Former SEC head coach mentioned as potential target for vacant ECU job

Not long after ECU fired coach Scottie Montgomery on Thursday, a few names were floated as his potential replacement.

One of them is a recent SEC head coach.

Butch Jones, who coached Tennessee from 2013-17, is on the Pirates’ radar as they begin their coaching search, according to a tweet from the Associated Press’ Ralph D. Russo.

The name I was told to watch for here is Butch Jones.

But ECU doesn't have an AD yet _ maybe soon with Jon Gilbert coming from Southern Miss.

So exactly who is running the show _ Dave Hart?? _ going forward is unclear. https://t.co/0FfseKbQoD

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 29, 2018

Jones is currently an analyst on Nick Saban’s Alabama staff, which has served as a great springboard for other coaches in recent years. ECU could do worse than a former SEC head coach that showed promise but failed to break through, especially one who worked in a neighboring state and is familiar with recruiting in the area.

Of course, this is all speculation at this point, not to mention that the Pirates are also searching for a new athletic director. But it wouldn’t be that big of a surprise to see Jones get the job.