Skip Holtz jumps ECU for USF
Fascinating story developed in Greenville the last 24 hours…and the ‘main stream media’ took another punch to the face when ‘AOL’s Fanhouse’ – a blog platform that SFN was invited to join when it was first formed – is credited for breaking the news that Skip Holtz is leaving East Carolina for South Florida.
Here’s the link to ESPN’s story.
Holtz replaces Jim Leavitt, who was fired earlier this month after a school investigation concluded he grabbed a player by the throat, slapped him in the face, then lied about it. Holtz compiled a 38-27 record in five seasons with the Pirates, including wins in the past two Conference USA championship games and high-profile victories against Virginia Tech and West Virginia in 2008.
Holtz was under contract through the 2013 season and had only a $100,000 buyout. He made $605,000 in base salary this year, though that figure rose to nearly $900,000 due to several incentives.
You can’t blame Skip for wanting to be able to play in a better conference and try to put together ‘real teams’.
Skip has truly built ECU into the class of Conference USA as the Pirates have won back to back Championships (helped by a quarterback, Patrick Pickney, who I believe starts drawing social security this year as he seemed to have more NCAA eligibility than any quarterback in history).
But, one has to wonder if Skip Holtz ultimately recognized what being ‘the class of Conference USA’ really meant — not a whole lot when a conference Championship game that is played on school’s home field attracts only 22,740 in 2008 and 33,048 fans in 2009 (despite being played in Greenville where the media would be the first to tell you the Pirates are some of the best fans in America).
Consider for a moment that the two-time C-USA Champions have lost four games in a row to generally weak ACC teams while compiling a 2-8 record in their last 10 games against the ACC (with their two wins coming on last minute/second plays and by a combined margin of only 7 points). The Pirate team that was good enough to win C-USA in 2008, was bad enough to lose to both NC State and Virginia (2-6 in ACC play) – both of whom finished last in each of their respective divisions in the ACC.
Losing 28 seniors this year after two consecutive bowl losses to unmotivated SEC schools representing the TENTH and final bowl choice from the conference, you can believe Skip knew that it was time to move out ECU’s limitations of being a relatively nice sized midget in C-USA.
The short analysis of the move is summarized by Canus Lupus on this thread on our message boards:
Bad Move –
USF ain’t all that!
Good Move -
1. Big East is ripe to be beat.
2. ECU is graduating 28 players.
3. No proven replacement for their QB.
4. Lost his DC (huge!).
5. Very dumb fanbase with respect to football knowledge. The boo birds would have been wanting him fired if he went 6-6 next year.
From the ECU of North Carolina to the ECU of Florida!
Seriously, Holtz is a good coach. If USF is just another “stepping stone” to get to an SEC or ACC school, I’d love for our AD to make a pitch at him. I love TOB to death but Skip has really shock-and-awed us with his results at ECU. A real program-builder.
“5. Very dumb fanbase with respect to football knowledge. The boo birds would have been wanting him fired if he went 6-6 next year.”
This isn’t analysis. Its just hating on a rival fanbase.
I can’t blame him for wanting to get away from them Irate Pi-rates. Canus Lupus is right about the boo birds.
Looks like Coach Cut is also headed for Tennessee. At least, Blue Devil Nation seems to believe so.
http://bluedevilnation.net/2010/01/cutcliffe-seems-bound-for-tennessee
I don’t think the national media took a punch to the face, I just think they didn’t care much about the USF opening (as most people across the nation feel the same way). Too much focus on the Kiffin UT drama.
(helped by a quarterback, Patrick Pickney, who I believe starts drawing social security this year as he seemed to have more NCAA eligibility than any quarterback in history).
I believe Pinkney is topped only by the ACC’s own Riley Skinner. I thought that dude would NEVER leave Wake! Hasn’t he been there since the late 80′s?
Consider for a moment that the two-time C-USA Champions have lost four games in a row to generally weak ACC teams while compiling a 2-8 record in their last 10 games against the ACC
In fairness, wasn’t one of those two wins against Virginia Tech, the eventual ACC champion that year?
Just trying to keep it fair. ECU really had no business winning that game. They blocked a late punt and returned it for a score to win the game. But they did kinda beat the “ACC’s finest” that year.
Coach Holtz,
I understand my thoughts and feelings at this time may have little value to you.Still I am compelled to sit and put my feelings to paper as a matter of fact.I wish to congratulate you on your new job so close to the home of your family.As such this time when most Pirate Nation is sad and upset and being selfish.I wish to stand up and thank you!East Carolina owes you allot of appreciation and respect.I to as they hoped and prayed you could stay.Create a legacy all your own by bringing ECU into a BCS conference.Then on to a National Championship.How selfish of me as of them too?You lifted my home town school from the gutter of college (NCAA) football.You made them shine on a National level.Not just through wins and losses but by showing the world that.Through good coaching and dedication even the small schools can play and compete and kick butt with the best of them.You owe me my friends,East Carolina or Grenville N.C. nothing at all.All of the above owe you much love and respect and gratitude!I could continue on and on because within my heart it is my wish to convey to you my heart felt wishes and thanks.I shall end by saying a few things.”First Down Pirates!” “Move the Chains” “Purple-Gold!” “You Can Paint This One Purple!” Sadly last and not least “GOOD BYE!”
Good Luck Skip I wish you well,
Troy Hardee
Why is it you pick and choose what comments to post.Many of my comments polite i may add have been removed?This site should be ashamed!
RIP Pirates football.
The last two polar-opposite posts cracked me up!
Ok now for the facts that are one wrong and two left out……
Not a whole lot when a conference Championship game that is played on school’s home field attracts only 22,740 in 2008 and 33,048 fans in 2009 (despite being played in Greenville where the media would be the first to tell you the Pirates are some of the best fans in America).
One in 08 that game was played in tulsa …Duhhh mcfly!!!! wtf sheesh!
The 09 game I took my son to was a great game with electric atmosphere!!
Even considering No students were there local fans still topped 33,000.
Very few Huston fans made the long trip.It was raining and very cold! Low to mid 30′s. Yet it was still probably a more exciting crowd and the best game this wannabe writer By: StateFans Has ever or never sat through! Go Skip and Go Pirates!
Why is it you pick and choose what comments to post.Many of my comments polite i may add have been removed?This site should be ashamed!
“ncsufan13 Says:
January 14th, 2010 at 6:17 pm “5. Very dumb fanbase with respect to football knowledge. The boo birds would have been wanting him fired if he went 6-6 next year.”
This isn’t analysis. Its just hating on a rival fanbase.”
Full disclosure here:
My best friend is a purple-to-the-bone pirate and I have a standing invite to all home ECU games. Free food, beer and ticket! Tics are on the 45, lower deck, 7 rows from the front. The bulk of those fans think ECU should score on every single play and the other team should never make a play.
Not hating just telling it like it is.
BTW, my mom is a pirate (mixed marriage).
Doing exaclty as his Dad did
He is after a big time football school
He want be there 6 years before he jumps to the next attractive offer
Remember “Daddy Lou”
William & Mary
NC State
Arkansas
Minnesota
and then what NOTRE DAME
“ah I finally made it”
good Luck South Florida
Hope he doesn’t promise you to much
I wonder how many of those ECU kids he
promised he would be there a couple of years
North Carolina State Fans should know better than anybody about our Pirate Nation.Voted and proven by numbers to be the most loyal (and in numbers quantity) traveling fan base in CUSA and the only CUSA team to sell out all home games.I wonder where State fans rank in the ACC?
Why is it you pick and choose what comments to post.Many of my comments polite i may add have been removed?This site should be ashamed!
^ Considering we’ve sold out Carter-Finley every year for the past decade, its not really even an honest comparison to try to put ECU’s fanbase side by side with NCSU’s when it comes to ticket sales.
I will admit I too was guilty of booing some of the most bone headed plays Patrick Pickney made time and time again.Like grounding the ball when the coach is wide open.Or him trying to throw the long ball when he couldn’t hit a barn past 35 yards.Or not use his feet when he could pick up a first down easy running.His last year he seemed to panic way to soon and run the wrong way as if running for his life or tossing a pass to the nat sitting on the blade of grass yelling I’m wide open down here stupid!!!Other than this he was pretty good in the short passing game and found a way not to screw up and loose but just a few games.Thank God for Defense and allot of heart on the offensive side of the ball.We do have a decent back up QB and Boston Collages back up transfer.
Why is it you pick and choose what comments to post.Many of my comments polite i may add have been removed?This site should be ashamed!
No I did not pose ECU against NCS in ticket sales.Only where they ranked in each schools conference.Switch schools with conferences and then learn about loyalty from fans.What is not really honest and pack fans know it.Is to put in question the pride of the purple and gold.Same holds true for the pack.Such pride from both schools comes from the same reasons.
No Respect!
Why is it you pick and choose what comments to post.Many of my comments polite i may add have been removed?This site should be ashamed!
The two schools should just swap coaching staffs…
My father-in-law is a Pirate. He didn’t like Skip. Said he was too conservative. He complained about Skip every time I saw him. And he also complained about Ecu not being in a BCS conference and how unfair that is.
Skip will be at USF long enough to get a better job or long enough to be fired.
East Carolina only shut down the best Offense in the Nation to win CUSA!
Houston’s high-flying offensive attack finished second nationally in scoring offense, with almost 44 points per game, and the Cougar offense was first in the country in yards gained per game (581).
Arkansas Game….
East Carolina only Dominated every aspect of the game except for turnovers and points <—-granted but still blew three chances to win this game!
Arkansas lead the SEC in scoring offense at 37 points per game.
Beat high ranked VT.
Beat high ranked WV.
Beat Carolina
Beat Virgina
Miami
South carolina
Wake forest
All in recent and post recent memory…
and yes even the pack a few times…
To suggest we can not play on a bigger stage diminishes your own conference.
SFN: LOL! Your “recent memory” goes back an awful long time.
We like to talk in true facts here, not general ones.
For the record, ECU lost to State the last two times you played us (and 3 of the last 4 over the last decade). You lost by 14 to a middling Carolina the last time you played them (in a year that you won your league) You lost at home to Virginia Tech the last time you played them. You lost by 15 to Virginia in year that you won the C-USA title and they finished LAST in the Coastal Division.
Um just a foot note here I did say recent and post recent memory.Meaning I remember but maybe some much younger than I may not! .You can point out the we lost .It’s ok because we lost them.You must also give credit to the wins also.Some big ones and yet then and now still with little respect.I should research NCS’s History in say the last 20 years and I bet I can pull a few “being polite” embarrassing games that left ya’ll nothing to howl about! You keep talking about the *last time we played them* The year before we beat UNC and UVA . wow is one years win better than the next years lose.
Why is it you pick and choose what comments to post.Many of my comments polite i may add have been removed?This site should be ashamed!
i’m not a skip holtz fan. he had a good run in greeneville and that’s that. if noone in p & g knew he was going to leave, everyone else in the state knew. he’s just like his daddy, gone to the highest bidder.. wait and see what he does at south florida. south florida is already intact and has a decent recruiting history. he may be there three seasons and gone. i don’t believe there can be a real comparison b/t NCSU and ecu. our facilities are far greater, our fan base is the most loyal crowd around ntm very pretty savvy with football iq. now if ecu were to join a real conference, then things could change?? maybe. but to specifically compare the fanbase is not worth discussing..
VaWolf82
Wow! Penetrating analysis…LOL!
sure, we’ve lost to ecu before. i’ve seen some solid ecu teams and outstanding players come from ecu. the point is, your not going to find many NCSU fans that would consider ecu an ACC caliber success story. i believe we were ranked the 4th strongest conference this year, and we were really down this season. all in all, the entire conference is upward mobile with some of the best coaches in college football. look for the ACC to be at or near the top of power rankings for the next few years. look for conference usa to be at or near the top of the relevance conversation.
Holland should give John Thompson another chance imo.