RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA (TICKER) -- East Carolina football coach John Thompson, who has won just three games over the last two years, resigned Wednesday, effective at the end of the season.
Thompson has guided East Carolina to just a 3-18 record since taking over for Steve Logan in December 2002. The Pirates, who play Memphis on Saturday before finishing their season November 27 against North Carolina State, are 2-7 this season, including 2-5 in Conference USA.
"I want to thank the players, staff, families and the entire Pirate Nation for their support and kindness," Thompson said in a statement. "Greenville has been our home and the people here are great."
Thompson had spent 22 years as an assistant before being hired to take over for Logan. The 1978 graduate of Central Arkansas spent 19 seasons as defensive coordinator at four Southeastern Conference schools - Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and LSU. He had just completed his first season at Florida when he was tabbed by East Carolina.
The Pirates went 1-11 last season and lost their first four games this season. The offense ranks last in the conference in scoring and total offense and 10th in the 11-team league in total defense.
East Carolina athletics director Terry Holland indicated a search to replace Thompson would begin at the end of the season.
"After these two games are played, we will turn our attention to a search for a new coach," Holland. "Our first option will be to seek a coach with a successful record at the Division I level."