ECU adds assistant to fill in for Roggeman

Oct 5, 2009 - 9:51 PM GREENVILLE, N.C.(AP) -- East Carolina has added John Gutekunst as an assistant coach to fill in for Thomas "Rock" Roggeman, who is on medical leave due to non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The school announced the move Monday, saying Roggeman went on indefinite leave on Sept. 28.

Gutekunst will assist the Pirates with special teams, while Vernon Hargreaves - who had coached special teams and defensive ends - will now take on Roggeman's responsibilities with the defensive tackles.

Gutekunst spent six seasons as head coach at Minnesota and has had numerous assistant coaching stops.

Roggeman was diagnosed in June and had coached with the team this season before taking leave.