Auburn LB coach Josh Aldridge agrees to become East Carolina defensive coordinator, per report

Auburn linebacker coach Josh Aldridge has agreed to a two-year deal to be the defensive coordinator at East Carolina, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The deal will be finalized in the upcoming days. He is the former defensive coordinator for the Liberty Flames.

The ECU defense ranked 85th in the country in scoring defense this year, allowing 27.8 points per game in 12 games. Their pass defense ranked 96th in the nation, allowing 235.8 yards per outing. Their run defense didn’t fare much better, ranking 93rd in the country, allowing 167.5 yards per game.

Aldridge came to Auburn in December of 2022. During his playing days, he was a William V. Campbell Trophy Award semifinalist. Before joining Auburn, he spent four years as a defensive coach for the Liberty Flames, including the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2022.

In 2022, the Liberty defense was first nationally in tackles for loss, fourth in team sacks, 15th in passes intercepted, and 25th in first down defense. Flames defensive end Durrell Johnson led the nation in tackles for loss (22.5) and was tied for third in the country in fumbles recovered (three). Aldridge also served as the interim head coach for Liberty’s bowl game.

The Liberty defense finished the 2021 campaign ranked No. 6 in the country in passing yards allowed (180.3 per game), No. 11 in red zone defense (72.5 percent), total defense (320.2 yards allowed per game), and No. 24 in scoring defense (21.5 points allowed per game).

Before joining Liberty, Aldridge served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Lenoir-Rhyne during the 2018 campaign. The Bears had a 12-2 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 finals.