they’re changing coaches every two or three years,” said Tony Capillary, a long-time ECU fan. “He’s done a good job—nobody can complain about what he’s done. Leave him alone and let him do it” .
**Culture and Development**
Beyond the wins, Harrell has emphasized building a sustainable culture of excellence both on and off the field. Since he took over in 2024, 17 student-athletes have earned All-American Conference honors, including four first-team selections . The program has also excelled academically, with over 50 members from the 2024 squad earning AAC All-Academic Team honors while maintaining a 3.00 GPA. This past fall, the Pirates posted a 3.08 cumulative GPA—their best non-COVID fall semester in program history .
Athletic Director Jon Gilbert, who also received a three-year contract extension through December 2029 during the same board meeting, praised Harrell’s leadership: “Despite the constant change in collegiate athletics, Blake has built a unique culture and belief that permeates throughout the entire program. Investing in our football program is essential to the success of our entire athletics department” .
**Previous Journey to Head Coach**
Harrell’s path to head coach began long before his interim appointment. He previously served as ECU’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach after joining the program in 2020 . As defensive coordinator in 2024, his unit ranked among FBS leaders in red zone defense, tackles for loss, and turnovers gained .
Before ECU, Harrell held coaching positions at Western Carolina (2001-02), Lenoir-Rhyne (2007-13), The Citadel (2014-18), and Kennesaw State (2019) . During his time at Lenoir-Rhyne, he helped guide the Bears to the 2013 NCAA Division II national championship game.
**Looking Ahead**
With his contract now secured through 2030, Harrell and the Pirates are focused on building upon their recent success. The program has already shown momentum in recruiting, with 22 mid-year enrollees joining the team for spring practice beginning March 16 .
“We bring a tremendous experience,” Gilbert said at the board meeting. “If you look at who we attracted in the portal, I think winning games, being on TV like we’ve done with back-to-back bowl games—we are doing a good job of attracting the right players” .
For Pirate Nation, the message is clear: Blake Harrell isn’t going anywhere. His commitment to ECU, now formalized through a restructured contract, ensures the stability and continuity that fans have been craving.
