CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte 49ers football program has announced the hiring of Tim Albin as their new head coach. Charlotte Athletics Director Mike Hill welcomed Coach Albin after his team's successful Mid-American Conference Championship Game win on Saturday afternoon.

“We had incredible interest in this position which speaks to the remarkable opportunity ahead of Tim and the program he will build here in the Queen City," Hill said. "From the outset, we sought an experienced collegiate coach with a proven track record of sustained success on the field and in the recruitment and development of student-athletes. Tim’s professional accolades and resume check all those boxes, but his leadership, stewardship, and commitment to the holistic development of our football student-athletes set him apart.”

Albin, a seasoned coach with a proven track record of success, joins the 49ers after a successful stint as the head coach at Ohio University. He led the Bobcats to three straight 10-win seasons and the Mid-American Conference championship and coach of the year honors this year. In over one hundred years of Ohio football history, the Bobcats have six 10-win seasons. Albin was responsible for three of those during his four years as head coach and was an assistant for another in 2011. Albin was the conference’s coach of the year in two of his four seasons at the helm. Under his guidance, the team has consistently ranked among the top offensive units in the MAC, breaking numerous school records in rushing, passing, and scoring. 

“I am beyond excited to begin this new journey at Charlotte and start the process of developing the 49ers into the championship-caliber program we all believe it can and should be,” Albin said. “I would like to thank Chancellor Sharon Gaber and Mike Hill for their trust and belief in our future together. I cannot wait to get started.” 

Prior to holding the head coaching position at Ohio, Albin was the team’s offensive coordinator for fifteen years under Frank Solich. Albin's coaching career spans several institutions, including North Dakota State, Nebraska, and Northwestern Oklahoma State, where he led the Rangers to the 1999 NAIA national championship. 

CHARLOTTE – In a heart-stopping senior day finale, the Charlotte 49ers secured a dramatic 29-27 victory over UAB, clinching the program's first five-win season since 2021.

Freshman quarterback Deshawn Purdie emerged as the game's defining player, connecting with O'Mega Blake on a critical 46-yard touchdown pass that proved decisive. Despite struggling throughout much of the game, Purdie delivered when it mattered most, with interim coach Tim Brewster noting, "The moment is never too big."

The victory was a testament to the team's unity, embodied by running backs Hahsaun Wilson and Cartevious Norton, who both scored touchdowns. Wilson reflected on the team's spirit, stating, "When you have a team that's playing selfishly and doesn't play for anything but themselves, it gets hard. When you stick together and band together, nobody can stop (you)."

The game's dramatic conclusion came down to the wire, with UAB attempting a potential game-winning field goal. Defensive end Mike Kelly-Lawson captured the moment's intensity, saying, "I've been here for six years, I've been through five playing seasons and a lot of crazy games. The football gods have to be on your side."

Senior wide receiver Sean Brown achieved a personal milestone, recording his first 100-yard game in his final collegiate appearance. "It feels pretty good. I always wanted one," Brown said. "But in the last game? It feels pretty good to get it."

Interim coach Tim Brewster saw the win as more than just a single game, declaring, "These seniors have this victory for the rest of their lives." He emphasized the team's potential, noting, "This is a really great job. I think the future is extremely bright."

O'Mega Blake tied the program's single-season touchdown record with his ninth score, while freshman quarterback Purdie continued to make history by setting multiple first-year player records.

The victory was a fitting conclusion to a challenging season, with players and coaches celebrating a moment of triumph that transcended the final score. As Brewster put it, "This is why you lift all the weights, and you do everything that you do — to experience moments like we did tonight."

Charlotte's win not only secured a positive end to their season but also showcased the program's resilience and potential for future success. The next step for the 49ers will be to find the program's fourth head coach in its history.

GREENVILLE – In a move that signals continuity and promise, East Carolina University has transformed Blake Harrell's interim leadership into a permanent appointment, crowning him as the 23rd head football coach of the Pirates program.

Harrell's journey to this moment is a testament to leadership and performance. After taking over as interim head coach on October 20, he orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, guiding the Pirates to four consecutive victories and securing bowl eligibility. The team's offensive explosion during this stretch – scoring 183 points and amassing 2,140 total yards – spoke volumes about Harrell's strategic acumen.

With a defensive background that includes successful tenures at Lenoir-Rhyne, Kennesaw State, and The Citadel, Harrell brings a proven track record of defensive excellence. His defensive units have consistently ranked among the top in their conferences, highlighting his ability to build competitive, disciplined teams.

Athletic Director Jon Gilbert's confidence in Harrell is palpable. "He excelled in all areas," Gilbert noted, praising the coach's dedication, communication skills, and ability to connect with players. Harrell's vision extends beyond the field, with a commitment to navigating the evolving landscape of college athletics, including Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.

For Harrell, the appointment is more than a professional milestone. "Pirate Nation is second to none," he said, emphasizing his family's commitment to Greenville and the program's future.

As the Pirates prepare for their upcoming bowl game, all eyes are on Harrell – a coach who has transformed an interim opportunity into a definitive leadership role.

CHARLOTTE – In a surprising turn of events, the Charlotte 49ers have dismissed head football coach Biff Poggi after just over a year at the helm. The decision comes following a challenging season marred by injuries and a 3-7 start to the current campaign.

Poggi, known for his unique sideline style and impressive resume from his time at Saint Frances Academy and The Gilman School, took over the Charlotte program in 2023. Despite his efforts to revamp the 49ers through extensive use of the transfer portal, the team struggled to find consistent success, finishing 3-9 last season and starting this year with a 3-7 record. 

Poggi's tenure was marked by his commitment to the team and his unique approach to coaching, but ultimately, the results on the field did not meet the expectations of the administration and fans alike. “I am thankful to Biff Poggi for his leadership and mentorship of our student-athletes over these past two seasons,” Charlotte Athletics Director Mike Hill said. “No one can question Biff’s passion for helping young people succeed in life, both personally and professionally, but our on-field results have unfortunately fallen short of everyone’s expectations. As we move forward into the next chapter of Charlotte 49er Football, we will be looking for a leader to take our program to the next level as a consistent bowl and championship contender.”

The 49ers will now look to regroup and rebuild under new leadership as they continue their journey in the American Athletic Conference. Tight ends coach and associate head coach Tim Brewster will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

GREENVILLE – East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser threw for a career-high 343 yards and five touchdowns as the Pirates dominated Florida Atlantic 49-14 in a Thursday night American Athletic Conference matchup at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

The Pirates (5-4, 3-2 AAC) wasted no time getting started, scoring on their opening drive when Houser connected with Chase Sowell for a 50-yard touchdown just 24 seconds into the game. That quick strike set the tone for what would become ECU’s most productive offensive performance of the season, as they accumulated 581 total yards.

“We got off to a great start putting points up early,” said ECU interim head coach Blake Harrell, who improved to 2-0 since taking over the program on October 20. “The offense and Katin, those guys are clicking over there right now. I’m so proud of them and it’s not just Katin or one player. It’s receivers, running backs, O-line, quarterback, all on the same page and having the same mindset.”

Houser continued his hot streak by finding Winston Wright Jr. for two first-quarter touchdown passes of 47 and 8 yards, helping the Pirates build a 21-0 lead. The junior quarterback has now thrown 10 touchdowns in his last two games and added a 35-yard rushing touchdown before halftime.

East Carolina’s offensive explosion included 418 first-half yards, their highest total in a half since September 2014 against North Carolina. Anthony Smith had a career night with 120 receiving yards on just three catches, including a 64-yard reception and a touchdown. It marked Smith’s second consecutive game with over 100 receiving yards.

The Pirates’ ground game complemented the aerial attack effectively, with Jhari Patterson leading the way with a career-best 61 yards on three carries. Rahjai Harris added 55 yards and a touchdown on eight attempts as ECU averaged 7 yards per rush.

Florida Atlantic (2-7, 0-5 AAC) struggled to contain ECU’s offense throughout the night, though they did manage two second-half scoring drives. The Owls’ touchdowns came on a 2-yard pass from Kasen Weisman to Jabari Smith in the second quarter and another 2-yard touchdown pass to CJ Campbell, Jr. late in the fourth quarter.

The Pirates’ defense continued its opportunistic play, forcing two interceptions. Ja’Marley Riddle recorded his third pick in the last two games, while Gavin Gibson added another interception. Linebacker Zakye Barker led the defensive effort with eight tackles, including 2.5 for loss.

Under the lights at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, a crowd of 30,573 watched as ECU improved to 4-1 at home this season. The strong fan turnout didn’t go unnoticed by Harrell.

“For our student section to show out like that, for Pirate Nation to show out like that for an ESPN nationally televised game — that was freaking awesome and our kids fed off of that,” Harrell said. “They love playing here and playing in front of Pirate Nation.”

The victory puts East Carolina one win away from bowl eligibility with three games remaining. The Pirates will look to secure that crucial sixth win next Thursday when they travel to face Tulsa.

“These guys are playing with confidence and to get these seniors to a bowl game, the way they’ve worked — it’s easy in life when things don’t go right to give up or turn away. These young men are going to finish what they started,” Harrell said. “I told them during the bye week that it’s the fourth quarter. It’s no quarter time. It’s time to go finish this thing off the right way.”

The win marked East Carolina’s third all-time victory over Florida Atlantic and improved their record to 2-0 against the Owls in Greenville. The Pirates have now forced at least one turnover in 46 of their last 52 games, continuing a trend of defensive opportunism that has helped fuel their success this season.