What Is 1970 East Carolina Pirates football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1970 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University during the 1970 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 5–5 record under head coach Mike McGee. They played their home games at Ficklen Memorial Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina, and competed as an independent team without conference affiliation.

Key Facts

1970 East Carolina Pirates finished with a 5–5 overall record
Team was led by head coach Mike McGee in his fifth season
Played home games at Ficklen Memorial Stadium in Greenville, NC
Competed as an independent with no conference affiliation
Defeated in-state rival NC State 14–13 on September 26, 1970

Overview

The 1970 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Mike McGee, who was in his fifth year at the helm. The Pirates played their home games at Ficklen Memorial Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina, and finished the season with a balanced 5–5 overall record.

Despite not being part of a formal conference, the 1970 squad faced a challenging schedule that included several in-state rivals and regional opponents. Their season was highlighted by a narrow 14–13 victory over NC State on September 26, a significant win given the Wolfpack’s larger program status. The team showed improvement in consistency compared to previous years under McGee’s leadership.

5–5 record: The Pirates ended the 1970 season with five wins and five losses, marking one of the more balanced seasons in program history up to that point.
Mike McGee: In his fifth season as head coach, McGee emphasized discipline and defensive improvement, shaping the team’s identity through structured play-calling.
Ficklen Memorial Stadium: The team played all home games at this 37,000-seat stadium, which has been the Pirates’ home since 1963.
Independent status: Without conference affiliation, East Carolina scheduled opponents independently, facing a mix of regional and national teams.
NC State victory: A 14–13 win over NC State on September 26, 1970, stood out as a major upset and a highlight of the season.

Season Schedule and Results

The 1970 campaign featured a mix of in-state matchups and regional opponents, with no postseason bowl appearance. The Pirates demonstrated resilience in close games, winning three of their five victories by seven points or fewer.

September 12: Opened the season with a 21–14 win over Richmond, showcasing a balanced offensive attack.
September 19: Lost 20–14 to Virginia Tech in a hard-fought road game marked by defensive stands.
September 26: Defeated NC State 14–13 in Greenville, capitalizing on a late turnover to secure the win.
October 3: Suffered a 34–14 defeat to Southern Miss, exposing gaps in secondary coverage.
October 10: Won 24–10 over Western Michigan, with quarterback Terry Hendrix throwing two touchdown passes.
October 17: Lost 17–7 to Marshall, struggling against the Thundering Herd’s powerful rushing game.
October 24: Beat Appalachian State 20–13, improving to 3–3 with a strong fourth-quarter stand.
October 31: Lost 24–7 to Toledo, unable to contain the Rockets’ high-powered offense.
November 7: Won 17–14 over VMI, thanks to a last-minute field goal.
November 14: Closed the season with a 28–14 loss to South Carolina, finishing 5–5 overall.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1970 season to surrounding years illustrates the team’s transitional phase under Mike McGee.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Conference	Notable Result
1968	6–4	Mike McGee	Independent	Beat Cincinnati 35–14
1969	5–5	Mike McGee	Independent	Lost to Toledo 20–17
1970	5–5	Mike McGee	Independent	Beat NC State 14–13
1971	4–7	Mike McGee	Independent	Lost to NC State 24–10
1972	7–4	Ed Emory	Independent	Bowl-eligible season

The table shows that 1970 was consistent with the program’s performance in the late 1960s and early 1970s. While not a breakout year, it maintained competitive balance and set the stage for future improvements. The win over NC State remained a point of pride for fans and alumni.

Why It Matters

The 1970 season reflects a pivotal era in East Carolina football history, as the program worked to establish credibility against larger state schools. Though modest in overall results, the season contributed to long-term growth and fan engagement.

Building identity: Competing as an independent allowed ECU to schedule strategically and build a regional reputation.
NC State rivalry: The 1970 win intensified the in-state rivalry, which later evolved into a more consistent series.
Coaching continuity: Mike McGee’s tenure laid groundwork for future success, including bowl eligibility in 1972.
Player development: The season helped develop future team leaders and contributed to recruiting momentum.
Fan engagement: Close games and a major upset boosted attendance and local support at Ficklen Stadium.
Historical context: The 1970 team is remembered as part of ECU’s journey toward becoming a Football Bowl Subdivision power.

Today, the 1970 East Carolina Pirates are recognized as a transitional team that helped bridge the gap between early program struggles and future success in the 1970s and beyond.