GREENVILLE, N.C. — East Carolina University has officially appointed Blake Harrell as the head football coach after he successfully guided the team to four consecutive victories as interim coach.

The announcement came on Wednesday, about five weeks following Harrell’s appointment as interim coach when Mike Houston was relieved of his duties. Harrell has been with the program since January 2020, serving as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach before taking over as head coach.

Under Harrell’s leadership, the Pirates achieved a record of 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the American Athletic Conference, securing a spot in a bowl game for the third time in four years. The winning streak included impressive victories over Temple, Florida Atlantic, Tulsa, and North Texas, showcasing the team’s strong offensive performance with an average of 45.8 points and 535 yards per game during this stretch.

In his previous role as defensive coordinator, Harrell’s contributions helped the team to allow only 27.3 points per game over four seasons, marking the best defensive record the program has had in nearly a decade.

Athletic director Jon Gilbert expressed confidence in Harrell’s abilities, noting that he has created a comprehensive strategy to lead the team amidst the evolving dynamics of college football, particularly regarding revenue sharing and players capitalizing on their name, image, and likeness rights.

The Pirates are set to conclude the regular season this Friday with a home game against Navy. The anticipation continues to build as fans look forward to what Harrell will bring to the program in his new permanent role.