Report: ECU’s John David Baker to take OC job at Ole Miss

by | Dec 9, 2025

East Carolina University offensive coordinator John David Baker has accepted the same position at Ole Miss, according to CBS Sports, which broke the news on social media, and ESPN.

According to ECU Sports Information, Baker was finishing up his second season as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. He began working there on Dec. 1, 2023.

He has previous stops at Ole Miss, North Texas and Southern Cal.

In 2024, the Pirates were among college football balls top teams in five different categories:

— 3rd down conversion percentage (24th/0.451)

— total offense per game (24th/436.4 ypg)

— passing yards per completion (26th/13.30)

— passing offense (27th/264.0 pg)

He was a 2024 Broyles Award nominee, which recognizes the top assistant football coach in the country. He helped the Pirates to an 8-5 overall record, 5-3 in the then-AAC (now American Conference). The Pirates were 5-1 after Blake Harrell took over as head football coach, including a 26–21 win over NC State in the Military Bowl.

This season, the Pirates are 8-4 overall and awaiting the announcement of the ball game, which will come on Sunday.

This season, Baker’s offense was among the best in the country in several categories:

— 466.3 total yards per game

— 286.7 passing yards

— 66.1% passing completion rate

— 5,576 total yards

— Quarterback Katin Houser had 3,368 passing yards, 238 completions on 360 attempts, 20 TDs, 6 interceptions

Top Headlines

ECU Pirate Club to launch 50/50 raffle at home football games

The ECU Pirate Club is introducing 50/50 raffles, which will be held leading up to each home football game this season, the organization has announced. Dr Check out Pirate Radio Download our mobile app now! Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram |...

PRL Wednesday: Halfway to ECU football home opener on Saturday

Wednesday's edition of "Pirate Radio Live" takes us one step closer to Saturday's ECU football home opener with Appalachian State. We'll speak with Adam Witten, the ASU play-by-play voice, to get his thoughts on Saturday's game. We'll also be joined by a host of...

The Brian Bailey Show: Andrew Bayes and Junior Smith

Tuesday's edition of "The Brian Bailey Show" will feature two ECU Hall of Famers. Andrew Bayes and Junior Smith will be on to talk about ECU's loss to Alabama last Saturday and the home opener this Saturday against Appalachian State. Bailey will also have additional...

PRL Monday: Shifting focus from Alabama to Appalachian State

It's Monday, and we're laboring forward with the Labor Day edition of "Pirate Radio Live." We'll have more reactions from Saturday's season-opening loss at Alabama, and begin looking at Saturday's noon home opener between the Pirates and Appalachian State. WNCT's...

Pirates drop opener at No. 13 Alabama, 48-10

East Carolina's football team dropped its season opener on Saturday, 48-10 against Alabama. Check out Pirate Radio Download our mobile app now! Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify ===== Photo and story by ECU...