ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit delivered a pointed message for East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell, emphasizing that building a successful program requires more than chasing high-profile recruits or transfer portal stars.
Herbstreit highlighted recent examples from programs like Miami, Ole Miss, and Indiana, showing that rapid success is possible when teams combine talent with culture, structure, and identity. He stressed that ECU must focus on recruiting players who fit the Pirates’ system and contribute to a cohesive, disciplined team rather than relying solely on individual star power.
“You can’t just chase five-star players and hope to get here,” Herbstreit said, via On3 Sports. “You have to build a team. You have to find players who want to be part of what you’re creating. … Use the portal if you need it, but it’s about building a roster with identity and balance.”
ECU has been active in recruiting and the transfer portal as Harrell works to strengthen the Pirates’ position in the American Athletic Conference. Herbstreit warned that focusing only on talent without cohesion or culture could prevent sustained success, a lesson evident across modern college football programs.
Programs like Indiana, Miami, and Ole Miss demonstrate that rapid turnarounds are possible—but only when leadership, discipline, and culture are prioritized alongside talent. Herbstreit believes that if Harrell and ECU follow this blueprint, the Pirates can elevate their program, achieve balance, and compete at a higher level in the near future.
