Scottie Montgomery will not return at East Carolina, the school has announced. The news was first reported by WNCT in Greenville, N.C.
"As much as we would have liked the outcome to be different, the progress of a program is ultimately measured by its competitiveness, win total and championships," ECU chancellor Cecil P. Staton said. "It is our decision to move in a different direction with new leadership.
"He cared deeply for his players, was an outstanding mentor, and always focused on the word 'student' in student-athlete. We wish him all the best."
Through "mutual agreement" Montgomery will not coach ECU's season finale against NC State, a game rescheduled due to Hurricane Florence. Defensive coordinator David Blackwell will lead the team in the game.
ECU does not have an athletics director at the moment, though reports say a hire is imminent. Here's how ECU addressed that situation in Thursday's press release:
The search for ECU's new athletics director remains ongoing in earnest, and that individual will finalize the hire for Montgomery's replacement.
Montgomery went 9-26 in three seasons leading the Pirates. He was hired away from Duke, where he spent three seasons on David Cutcliffe's staff, the final two as offensive coordinator.
This happened today for a reason. Some have speculated that reason relates to this.
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