East Carolina names Scottie Montgomery new head coach
East Carolina announced Sunday that Duke offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery will be the Pirates' new head coach.
Montgomery, 37, a North Carolina native, will be formally introduced as the Pirates' 21st head coach at a news conference at 11 a.m. on Monday. He will begin his official duties on Jan. 1. He replaces Ruffin McNeill, who was fired Dec. 4, after a 5-7 season
Montgomery comes to the Pirates after two years as as Duke's associate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Blue Devils ranked third in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season with 431 yards per game.
Overall, Montgomery served on the Duke staff for seven seasons under Ted Roof (2006-07) and David Cutcliffe (2008-09, 2013-15) — five as receivers coach. Duke will face Indiana in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on on Dec. 26.
"Ten days ago I said that I was looking for someone who will be a fierce competitor, who will lead our football program to championships, while equally demanding academic success,” athletics director Jeff Compher said in a statement. "As we worked through the entire search process, it became overwhelmingly clear that Scottie Montgomery possesses every attribute necessary to put our football program in a position to win championships and graduate our student-athletes. His foundation is his family and his character is exhibited through his reputation built by his unparalleled work ethic and the truly special relationships he develops with his players and coaches.
“While there was great interest by many during our search, the only offer we extended was based on Scottie’s success, vision and desire to be a part of Pirate Nation. That made our decision a clear and resounding one.”
Montgomery — an all-ACC receiver with the Blue Devils who led the team in receiving every year from 1997-99 — returned to Duke as a coach in 2006 and was the only one of Roof’s assistants retained by Cutcliffe when he took over following the 2007 season.
He coached the receivers on Mike Tomlin’s staff with the Steelers from 2010-12, then came back to his alma mater in 2013 to coach the same position group. He took over as offensive coordinator in 2014 after Kurt Roper left for Florida.
Duke averaged 32 points in Montgomery’s first season as a coordinator and 30.5 points this season, while the Blue Devils (7-5) earned their fourth straight bowl berth. They will play Indiana in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 26.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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