College Football BREAKING: Head Coach Suddenly Fired Midseason After Loss To Ranked Team

Many college football fanbases are ready to part ways with their head coaches in mid-October. One program decided to fire their head coach after their seventh game of the season which ended in a blowout loss to the No. 23 team in the country.

A college football coach was fired on Sunday

USATSI 24534912 168400517 lowres — Oct 19, 2024; West Point, New York, USA; East Carolina Pirates head coach Mike Houston looks on during the second half against the Army Black Knights at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Per a statement Sunday morning by Eastern Carolina athletic director Jon Gilbert, the school has fired head coach Mike Houston after a 3-4 start to the 2024 season.

“After a comprehensive evaluation of our football program, I informed Mike Houston this morning that we are making a change in leadership,” said Gilbert. “This was a very difficult decision. Mike has led our program the last five plus seasons with tremendous class and has positively impacted so many student-athletes. After earning back-to-back bowl invitations, we looked poised for continued success. Unfortunately, we have not seen the results we all want, and a change is needed to move the program forward. We have high expectations and those are not changing. ”

ECU is naming defensive coordinator Blake Harrell as the team’s interim coach while the Pirates search for a permanent head coach. Harrell has been ECU’s defensive coordinator since the 2020 season.

A postseason berth is on the line for Eastern Carolina

USATSI 24533987 168400517 lowres — Oct 19, 2024; West Point, New York, USA; East Carolina Pirates head coach Mike Houston looks on during the first half against the Army Black Knights at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Per the statement, ECU is hoping to stay competitive for a bowl bid this season.

“Right now, we are focusing on our student-athletes as they compete for a postseason opportunity in the final five regular season games,” Gilbert said. “My hope is Pirate Nation will rally around our student-athletes like they have always done.”

Houston compiled a 27-38 record during his six seasons at ECU, leading the school to a win over Coastal Carolina in the 2022 Birmingham Bowl. Houston’s program struggled after the 2022 season.

The Pirates went 2-10 for the 2023 season. ECU’s last win came against UTSA on Sept. 28. The team dropped two straight games by a combined score of 100-52. ECU was blown out by No. 23 Army 45-28 on Saturday.

USATSI 16672419 168400517 lowres scaled — Sep 2, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates helmet before the game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

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