One year ago, practically everything was new with the East Carolina football team, from coaching staff to quarterback.

When the Pirates opened their second spring practice under head coach Ruffin McNeill late Monday afternoon, perhaps the only new thing was McNeill's lease on life.

In the wake of his offseason bariatric surgery and a little over a month in advance of hip replacement surgery, a much trimmer McNeill was reunited with his players, and the coach was quick to point out that he won't be the only one feeling different for long.

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