Former East Carolina linebacker Bruce Bivens has been appointed as the director of football player development at East Carolina University, head coach Blake Harrell announced on Friday. Alongside this, Harrell revealed that Bryan Butterworth (defense) and Ryan McManus (offense) have been promoted to senior analyst roles.
In his new position, Bivens will focus on overseeing the team’s life skills programs, academic and mentoring support systems, and leading the Pirates’ community relations initiatives. Originally from Houston, Texas, Bivens returns to ECU after serving as a guest relations experience coordinator at ECU Health in 2023. Prior to that, he worked as a behavioral support specialist for Pitt County Schools (2022-23) and as a regional sales and installation representative for Seals Gasket, LLC (2021-22).
Bivens, a four-year starter and five-time letterwinner with the Pirates, played 55 career games, including 31 starts. He amassed 236 tackles (102 solo), 5 sacks (-26 yards), and 19 tackles for loss (-65 yards). He recorded at least one tackle in 47 games, with multiple stops in 42 contests.
As a senior, Bivens earned Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors, leading the team with 57 tackles (22 solo), averaging 4.8 per game, ranking 36th in the conference. He also contributed 2 sacks (-13 yards), 4.5 tackles for loss (-18 yards), and 2 quarterback hurries. That season, he played a key role in helping the Pirates achieve a 7-5 overall record (5-3 in conference) and secure a spot in the 2021 Military Bowl.
A two-time member of the ECU Honor Roll, Bivens earned his bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications in the spring of 2021.
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