GREENVILLE — East Carolina’s effort since the hire of Mike Houston 360 days earlier deserved better.
It deserved better weather, which was cold, rainy and raw. It deserved more people, who were cold, rainy and … probably possessing the warmest hearts imaginable to be clustered a few thousand “strong” in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Thanksgiving Saturday 2019 will be remembered as the close of Houston’s first year, the Pirates matching Tulsa with their eighth loss in a 49-24 decision.
“It’s disappointing because we have higher expectations than this, and that’s a positive,” Houston said.
He spent his postgame presser lamenting some of the plays in the game. But he also lauded the 16 seniors in their final home game.
They were, he said, committed to seeing the program be in a better position than it was a year ago. That box is checked.
“When given some time to reflect, it’s in better shape today than it was a year ago,” Houston said. “It’s nowhere close to where we want it to be. Not even close.”
And he added, “I think we can get there.”
For context, the Pirates lost by three to a Cincinnati team ranked in the nation’s Top 25 and playing next week for the American Athletic Conference championship. They failed to triumph in winnable games at home not only against the Golden Hurricane but also against Temple, and on the road at South Florida and Southern Methodist.
Cincinnati has won 10, SMU nine and Temple seven. Tulsa was arguably better than 3-8 coming in. The Golden Hurricane had kicking problems in three losses. Of their eight setbacks, five were by 10 points or less and included was one in three overtimes.
The Pirates are what their record says they are, to borrow a bit from the late Dennis Green, so 4-8 and fifth of six teams in the East Division is the bottom line.
In assessing his first year, the former James Madison head coach pointed to the “culture in the locker room, the work ethic, the commitment to each other — there are so many positives in the program.”
No excuses and no what ifs are necessary to appreciate that the ECU program is significant steps beyond the day before Houston was hired. That was the week after N.C. State delivered a 58-3 embarrassment, a week after Scottie Montgomery had been let go before playing the Wolfpack so Houston wouldn’t be hired elsewhere.
It was a calculated move, coupled with Jon Gilbert’s hire as athletics director.
Now the spotlight shines on Houston moving the chess pieces. He held together a solid recruiting class from his predecessor, and he thanked him for his good eye, too.
But as he noted Saturday in the aftermath, he and his predecessor see the route to success very differently. And that especially includes personnel.
“Bigger, stronger and faster,” Houston said of the program’s needs.
He’s already set about changing culture. He’s instilled a measure of belief by his players.
He’s challenged them and there will be more come January.
“We’ve got to recruit and develop,” he said.
And he said that more than once, meaning he and his staff in no way place all of the program’s burden upon the players. Responsibility is woven throughout.
He called the American a league with offensive and defensive fronts similar to any league in the country. He also noted how young his team is, how the meal time together goes by class and practically half the room stands when freshmen are last to be called.
“We’ve got to grow them up,” he said.
The Pirates have accomplished much in these 360-plus days since Houston arrived from Harrisonburg. There is much more to do, and in that he said there is growth in the expectation.
The Pirates deserved a better fate Saturday. In fans bidding farewell to seniors, and in the performance on the field.
“We grew so much,” the head coach was saying, “but it’s obvious we’ve got to develop.”