Roy Tesh

Biography

A seasoned veteran coach that has helped ECU earn postseason eligibility in four of the last five years (2021 Military Bowl, 2022 TicketSmarter Bowl champions, 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl champions, 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl champions). Tesh is entering his eighth year at East Carolina coaching the defensive line and was named the co-defensive coordinator following the 2025 season. Originally hired on Dec. 7, 2018, Tesh has also served as a special team’s coordinator, bandits coach and defensive run game coordinator for the Pirates. Tesh, who was a 2025 Broyles Award Nominee, mentored line group in 2025 spearheaded one of the best defensive units in program history. Behind a pair of all-conference performers in Zion Wilson (first team) and J.D. Lampley (second team), the Pirates front tallied 141 tackles, 42.5 TFLs (-193 yards) which included 20.5 sacks for minus 137 yards. In addition to four pass breakups, 14 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, the unit ranked fourth nationally in TFLs per game (7.8) and 23rd in sacks per contest (2.62). Wilson led The American during regular season play with 7.0 sacks and was one of seven players in the league to have double-digit TFLs. Lampley, Jasiyah Robinson and Wilson combined to make 37 starts while helping the defense rank among the FBS leaders (Top 30) in fumbles recovered (second/14), red zone defense (seventh/.705), 3rd down conversion percentage (ninth/.305), scoring defense (25th/20.1 ppg