ECU hires Jules Montinar as cornerbacks coach

ECU has hired Temple cornerbacks coach Jules Montinar to take over the same role for the Pirates in 2023, according to On3’s Matt Zenitz. In addition to cornerbacks coach, Montinar will also serve as the defensive game coordinator.

Prior to joining Temple in 2022, Montinar was the cornerbacks coach at Florida in 2021. He helped the Gators to rank as the No. 4 pass defense in the SEC that season, allowing 203.9 air yards per game.

Montinar was also a defensive quality control assistant for Georgia in 2019 and served as a graduate assistant at Alabama from 2012-13, working under Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. His other stops include Texas State (2016-18) and James Madison (2014-15).

The Crimson Tide won a BCS national championship in Montinar’s first season, defeating Notre Dame. That same season, Alabama posted four shutouts and held six opponents to 10 points or less while leading the nation in rush defense, total defense and scoring defense.

Jules Montinar will hope to bring similar results as he replaces Steve Ellis, who left to become the cornerbacks coach at Louisville. ECU is coming off of an 8-5 season that included a victory against Coastal Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl. The Pirates ranked dead last in the American Athletic Conference in passing defense, allowing 291.8 yards per game in 2022.

A native of Naples, Florida, Montinar graduated from Eastern Kentucky, earning a bachelor’s and masters in sports management. He was an all-state safety for Naples High School, being named the Southwester Florida Defensive Player of the Year in 2002.

Monitar will get his first opportunity to show what he can do with his new team when ECU faces Michigan in its 2023 season opener on Sept. 2.

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