ECU concluded last season 8-5 overall, topping NC State in the Military Bowl, 26-21. The Pirates will open this coming season on Aug. 28, with a rematch against NC State, inside Carter-Finley Stadium.

The defensive line is really deep, in fact three deep or more across the line. South Central grad Jeremy Lewis is one of the starters. He played 12 games last year made 49 tackles with 4 sacks.

Shankweiler returned to ECU on Dec. 7, 2018 for his fourth stint with the Pirates. He had three earlier five-year stints - 1987-91, 1998-02 and 2005-09 - at East Carolina, working under Art Baker ...