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East Carolina Football: Preview, predictions for Pirates’ 2019 season

By John Scimeca

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 10: Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on November 10, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 10: Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on November 10, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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New head coach Mike Houston will bring a much-needed culture change to East Carolina football — just don’t expect to see immediate results in 2019.

Three consecutive 3-9 seasons were enough to doom the coaching tenure of Scottie Montgomery last fall. He was replaced before the 2018 season finale, a 58-3 loss to NC State.

The hiring of head coach Mike Houston brings a number of positives to Greenville, N.C. He has experience coaching at several different in-state high schools, he won the 2016 FCS national title at James Madison, and he has made a point to inspire his players.

Sophomore quarterback Holton Ahlers, the team’s returning starter, threw for nearly 1,800 yards and ran for nearly 600 yards last season.

Houston, along with several of his assistant coaches from James Madison, will hope to utilize Ahlers’ skill set while shoring up the defensive secondary to give the Pirates a winning season in 2019.

Can the Pirates turn things around in a hurry or will the rebuild in Greenville take some time?

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