Brian Rucker - Director of Player Development - Football Support Staff

Brian Rucker

Title:
Director of Player Development
Email:
ruckerb26@ecu.edu

Brian Rucker, who has nearly 20 years of Division I football experience, is in his first season with East Carolina where he serves as the Director of Player Development, a position he began on Feb. 19, 2026.

In his new role, Rucker’s primary responsibilities will be coordinating the program’s life skills, academic and mentoring support system, while spearheading the Pirates’ community relations outreach efforts. He will also work with student-athletes supporting professional preparation and agent communication.

Prior to his arrival in Greenville, Rucker spent eight years at The Citadel as the wide receivers coach and serving as the NFL Pro Liaison. He mentored one of the Bulldog’s all-time receivers in Raleigh Webb who caught 102 passes for 2,151 yards and 22 TDs during his five-year career. A first-team all-conference selection in 2019, Webb posted 30 receptions for 617 yards and 10 touchdowns becoming the first player at The Citadel to reach double digit touchdowns since Andre Roberts (2008).

Webb caught at least one touchdown in nine games during the 2019 season and posted three 100-yard performances. Against Samford, Webb hauled in a pair of touchdowns, including an 84-yarder. It is tied for the second-longest reception in school history. On the other side, Ryan McCarthy added 11 catches for 197 yards and a 53-yard touchdown against Chattanooga.

In 2018, Webb caught three passes over 65 yards, including a school-record 91-yard touchdown against Furman. He also scored on a 59-yard reverse and returned a kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown. The group has helped the Bulldogs be among the top rushing teams in the FCS. The Citadel has ranked in the Top 10 nationally in each of the past six seasons.

Webb was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team in 2017 after averaging 25.5 yards per catch.

The record-setting 2016 season had a senior-laden group that all set single-game career highs during the season. Brian Rudder averaged 18.7 yards per reception, while DeAndre Schultz and Jorian Jordan averaged 13.5 and 12.5 yards per reception, respectively. The Bulldogs posted a 10-2 overall record, claimed the SoCon Title with an 8-0 ledger and advanced to the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

Prior to joining the Bulldogs’ staff, Rucker spent five seasons coaching the wide receivers at Presbyterian. He also worked with the special teams during his time with the Blue Hose.

In 2014, Rucker helped PC to its first winning season as a Division I program and saw head coach Harold Nicholls named Big South Coach of the Year. Rucker tutored All-Big South receiver Tobi Antigha who led the conference by averaging 5.8 receptions per game. His 53 catches were the third most in Division I history at the school.

While coaching the special teams, Rucker tutored returners Michal Ruff (2012) and Jeremiah McKie (2013) to all-conference honors.

Rucker spent two years coaching at Lenoir-Rhyne, working with the tight ends in 2008 and the wide receivers in 2009.

He began his coaching career at Western Carolina where he coached Lamont Reid, who signed with the Tennessee Titans, and Darius Fudge, who was just the sixth student-athlete in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.

In 2004, he was a student assistant in WCU’s academic enhancement program.

A four-year letterwinner at Western Carolina, Rucker finished his collegiate career with 44 receptions for 558 yards. A 2004 graduate of WCU, Rucker earned his undergraduate degree in business administration.