John David Baker Leaving ECU for Ole Miss After Two Seasons

East Carolina’s coaching staff is undergoing major changes for the second straight day and this one hits the heart of the program.

ECU offensive coordinator John David Baker is leaving the Pirates after two seasons, returning to Ole Miss to take over as the Rebels’ offensive coordinator, per a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. The move comes less than 24 hours after defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge accepted the same role at USF, creating a rare double-loss for the program ahead of bowl preparation.

Baker, one of the fastest-rising offensive coaches in the nation, had reportedly interviewed with Virginia Tech and Ole Miss before choosing to return to Oxford, where he spent three seasons from 2021–23. He will now work under new head coach Pete Golding, who is rebuilding a staff after Lane Kiffin and much of his offensive personnel departed for LSU. Baker was also considered a strong candidate at South Carolina earlier this offseason.

A Transformational Two-Year Run in Greenville

Baker departs after orchestrating one of the most impressive offensive rebuilds in ECU history.

In 2025, the Pirates finished:

• 15th nationally in total offense (460.4 yards per game)

• 31st in scoring offense (32.7 points per game)

This surge followed a dramatic Year 1 improvement in 2024, when ECU jumped from the bottom of the national rankings in almost every statistical category during the 2-10 campaign in 2023 to:

• 24th in total offense

• 27th in passing offense

• 24th in third-down conversions

Baker’s system and his quarterback development were at the center of it all.

Katin Houser’s Rise Under Baker

Perhaps Baker’s most important move at ECU was attracting Katin Houser from the transfer portal. Houser blossomed into one of the American’s elite quarterbacks under Baker’s direction, completing 66% of his passes for 3,300 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, while adding nine rushing touchdowns.

Given Houser still has one year of eligibility left, Baker’s exit immediately raises questions about the star quarterback’s next step. His decision will now be one of the most closely watched storylines in Pirate Nation.

What Comes Next for the Pirates

Blake Harrell and ECU now face the challenge of replacing both coordinators in a 48-hour span, a rare and pivotal moment for a program that just finished 8-4 and reached back-to-back bowl games for the first time in a decade.

The Pirates’ offensive identity, recruiting momentum, and Houser’s future all hinge on the next hire.

One thing is certain: Baker’s two-year impact won’t be forgotten anytime soon.