AD Gilbert, ECU agree to new contract

AD Gilbert, ECU agree to new contract

GREENVILLE, N.C. (2/13/2026) - East Carolina University Board of Trustees today approved a three-year contract extension for Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert, following a recommendation from Chancellor Philip Rogers to the board during its regularly scheduled meeting.

Gilbert will continue as ECU's Director of Athletics through December 2029, according to the contract. He came to ECU in December 2018 after serving as athletics director at the University of Southern Mississippi.

"Since my arrival at ECU, I have worked closely with Jon and have consistently seen his unwavering dedication to this university, our athletics program, and - most importantly - our student-athletes," said Rogers. "His commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom guides every decision he makes. Jon is widely respected across the national collegiate athletics landscape and within the American Conference as a thoughtful, influential athletics executive who consistently leads with integrity. I am grateful for his leadership and his continued commitment to ECU."

Over the last four years, Gilbert has steered ECU Athletics through a period of unprecedented financial growth and academic achievement. Under his leadership, the Pirate Club achieved its most productive four-year stretch in history, surpassing $103 million in new gifts and commitments as of February 2026. This fundraising success has fueled major facility milestones, including the $10.3 million expansion of Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Academically, the department reached a historic peak in the 2024-25 academic year with a record-breaking student-athlete GPA of 3.33. Gilbert also secured long-term stability for the department through a massive multimedia rights agreement with Playfly Sports through 2034 and has navigated the modern name, image and likeness (NIL) licensing era by establishing new philanthropic initiatives such as the Purple & Gold Society.

Under Gilbert's leadership, ECU Athletics and the Pirate Club launched the Pirates Unite Campaign in 2022, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the history of ECU Athletics. Numerous projects have been funded with the Isley Indoor Performance Center, Dick and Sarah Bennett Baseball Building, and the ECU Golf Facility by the Varner Family and Golf Building expected to be completed in 2026. The seven largest one-time gifts in Pirate Club history have been secured during his tenure.

"I am grateful to Chancellor Rogers for his leadership and his unwavering support throughout my time at ECU, and I sincerely appreciate the commitment of our Board of Trustees, amazing athletics staff, coaches, administrators and student-athletes," Gilbert said. "We are well-positioned for the future as collegiate athletics continues to evolve. Pirate Nation is unmatched, and together we will build on our momentum and ensure our student-athletes and coaches have the resources needed to compete at a championship level in the classroom and in the field of play."

Gilbert also served as chairman of the American Conference Athletics Directors' Committee and was named to the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee in 2023.

"Jon Gilbert is a strong, strategic leader and a highly respected voice in collegiate athletics and in the American Conference. We are so pleased that he will continue to lead East Carolina Athletics," said American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti. "Strategic leadership is critical as collegiate athletics continues its rapid evolution, and we look forward to Jon's continued contributions in Greenville, in the conference, and across our industry."

ECU finished second among American Conference teams in the 2024-25 Learfield Director's Cup standings, the highest finish among member institutions in the athletics department's history.

ECU Board of Trustees Chair Cassie Burt said she appreciates Gilbert's steady, discerning leadership. "As collegiate athletics continues to evolve, I know that Jon Gilbert strives to keep what is best for the university and our student-athletes as his focus and that of the dedicated staff working in ECU Athletics."

Gilbert is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, where he was a three-year letterman on the football team. He earned a master's degree in sport administration at Eastern Kentucky University while working as a graduate assistant football coach. The Colonels captured one Ohio Valley Conference championship and earned two berths in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs during his tenure.

Contact: Jeannine Hutson, chief communications officer and director of communications, [email protected]

Telephone: 252-328-6481

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About East Carolina University

Founded in 1907 as a teacher's college, East Carolina University (ECU) is a Carnegie R1 designated research institution that is a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation. ECU is a member of the University of North Carolina System and serves nearly 27,000 students through more than 160 degree programs. The university advances innovation and discovery in health care, coastal resilience, education and regional economic growth. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU is committed to being a national leader in community-focused innovation, bringing meaningful impact across the state and nation.

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