Search for football coach continues, Stockstill passes

The search for the next football coach at East Carolina continues tonight.

Rick Stockstill announced today he will not take an offer to become the new football coach at ECU.

The search has been on since Skip Holtz left for South Florida last week, but it's far from over.

The search may just be beginning. Again.

Rick Stockstill said today that it was pretty much a matter of terrible timing, with the national signing day just two weeks away. So Stockstill stays on at Middle Tennessee State and the Pirates continue to search for a new football coach.

Pirate brass were apparently hunkered down with a search that now doesn't include Rick Stockstill.

The search goes on.

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--- Morning Edition & Noon Report ----

Eyewitness News 9 has learned that Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill has turned down an offer at East Carolina to become the school's head football coach.

Stockstill was offered the job on Monday. He told ECU officials this morning that he would remain on at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Former Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson, who is currently on the head coach at Bowling Green, is believed to be next on the ECU radar. Grambling coach Rod Broadway has also reportedly talked with ECU about the vacant head coaching position.

We'll have more information as it becomes available.

--- 6PM & Nightside Update ---

East Carolina won't confirm, but Rick Stockstill told a Nashville television station that he does have an offer from ECU.

Stockstill spoke to WKRN-TV this afternoon and told them that the offer was made, and that he and his family were considering that offer tonight.

Sources in Greenville indicate that contract would be in the five year, five million dollar neighborhood.

ECU officials tell me they are still in "search mode". East Carolina is looking for a replacement for Skip Holtz, who left the Pirates to take over as head coach at the University of South Florida.

--- Noon Report ---

GREENVILLE- East Carolina and Middle Tennessee Coach Rick Stockstill appear to be moving closer to a deal.

WKRN-TV in Nashville, Tennessee reported that Stockstill has been offered the job.

ECU officials would not confirm or deny the report. One official said to, "hang tight."

One former Pirate assistant coach says it's his understanding that Stockstill has made several calls today to potential assistant coaches that might be willing to work on his staff at ECU, if the deal does go through.

Stockstill has a 27-23 record in four years at Middle Tennessee.

Stockstill was the East Carolina offensive coordinator in 2003 under then head coach John Thompson.

--- Morning Edition Report ---

The Pirates are working to find a new football coach, and a Tennessee man may be interested in the job.

According to ESPN, Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill is interviewing for the East Carolina opening.

On Friday, ECU Athletic Director Terry Holland said the Pirates would begin working to find a new football coach, after Skip Holtz left for South Florida.

Holtz made the announcement on Thursday.

Stockstill has a 27-23 record in four years at Middle Tennessee.

At one time, Stockstill served as ECU’s offensive coordinator.