CHARLOTTE – There was a buzz in the air at the Charlotte Convention Center for the 2025 American Conference Media Days, but not necessarily around the Charlotte 49ers. While other programs rolled in with hype, swagger, and championship chatter, Charlotte came in a little different. Under new head coach Tim Albin, the 49ers weren’t selling bold predictions. They were laying the foundation for something bigger, a full-on rebuild.
Coming off a 5-7 season, the national expectations are about as low as you’ll find. Phil Steele has Charlotte at No. 114, Lindy’s at 122, and Athlon at 124. The projected win total? Around 4.5. No one’s penciling them in for a bowl game. And with nearly 40 new transfers and just one returning offensive starter, redshirt senior Jonny King, it’s no wonder. This roster is almost entirely brand new.
But if Albin felt any pressure, he didn’t show it. The former Ohio head coach, who just won a MAC title in 2024, walked to the podium with calm confidence. His mantra, “Success is Through the Heart,” comes straight from his mentor, Frank Solich, and it’s more than just a catchphrase. Albin’s focus is building the culture first. Wins will come later.
“Good afternoon. Appreciate you being here,” he began, taking time to thank American Commissioner Tim Panetti and shout out Chancellor Sharon Gaber and AD Mike Hill. He even gave credit to his wife, Brooke, calling Charlotte a “two-person job.” That family-oriented tone is clearly part of how Albin plans to run the program.
Throughout the day, Albin’s message stayed consistent: this is a “total building job,” but it’s not starting from square one. He admitted the team has to clean up its mistakes, turnover margin and penalties were both big issues last season, and said that improving those areas is non-negotiable if Charlotte wants to take the next step.
As for all the new faces? Albin isn’t treating this like Year 1. “It’s not 56 freshmen,” he said. “We got a good nucleus coming back… Let’s have a year three mentality.” Translation: This isn’t a long-term rebuild. The expectation is to compete now.
Albin brought two veterans with him to Charlotte: safety Ja’Qurious Conley and offensive lineman Jonny King. Both are redshirt seniors and, in King’s case, a symbol of loyalty. King stuck around despite transfer offers from other programs. That decision wasn’t lost on Albin. “His passion for UNC Charlotte” stood out in the coach’s remarks, and it’s clear King is viewed as a leader in this reset.
Offensively, Charlotte will look different. Albin described the plan as a “controlled burn” under OC Todd Fitch, with a focus on establishing the run game to open up the pass. He wants “fast, physical, efficient” football. King will anchor the offensive line, and the quarterback competition, between Connor Harrell, Grayson Loftis, and Zach Wilcke, is still ongoing. But Albin praised the QB room’s football IQ and ball security.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a 2025 press conference without talking transfer portal. Charlotte hit it hard, bringing in the third-best portal class in the American and 78th nationally. It’s a bold “win now” approach, but also a challenge to Albin’s relationship-first style. How do you build trust when half the roster is new every year?
Albin didn’t dodge it. Instead, he said he wants to be directly involved in roster management, “picking the groceries,” as he put it. He believes if players know their coaches have their back, they might stick around, even if NIL dollars start calling elsewhere. It’s a risky philosophy in this era, but Albin’s betting on culture.
When asked about the goal for 2025, Albin didn’t mention bowls or win totals. He just wants that final game to mean something. “Let’s have that last game of the season… Let’s be it… Let’s have that game, it’s for something.” That “something” could be a bowl, a shot at respect, or just a marker that the program is headed in the right direction.
There’s no sugarcoating it: Charlotte has a tough road ahead. The schedule includes Georgia, North Carolina, and Army. Most of the roster is new. The media predictions are bleak. But Albin’s approach is clear, build the right foundation, invest in people, and the results will follow.
This wasn’t a media day full of soundbites or swagger. It was about purpose. The 49ers are under construction, but now, the blueprint is finally on the table.
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