The 2010 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

The Pirates played their home games in Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium and were led by head coach Ruffin McNeill, a former Pirate football player and former Texas Tech defensive coordinator.

Due to the stadium expansion in the East endzone, the format of the game was changed to a modified half-field scrimmage, with both teams taking turns on offense and defense.

The Pirates defeated the Golden Hurricane 51–49 on a hail mary pass from Quarterback Dominique Davis to freshman receiver Justin Jones as time expired.

East Carolina began the season 1–0 overall and in conference as Tulsa fell to 0–1.