2009 East Carolina Pirates football team

2009 East Carolina Pirates football
C-USA champion
C-USA East Division champion
Liberty Bowl, L 17–20 OT vs. Arkansas
ConferenceConference USA
DivisionEast
Record9–5 (7–1 C-USA)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinators
  • Steve Shankweiler (5th season)
  • Todd Fitch (3rd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorGreg Hudson (5th season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumDowdy–Ficklen Stadium
2009 Conference USA football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
East Carolina x$  7 1   9 5  
UCF  6 2   8 5  
Southern Miss  5 3   7 6  
Marshall  4 4   7 6  
UAB  4 4   5 7  
Memphis  1 7   2 10  
West Division
Houston xy  6 2   10 4  
SMU x  6 2   8 5  
Tulsa  3 5   5 7  
UTEP  3 5   4 8  
Rice  2 6   2 10  
Tulane  1 7   3 9  
Championship: East Carolina 38, Houston 32
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2009 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season and played their home games in Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. The team was coached by Skip Holtz, who was in his fifth and final year with the program. The 2009 Pirates were defending their first ever Conference USA Football Championship.

The Pirates finished the season 9–5, 7–1 in CUSA play, winning the East Division in their final regular season game against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 25-20, and won their second consecutive CUSA Championship Game 38–32 against the Houston Cougars in Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. The Pirates were invited to their second consecutive Liberty Bowl where they were defeated by Arkansas 20–17 in overtime.