East Carolina has hired Joe Dooley as head coach for a second time in program history, according to a release from the school.
Dooley was head coach at the school from 1995 through 1999 while also serving as an assistant for the Pirates from 1991 through 1995.
The former Florida Gulf Coast head coach is a more seasoned veteran the second time around after spending time under Bill Self at Kansas and with the Eagles as head coach the past five years. Dooley was the youngest head coach in Division I basketball (29) the first time the Pirates hired him in 1995. Now he is coming off of five straight 20-win seasons and postseason appearances.
Dooley made two NCAA tournament appearances and two NIT trips at Florida Gulf Coast. A noted recruiter, Dooley did a great job with transfers at Florida Gulf Coast during his recent tenure. It’ll be interesting to see how much Dooley uses that approach during his second tenure at East Carolina.