Friday’s announcement that Ruffin McNeill is out as East Carolina’s football coach was felt at the heart of campus and far beyond.
There was a sense of shock around the main campus during lunch time, not long after ECU athletic director Jeff Compher revealed that McNeill will no longer be the Pirates’ coach after a 42-34 record in six seasons and making his mark as a well-liked coach by players and the Greenville community.
One season-ticket holder of 15 years, who is a university employee and chose to remain anonymous, called the decision short-sighted. ECU won eight games in 2012, 10 in 2013 and eight last year before a disappointing 5-7 record this year.