The East Carolina Pirates have named Blake Harrell their 23rd head coach after he served four games in the interim role.
In 2020, he joined Mike Houston’s staff as the inside linebacker’s coach. Four years later, he took the helm from Houston and led a seemingly sinking ship to four straight victories and a bowl berth. Here are the details of Harrell’s new contract, as well as his updated net worth.
Blake Harrell’s Salary and Contract in 2024
East Carolina fired Houston after a 3-4 start to his sixth campaign, which had the program staring down the barrel of its fourth losing season in his tenure. Harrell, the team’s LBs coach and defensive coordinator, received the interim head coach label and immediately provided results: four straight wins.
While it may have appeared easy on the outside, it was anything but on the inside.
“What I was worried about was somebody would see that stress on me, so I knew every time I got out of bed, I had to go win the day myself,” Harrell said. “I had to make sure nobody knew the stress of pressure I put on myself at times.”
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On Nov. 27, the Board of Trustees finalized a four-year contract for Harrell, reportedly worth $1.3 million annually ($700,000 base and $600,000 supplemental pay). His official tenure as head coach will begin on Dec. 1, 2024.
As with most deals, Harrell’s come equipped with several incentives, including for win totals, bowl appearances, and wins over Power Five opponents, although those details have not been publicly released.
Additionally, if the Pirates make a bowl game during the 2025, 2026, or 2027 seasons, Harrell will receive an automatic one-year extension.
Harrell’s Net Worth
According to USA Today, Harrell made $1,106,674 over his first three years with Pirates, including a $25,600 one-time retention bonus for being with the university on Oct. 1, 2022.
If we add in his projected 2024 salary, new deal as a head coach, and former contracts with the Kennesaw State Owls ($68,102) and The Citadel ($290,000), Harrell’s net worth is roughly $3,110,849.
However, his seven-year tenure at Lenoir-Rhyne University remains unaccounted for, as the private institution does not disclose coaching salaries.
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A 2021 Broyles Award nominee, Harrell transformed East Carolina’s defense, guiding the unit to its best four-year stretch since 2012-15 and mentoring stars like 2022 All-American Ja’Quan McMillian.
Before ECU, Harrell led successful defenses at Kennesaw State and The Citadel, achieving FCS playoff berths and Southern Conference titles. His collegiate career began at Lenoir-Rhyne, where he shaped their defensive run game, special teams, and recruiting. Prior to that, Harrell spent several years in the North Carolina high school coaching scene.
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