Report: ECU removing interim tag for Blake Harrell

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East Carolina is removing the interim label and promoting Blake Harrell to head football coach, ESPN reported Monday.

The Pirates are 4-0 since Harrell took over for Mike Houston, who was fired on Oct. 20 after compiling a 27-38 record in five-plus seasons.

Harrell, who was promoted from defensive coordinator, has guided ECU (7-4, 5-2 American Athletic Conference) to wins over Temple, Florida Atlantic, Tulsa and North Texas.

The school's board is expected to meet in the coming days to formally approve a contract, per the ESPN report.

Harrell, 45, has been on the Pirates coaching staff since 2020. He previously was the defensive coordinator with Kennesaw State (2019), linebackers coach (2014-15) and defensive coordinator (2016-2018) at The Citadel and assistant coach at Lenoir-Rhyne (2007-13).

--Field Level Media REUTERS

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