Nearly one month ago, East Carolina athletic director Jeff Compher made a shocking move that left many scratching their heads when he announced the firing of head football coach Ruffin McNeill.
After spending six years in Greenville while compiling a 42-34 overall record, he was let go — an unpopular decision between fans and alumni, at the time — and eventually replaced by Duke offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery.
McNeill, who is now the assistant head coach at Virginia on Bronco Mendenhall’s new staff, opened up about ECU and getting the boot over the weekend.
“You understand the business,” McNeill said. “We went through a similar experience at Texas Tech, where it was one of the highest challenges of our life and one of the lowest lows. One of the most exciting times to win the game against Michigan State to not getting the job, it was similar.”
In 2009, McNeill was Texas Tech’s interim head coach after replacing Mike Leach, where he beat Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl, but wasn’t offered the full-time job. It was déjà vu for the 57-year-old veteran, but it didn’t take long for him to find employment elsewhere.
Actually, it was within 24 hours that he found his next coaching stop.
“After everything here happened, it was a blessing,” McNeill said. “Bronco called the same night and said, ‘Think about it and let me know.’ I had some other offers come through quickly. But knowing Bronco and knowing how he runs his program and having one of my best friends in Robert Anae on staff and (our wives are friends), it became a perfect fit.”
ECU finished 5-7 (3-5 American) during a rebuilding season in 2015, but had a three-year stretch from 2012-14 that featured 26 wins and back-to-back-to-back postseason appearances. He was a player’s coach, and has no ill feelings toward the university or the roster he’s leaving behind.
“They’re my sons,” McNeill said of the ECU players. “The fact that love is there, it hurts, and I know it hurt them. If you get a chance, tell them I said I love ‘em.”
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