Football Announces Staff Additions/Promotions
March 20, 2026 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina Head Football Coach Blake Harrell announced the additions/promotions of eight individuals to the Pirate program on Friday.
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"I am thrilled to announce the newest members of our staff," Harrell said. "Throughout their careers, each has developed a proven track record of success, which will continue to elevate our program on and off the field. We are excited to welcome them to Greenville and Pirate Nation."
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Lance Ware, who previously served as the director of player personnel/recruiting in 2025, has been named to the chief of staff role where he will support Harrell and the staff in a variety of different roles such as roster management, day-to-day operations, recruiting and other football assignments. Taryn Smith has been hired as to the director of on campus recruiting after working as a graduate assistant in recruiting while completing her master's degree in sport management at ECU.
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Other additions to the Pirate staff are Devontay Love-Taylor (director of player personnel/recruiting and general manager), Brian Rucker (director of player development), Caedon Malone (senior offensive analyst), John Straniero (senior defensive analyst), Ayden Ressa (offensive graduate assistant coach) and Teagan Wilk (defensive graduate assistant coach/recruiting).
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East Carolina Football Additions/Promotions
Lance Ware: Chief of Staff
Devontay Love-Taylor: Director of Player Personnel/Recruiting & General Manager
Brian Rucker: Director of Player Development
Caedon Malone: Senior Offensive Analyst
John Straniero: Senior Defensive Analyst
Ayden Ressa: Offensive Graduate Assistant Coach
Teagan Wilk: Defensive Graduate Assistant Coach/Recruiting
Taryn Smith: Director of On-Campus Recruiting
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Harrell and his staff concluded the second of two "acclimation" practice sessions in shorts and helmets Friday morning and will return to the field on Monday, March 23.
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"I am thrilled to announce the newest members of our staff," Harrell said. "Throughout their careers, each has developed a proven track record of success, which will continue to elevate our program on and off the field. We are excited to welcome them to Greenville and Pirate Nation."
Â
Lance Ware, who previously served as the director of player personnel/recruiting in 2025, has been named to the chief of staff role where he will support Harrell and the staff in a variety of different roles such as roster management, day-to-day operations, recruiting and other football assignments. Taryn Smith has been hired as to the director of on campus recruiting after working as a graduate assistant in recruiting while completing her master's degree in sport management at ECU.
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Other additions to the Pirate staff are Devontay Love-Taylor (director of player personnel/recruiting and general manager), Brian Rucker (director of player development), Caedon Malone (senior offensive analyst), John Straniero (senior defensive analyst), Ayden Ressa (offensive graduate assistant coach) and Teagan Wilk (defensive graduate assistant coach/recruiting).
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East Carolina Football Additions/Promotions
Lance Ware: Chief of Staff
Devontay Love-Taylor: Director of Player Personnel/Recruiting & General Manager
Brian Rucker: Director of Player Development
Caedon Malone: Senior Offensive Analyst
John Straniero: Senior Defensive Analyst
Ayden Ressa: Offensive Graduate Assistant Coach
Teagan Wilk: Defensive Graduate Assistant Coach/Recruiting
Taryn Smith: Director of On-Campus Recruiting
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Harrell and his staff concluded the second of two "acclimation" practice sessions in shorts and helmets Friday morning and will return to the field on Monday, March 23.
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