GREENVILLE, N.C. – Keith Gaither has been named wide receivers coach at East Carolina according to an announcement from second-year head football coach Scottie Montgomery on Tuesday.

Gaither's acceptance of the position on the Pirates' staff follows a brief tenure as Temple's receivers coach and two-season stay at Army West Point. He brings 20 years of overall coaching experience to ECU, including six at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level and 12 in the state of North Carolina.

"Keith's background of success at all levels not only speaks highly of his coaching ability, but also his aptitude to understand, implement and value various offensive philosophies," Montgomery said. "His recruiting ties, especially across North Carolina, run deep and will impact our program significantly."

Before his Jan. 23, 2017 appointment to join the Owls' program, Gaither directed the Black Knights' receiving corps during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. His pass catchers stood fourth nationally in yards per reception with a 17.9 average last fall during Army's successful 8-5 campaign, which included a 21-17 win over Navy and a 38-31 overtime victory against North Texas in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl.

In his first year at West Point, Gaither coached Edgar Poe and DeAndre Bell to notable performances. Poe produced a trio of 100-yard receiving games and caught six touchdown passes, which was the most by a Black Knight since 2007, while Bell turned in career highs in receptions and yards as a senior.

Gaither was wide receivers coach at Ball State from 2011 to 2014 and helped guide the Cardinals to back-to-back bowl appearances following the 2012 (Beef 'O' Brady's) and 2013 (GoDaddy.com) seasons.

While on Pete Lembo's staff in Muncie, Gaither was responsible for a combined three All-Mid-American Conference first-team selections in 2012 and 2013, along with second-team and third-team All-MAC picks in 2014. One of his top pupils was Willie Snead, who set BSU single-season receiving records in yardage (1,516), catches (106) and touchdowns (15) in 2013.

Gaither also impacted his players off the field as Briggs Orsbon earned Capital One Academic All-America honors in 2011, while Connor Ryan was a Capitol One Academic All-District choice a year later. Orsbon completed his career as only the second receiver in Ball State history to record over 200 career catches.

During his two-year stint at Elon in 2009 and 2010, Gaither helped Terrell Hudgins establish 19 NCAA, Southern Conference and Phoenix records and to a runner-up finish in the voting for the 2009 Walter Payton Award, which formally recognizes the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Player-of-the-Year. Additionally, Gaither mentored All-America pass catcher and Baltimore Ravens draft pick Aaron Mellette while at Elon.

Gaither began his coaching career in 1997 as defensive backs coach at Greensboro (N.C.) College before moving to Tusculum (Tenn.) College for the 1998 and 1999 campaigns. Following a five-year run as an assistant at alma mater Thomasville (N.C.) High School, Gaither returned to the college ranks as Winston-Salem State's recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach from 2005 to 2008.

A four-year starter and two-time all-region performer as a member of the Phoenix secondary, Gaither earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from Elon in 1997.

Gaither is married (Holly) and has four children - Jonesha, Akeem, Madison and Hazel.

10. Independence at Vance

Independence, winners of seven straight state titles a few years back, appears to back to their old ways under coach Bill Geiler.  Vance, two years removed from a state semifinal appearance, is in its first year under coach Keith Wilkes.

9. East Lincoln at Bandys

East Lincoln has scored 35 and 61 points in their first two games of the season, including a win over 4A Hopewell last week.  Bandys has yet to give up any points this season and is looking to ride its defense to another victory.

8. Orange at Carrboro

Carrboro has won each of their first two games by an average of 25 points.  Orange hasn’t given up a point in either of its first two games.

7. Maiden at Hickory

This Catawba County rivalry features two teams who are 1-1, facing tough losses in Week 1, and rebounded with wins last week.  Each team features a new head coach looking for their teams to make a statement in non-conference play. 

6. Pinecrest at Cox Mill

Cox Mill has scored 53 and 35 points in their first two games respectively without giving up a point on defense.  Pinecrest is coming into the game at 1-1, losing only to title contender Jack Britt.  Pinecrest won last year’s matchup 40-8 and the Chargers are looking for revenge.

5. Cummings at Western Alamance

These two Alamance County rivals have split their last two matchups.  Cummings is looking to compete for a conference title and has state title aspirations.  Western Alamance is seeking to return to their success of the last decade, where the Warriors made four straight title game appearances.

4. Burns at Mooresville

Coach Matt Beam’s Burns Bulldogs have been one of the most consistent 3A programs in western North Carolina over the last five years.  Mooresville shook off a loss to West Rowan in Week 1 to beat South Mecklenburg 35-14 last week.  Both teams are looking to build on regional final appearance from last year.

3. Thomasville at Andrews, T.W.

Thomasville has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the state.  While 0-2, the Bulldogs look to rebound against the Red Raiders, who are coming off a win over 4A Ben Smith last Friday night.

2. Southern Nash at Bunn

The Southern Nash schedule did the team no favors by having them open up the 2012 season with three games on the road.  But, the Firebirds won their first two games and are looking to start 3-0 again for the fourth straight year.  But, standing in their way are the Bunn Wildcats, looking to bounce back after a tough loss last week to R.L. Fike.

1. Middle Creek at Fuquay-Varina

These two teams battled last year for the Tri-Nine conference title, each finishing 7-1 in conference play.  The Bengals and the Mustangs faced off against each other twice last year.  Middle Creek got the win in Week 3 last year in a thrilling 48-47 overtime win.  The two teams met again in the second round of the 4AA playoffs, with the Mustangs winning again.  These two teams have fought battles over the last few years and this week should be no different.

2A #2 South Iredell (2011: 13-1)

2A #3 Tarboro (2011: 13-2); 2A champ)

2A #4 Lincolnton (2011: 14-2; 2A runner-up)

2A #5 West Stokes (2011: 16-0; 2AA champ)

2A #6 Northside-Jax (2011: 12-1)

2A #7 South Columbus (2011: 10-4)

2A #8 Shelby (2011: 9-6)

2A #9 Thomasville (2011: 10-5)

2A #10 Salisbury (2011: 11-3)

2A #11 East Lincoln (2011: 8-4)

2A #12 High Point Andrews (2011: 9-2)

2A #13 Reidsville (2011: 11-4)

2A #14 Cummings (2011: 11-2)

2A #15 Holmes (2011: 11-1)

Regional final games are almost always the best games of the season.  Teams are fighting their hardest for a chance to play for a state championship and coaches who haven’t been there before are pulling out all the stops and opening the last pages of their playbooks.  This week’s game is sure to be a game to remember.  The Carolina Gridiron Game of the Week for Week 16 features the Thomasville Bulldogs travelling to take on the Lincolnton Wolves in the Western Regional 2A Championship.

Thomasville, coached by Allen Brown, started out the season 1-4 and has since gone on a nine game winning streak.  The Bulldogs won the Central Carolina 2A Conference this season, beating defending 2AA champion Salisbury to clinch the title.  On offense, the Bulldogs average 28.6 points a game and much of that comes from running Shaquan Johnson.  Johnson has rushed for over 3,000 yards this season and 50 scores this season.  Defensively, the Bulldogs give up 21.4 points a game.  In the playoffs, the Bulldogs have won their games by an average of 17 points.

Scott Cloninger’s Lincolnton Wolves come into this week’s game with a 13-1 record, losing only to 3A power South Point in Week 2.  Winners of the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A conference, the Wolves are an offensive machine, averaging 44.5 points a game while only giving up 16.5 points on defense.  Lincolnton is led on offense by running back Dee Littlejohn, who has scored more than 30 touchdowns this year while rushing for an average of more than 120 yards a game.  Another reason for Lincolnton’s offensive explosion this year has been athlete Michael Cunningham who has lit up defenses with his running ability while also returning big kicks for the Wolves.

A very physical game is in store for both teams on Friday night.  Each team finds its strengths in running the football and stopping their opponents from scoring on the ground.  With these two teams, the game will probably come down to who can take advantage of a turnover or make that one big stop in the fourth quarter.   Either way, fans are in for a treat of high school football at its best.

It looks to be a great game this Friday night in Lincolnton.