ECU Sports
Teri Lajeunese, Sports Information Director
ADA – After 11 years total, including the last nine, East Central University Head Football Coach Tim McCarty has announced his resignation. McCarty started his time with the Tigers in 2004 and 2005 before returning to coach the last nine seasons (2009).
“Coach McCarty has established his own legacy in rebuilding the ECU football program across the board,” Director of Athletics Dr. Jeff Williams said. “Tim took the reins of our program on two different occasions, first in 2004 and again in 2009, and both times had immediate success moving our program forward”.
“Equally important is the impact he had on players’ lives during his time at ECU. Tim’s passion for coaching and developing young players into men of character is evident and his influence on their lives is immeasurable. I am forever grateful for his contributions to ECU Tigers Football, our university and our community. Tim is a good coach, a good man and a good friend.”
“It has been an honor to serve as this program’s head coach. I am very honored to have had this opportunity,” McCarty stated. “I have really enjoyed being able to develop these young men, both on and off the field. The coaches who have worked with me have been a true blessing. Both, the players (former and current) and coaches have been terrific. I want to thank East Central University’s faculty and staff for the support that was given, and the people in the Ada community who made us feel a part of it.”
McCarty leaves the Tigers after helping the program grow both on the field and off. During his stint with ECU, he produced five players that advanced to the National Football League, eight all-Americans and 108 all-conference selections.
The Tigers also claimed the 2010 Lone Star Conference North Division title and produced the most wins (8) in a single season since 1993 when the team claimed its only National Championship. More recently, McCarty saw the 2014 team advance to the postseason for the first time since 1993 and their first bowl game since 1975 when ECU participated in the H.E.A.R.T. of Texas Bowl.
McCarty was steadfast in helping young coaches during his time at ECU. There are currently 23 college coaches and countless high school coaches across the region that McCarty coached and mentored during his time at ECU. In ECU’s post-season return in 2014, three members of the opposing coaching staff coached and/or played for McCarty during his time at ECU.
Coach McCarty also raised the academic expectations within the program, as ECU football players are now graduating at a higher rate and the team GPA has consistently increased since McCarty returned in 2009. In his time at the helm of the Tigers, there have been a total of 40 all-academic selections.
“Coach McCarty was committed to providing support and guidance to our student-athletes in order for them to become successful Tigers, on and off the field,” said ECU President Dr. Katricia Pierson. “He has been committed to recruiting student-athletes that will help the team maintain a higher GPA than the university GPA and have players that are graduating at a high rate and going on to successful careers.”
During McCarty’s tenure, the program has seen several improvement projects, including renovation of the Elvan George facility, dedication of the Pat O’Neal Strength & Conditioning Center, installation of an artificial playing surface, and the construction of Chickasaw Plaza.
A national search for the Tigers next head coach will begin immediately. In the interim, Williams has selected offensive coordinator Rashad Jackson to lead the team.