East Carolina fired coach Scottie Montgomery on Thursday after three seasons.
Defensive coordinator David Blackwell will coach the Pirates (3-8) in their season finale on Saturday at NC State.
“As much as we would have liked the outcome to be different, the progress of a program is ultimately measured by its competitiveness, win total and championships,” ECU chancellor Cecil P. Staton said in a statement. “It is our decision to move in a different direction with new leadership.
“He cared deeply for his players, was an outstanding mentor, and always focused on the word ‘student’ in student-athlete. We wish him all the best.”
East Carolina is also still seeking a new athletic director after Jeff Compher stepped down on May 1. Whomever is hired for that position will finalize the hiring of the new football coach, the school said.
Montgomery was 9-26 overall at ECU, including a 4-20 mark in the American Athletic Conference.
He had two years left on his contract with a base salary of $400,000 that will be paid by the athletics department, the school said.