GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell announced Monday that Jordon Hankins has been appointed the Pirates’ new defensive coordinator.
Hankins joins ECU after spending five seasons at the University of Memphis, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2024–25, linebackers coach from 2021–25, and assistant special teams coordinator between 2021–23.
During the 2025 season, Memphis posted an 8–5 record and earned a berth in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The Tigers’ defense ranked inside the FBS top 50 in six major categories, including red-zone defense, defensive touchdowns, interceptions, rushing defense, turnovers gained, and fourth-down defense. Four defensive players earned All-American Conference honors under Hankins’ guidance.
The 2024 campaign marked a major step forward for the Tigers, as they led the nation with 15 fumble recoveries and finished tied for second nationally with a +18 turnover margin. Memphis forced 26 turnovers overall, six more than the previous season.
One of the most dramatic improvements came against the run. After allowing 156.5 rushing yards per game in 2023, Memphis vaulted to 15th nationally in 2024, surrendering just 111.8 yards per contest—its best mark since 2003. The Tigers also limited opponents to 67 or fewer rushing yards six times in 13 games.
Memphis recorded 25 sacks in 2024, two more than the year prior, and improved its scoring defense from 92nd nationally to 55th, allowing just 23.8 points per game—the program’s best since 2014. Total defense jumped from 111th in 2023 to 66th in 2024, while first-down defense climbed from 83rd to 16th nationally.
Since taking over defensive play-calling duties prior to the 2023 AutoZone Liberty Bowl win over Iowa State, Hankins’ impact has been evident. In that game, Memphis held the Cyclones to zero rushing yards on 20 attempts—the fewest allowed by the program since 1993. The Tigers also recorded their most tackles for loss in a game since 2018 with 12 against Florida State.
As interim defensive coordinator in 2023, Hankins helped lead Memphis to a 10–3 season and a Liberty Bowl victory, just the fifth 10-win campaign in program history. That defense ranked among the nation’s best in fourth-down defense, defensive touchdowns, and third-down efficiency.
Hankins’ players consistently earned individual recognition, including multiple All-AAC selections at linebacker and special teams throughout his tenure. Memphis also excelled defensively in 2022, ranking among national leaders in penalties, interceptions, and turnovers gained while winning the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.
Before Memphis, Hankins spent a season at Marshall, helping guide the Thundering Herd to a Conference USA Championship Game appearance and a bowl berth. Earlier in his career, he spent a decade at UT Martin, including three years as defensive coordinator, where his defenses ranked among the best nationally and within the Ohio Valley Conference.
Hankins began his coaching career at Riverdale High School in Tennessee. A former UT Martin linebacker from 2001–03, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university.
A native of Hohenwald, Tenn., Hankins was a multi-sport standout in high school and a Mr. Football finalist in 1998. He and his wife, Christa, have three children: Colt, Case, and Jolee Faye.
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