**Blake Harrell Set to Become East Carolina's Next Head Coach**

East Carolina University is poised to elevate Blake Harrell from interim coach to head coach, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday. Harrell has made a significant impact, leading the Pirates to a 4-0 record since his appointment on October 20, contributing to the team's 7-4 season.

Although the promotion is not yet official, insiders indicate that ECU's board will convene soon to finalize Harrell's contract. This meeting is expected in the coming days, with a decision likely by the end of the week. Harrell has impressed university officials with his "contagious energy," making a compelling case for his continued leadership.

Under Harrell's guidance, East Carolina has secured victories over Temple, Florida Atlantic, Tulsa, and North Texas. Known for focusing on player well-being by scaling back practices, Harrell has fostered a winning environment that has resonated well with the team. Notably, ECU's comeback win against North Texas, where they rallied from a 21-0 deficit to triumph 40-28, highlighted the players' enthusiasm for Harrell’s leadership. Players like redshirt sophomore quarterback Katin Houser and senior tackle Parker Moorer have publicly voiced their support for Harrell to remain as head coach.

Before his interim position, the 46-year-old Harrell served as East Carolina's defensive coordinator. His career is rooted deeply in the Carolinas, having graduated from Western Carolina and earned an MBA from Lenoir-Rhyne. He coached in North Carolina high schools and held college coaching roles at Lenoir-Rhyne and The Citadel. Additionally, he served as the defensive coordinator at Kennesaw State in 2019, where he led a top-five FCS defense.

Harrell will succeed Mike Houston, who was dismissed in his sixth season with a 27-38 record. ECU has not won a league title since 2009 under Skip Holtz in Conference USA. Harrell’s promotion marks the first finalized coaching position among the six American Athletic Conference vacancies this year, with other openings at Tulsa, FAU, Rice, Charlotte, and Temple.

The Pirates will conclude their regular season against Navy on Saturday. A victory would secure their second eight-win season since 2014, further solidifying Harrell's case as the right choice for ECU's future.