2003 East Carolina Football Preview

John Thompson

The dawning of a new era in East Carolina University football has arrived for 2003. And perhaps never before has there been this much enthusiasm and optimism for a team coming off a losing season—its first in five years.

The reason for much of the newfound energy in Greenville is John Thompson, who was named the 18th head football coach in ECU history on December 20, 2002. The former University of Florida defensive coordinator's arrival marked a new approach for the Purple and Gold and a new attitude among a stable full of returning veteran players as well as followers and fans of the Pirate program.

Thompson's area of expertise—defense—fits perfectly with ECU's most concerning immediate need. The Pirates have finished 82nd and 106th nationally in total defense over the past two seasons, respectively, and lost six defensive starters from last season.

While the ECU offense also struggled at times last season, primarily due to turnovers and inconsistency, Thompson has eight returning starters to build his new system around, including 1,000-yard rusher Art Brown in the backfield and All-America candidate Brian Rimpf on the offensive line.

Offense
Every position on the ECU offensive depth chart includes players who have starting experience, with eight regular starters returning from 2002.

For the second straight year, the Pirates return a deep and experienced offensive line, anchored by two-time first team All-Conference USA tackle Brian Rimpf. Center Doug White, another senior, is also an all-conference candidate. Junior Charlie Dempsey and senior Brian Fox both started each game at the guard positions, while senior Brandon Pope returned to the gridiron last season after overcoming injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Before the injuries, Pope was a regular starter in 2001. Senior Corey Schmidt and junior Hagen Mason also have starting experience. The Pirate O-line has paved the way for two consecutive 1,000-yard rushers in Leonard Henry (1,432 in 2001) and Art Brown (1,029 in 2002).

The new ECU offense, coordinated by Rick Stockstill and operating under a new multiple scheme, calls for distinct tailback and fullback roles which will blend the existing Pirate personnel's talent and size. Brown, a second team All C-USA selection in 2002, ranked 29th in the nation in rushing (102.9 yards/game) and sixth in scoring (10.2 points/game) last season despite missing the final two games with a groin injury. He will share time in the backfield with junior Marvin Townes, who amassed 304 rushing yards last season. Versatile senior Vonta Leach, a three-year letterman who made the transition from linebacker to fullback midway through last season, had an explosive spring practice and caught major attention with his 108-yard rushing performance in the Spring Game. Used primarily as a blocking back in 2002, the 6-0, 253-pound Leach gives Thompson's rushing offense an extra punch and he is already being touted as an all-conference candidate.

"I think our running backs are and should be one of the strengths of our team, along with our offensive line," Thompson said. "We are capable of doing a lot of things with our backs. Vonta really proved himself this spring as not only a lead blocker but also as a capable ball carrier. Art showed a lot of toughness and Marvin showed that he can do a little bit of everything. To able to use those guys in different situations, our offensive staff will have a lot of options. We're expecting a lot of productivity from our running backs."

Junior Paul Troth is the returning starter at quarterback but, just as with other positions on the team, has been served notice that he, too, will have to fight to win that position again in preseason drills. Troth turned in the eighth-most passing yards in a season at ECU last year as he completed 49 percent of his passes for 2,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. However, he also suffered 20 interceptions, an area in which he must show improvement in order to have more success in 2003. Fellow junior Desmond Robinson, with a more option-oriented style of play, saw regular action as Troth's backup in eight games last year and completed 22-of-46 passes for 250 yards, plus rushed for 52 yards. The two are neck-and-neck for the starting role entering fall practice.

"Both Paul and Desmond played well this spring and made improvements," Thompson said. "This summer is critical for those guys. So will be August camp. We will name a starting quarterback if either one of the two separates themselves. At this point, it has not happened." Redshirt freshman James Pinkney is waiting in the wings for his opportunity, as is true freshman Pierre Parker. Highly touted signal-caller Patrick Dosh will sit out the 2003 season after transferring from the University of Florida this summer.

ECU lost its top two receivers to graduation as Torey Morris and Richard Alston accounted for nearly half of the team's receiving yards in 2002. However, the 2003 corps includes seven returning lettermen and three seniors. Terrance Copper, the regular starting H-back last season, leads the returnees with 30 catches for 395 yards. Fellow senior Marcus White also has starting experience but must answer health questions to become a factor. Senior Richard Hourigan, a former walk-on, emerged as one of the team's most sure-handed targets last season and finished with 19 catches for 197 yards. Juniors Garett Peterkin, Damarcus Fox, and Edwin Rios are each two-year lettermen and sophomore Bryson Bowling saw significant action as a true freshman last season.

The tight end position could benefit most from Thompson's inaugural recruiting class, which includes three highly touted signees at that spot. Incumbant starter Tutu Moye, who split the lead role at the equivalent flex end position in 2002 with the now-departed Ben Thomas, caught 16 passes for 185 yards last season. However, Moye missed spring practice with a leg injury, leaving the spot up for grabs between sophomore James Myrick, who lettered at offensive lineman last season, and redshirt freshman Kort Shankweiler, a converted quarterback.

"We set out to be a team that wanted to throw the ball down the field and wanted to be physical, and I think we have accomplished both of those things," Thompson said at the conclusion of his first spring practice in Greenville. "We have not turned the ball over as much on offense and have gotten better."

Defense
The influence of Thompson's defensive mind along with new defensive coordinator Jerry Odom became apparent early in spring practice as the Pirates switched from their 3-4 alignment of the past to a multiple presentation. Making that transition are 20 returning lettermen but only five returning starters from 2002.

The Pirates' linebacking corps looks to be the strength of the unit. Chris Moore, who was a Freshman All-America selection last season, and fellow sophomore Josh Chilsom are the team's top two returning tacklers with 72 and 74 total stops apiece, respectively. Moore was on track to potentially challenge for C-USA's top freshman award before being sidelined for three games in mid-season with a knee injury. Through the first five games of 2002, Moore was leading the nation's freshmen in tackles. Chilsom also caught attention as a redshirt freshman when he totaled six tackles for losses and four sacks.

Senior Kent Nealy, a veteran who has played in every game over the past three seasons, should get his shot at a regular starting role in the other linebacker spot this fall. Junior Eric Butler, who accounted for 47 tackles and made four starts last season, will also factor into the preseason battles for starting roles.

The defensive line will be anchored by 6-7, 300-pound tackle Damane Duckett, a veteran senior who recorded 45 tackles with five for losses last year. Only six lettermen return to man the four line positions, but two (Derek Helms and Eric Foushee) are experienced seniors and another, Guy Whimper, was a C-USA All-Freshman pick last year.

Hard-hitting Richard Koonce, who pounded out 46 tackles and six for losses as a redshirt freshman last season, and fellow sophomore Sammie Walden are in competition for the starting role at the newly created bandit position on the defensive line.

"I don't think there is any question that our defense will blossom," Thompson said. "We have several guys, especially on the defensive line, that got much, much better. We've moved some people around at linebacker and will be okay there. We've still got to keep getting better in the secondary, however."

Eight lettermen -- including two starters -- are in the shuffle for the four secondary positions. The most experienced of the group is senior Travis Heath, who has a reputation for creating big plays on defense and was a conference player-of-the-week selection last year. Cornerback Reicko Jones started 10 games as a true freshman and was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team. Senior Brandon Rainer started five times at cornerback last year and is a three-year letterman. Junior Donald Whitehead and sophomores Mickey McCoy, who has moved over from the receiving corps, and Jared Brogden along with senior lettermen James Tyson and Richard Moton also return.

"We will rush from the secondary and every guy on our defense has a blitz responsibility at one time or another," Thompson said of his philosophy with the defensive backs. "Pass defense starts with putting pressure on the quarterback. If the quarterback is in the pocket and comfortable with no pressure, there isn't a secondary in the country that can stop you. But by changing some people up front and cutting them loose, we'll be a better pass rushing team. We've got to be a better cover team. We've played well in the secondary this spring, but were limited in how much progress was made because of some injuries to key players."

Special Teams
For the first time in several years, ECU is completely void of experience at both the punter and place-kicker positions heading into a season. Gone are reliable kicker Kevin Miller, who finished his career as the school's all-time leading scorer, and booming punter Jarad Preston, who finished among the nation's top dozen punters in each of the past two seasons.

The punting position was nailed down this past spring by redshirt freshman Ryan Dougherty, who came to ECU as a highly touted recruit prior to the 2002 season. An All-Florida punter in high school, Dougherty averaged 38 yards on five punts in the Spring Game.

The starting job at place-kicker is a toss-up heading into preseason drills. Thompson is looking for either Cameron Broadwell or Chris Baglio, both junior non-lettermen, to emerge with the consistent leg that Pirate fans have grown accustomed to in recent seasons.

"I really believe that we have the talent to get it done," the Pirate head coach said of his team's kicking game. "We just have to get consistent. It's going to take a lot of work from the guys that we have here. But we're also going to open it up. We may bring in some new kickers to see what can happen there. As anybody will know that watched us this spring, we were inconsistent. Some of that has to do with confidence. It's an area that is a major concern right now, but I really believe we're going to get it fixed."

Getting the ball to the newcomers will be lettermen Brandon Howard and Michael Yartin, who handled long and short snaps, respectively, last season. The Pirates also bring back their top punt and kick returners from a year ago as Terrance Copper, a preseason All C-USA pick, averaged 10.9 yards on punt returns and Damarcus Fox and Marvin Townes split kick return duties, averaging 22.4 and 21.7 yards, respectively.

Schedule
While one of the most intriguing schedules in school history will provide plenty of excitement among ECU fans, the slate is not particularly conducive to the gradual development and implementation of new systems and schemes.

The Pirates jump right into the Conference USA fire with a Labor Day (Sept. 1) opener at defending C-USA co-champ Cincinnati, which will be nationally televised by ESPN.

The opener is followed by back-to-back games against teams that were nationally ranked in the final 2002 poll—at home against No. 25 West Virginia and on the road at No. 2 Miami—then a trip to Wake Forest, a bowl team in '02 which has beaten the Pirates in each of the past two seasons.

Also included on the non-conference slate is an Oct. 11 home date with in-state rival North Carolina in the Tar Heels' first-ever visit to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

The home slate is also highlighted by visits from two of the Pirates' biggest rivals in C-USA, Louisville (Oct. 25) and Southern Miss (Nov. 29), along with a nationally televised midweek game (Sept. 30) against Houston.