:Charlotte 49ers football
{{Short description|University football program}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox NCAA football school
| CurrentSeason = 2025 Charlotte 49ers football team
| TeamName = Charlotte 49ers football
| FirstYear = 1946; {{Years or months ago|1946}}{{efn|The team played in its first three years of existence (1946–1948), but folded in 1949. The football program was restarted in 2013; {{Years or months ago|2013}}.{{cite web|title=Celebrating 10 years of Charlotte football|url=https://www.ninertimes.com/sports/celebrating-10-years-of-charlotte-football/article_6da6d11a-49a8-11ee-938d-ff51a35e616f.html|website=ninertimes.com|date=September 2, 2023|access-date=June 9, 2024}}}}
| Image = Charlotte_49ers_logo.svg
| ImageSize = 115
|head_coach = Tim Albin
|hc_year = 1st
| Stadium = Jerry Richardson Stadium
| StadCapacity = 15,314
| StadSurface = AstroTurf's RootZone 3D3 Blend{{cite web|title=Charlotte Begins Replacement of Football Stadium Turf|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2021/6/8/charlotte-begins-replacement-of-football-stadium-turf.aspx|date=June 6, 2021|access-date=September 3, 2021}}
| NCAAdivision = I FBS
| Location = Charlotte, North Carolina
| Conference = The American
| ConfDivision =
| PastAffiliations = Independent (1946–1948)
No team (1949–2012)
FCS Independent (2013–2014)
Conference USA (2015–2022)
| AthleticDirector = Mike Hill
| WebsiteName = Charlotte49ers.com
| WebsiteURL = https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/football
| Rivalries =
| ATWins = 50
| ATLosses = 102
| BowlWins = 0
| BowlLosses = 1
| BowlTies =
| NatlTitles =
| ConfTitles =
| Heismans =
| AllAmericans =
| uniform = 3Uniform1.png
| PagFreeLabel = Outfitter
| PagFreeValue = Nike
| FightSong = Charlotte 49ers Fight Song
| MascotDisplay = Norm the Niner
| MarchingBand = The Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band
|HCWins=0|HCLosses=0}}
The Charlotte 49ers football program represents the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in college football. The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees officially voted to add a football program on November 13, 2008, after a unanimous recommendation by the Football Feasibility Committee. It was made possible by Student Government initiatives starting in 2006 by then-student body president Benjamin Comstock and student body vice president Jordan Van Dyne, namely the first step of organizing a transparent student vote on football that disclosed possible hikes in tuition fees as a result of football.{{cite web|url=http://triangle.news14.com/content/top_stories/580302/uncc-students-can-vote-on-football |title=UNCC students can vote on football - News14.com |publisher=Triangle.news14.com |date=January 4, 2007}} The online poll was approved by the Student Senate and administered in collaboration with the University's IT Department.{{cite web|url=http://triangle.news14.com/content/top_stories/579027/49er-football-online-poll |title=49er Football online poll - News14.com |publisher=Triangle.news14.com |date=January 15, 2013}} Despite the possibility of potential rises in student fees, the vote clearly displayed a student interest in a football team.{{cite web |url=http://charlotte49ers.cstv.com/genrel/111308aaa.html |title=UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees Votes To Add Football to 49ers Athletic Program |publisher=Charlotte49ers.cstv.com }} The program began play during the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season.{{cite web |url=http://www.charlotte49erfootball.com/faqs.html |title=Charlotte 49ers Football FAQ |publisher=Charlotte49erfootball.com |access-date=April 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119125327/http://www.charlotte49erfootball.com/faqs.html |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
History
{{See also|List of Charlotte 49ers football seasons|Charlotte 49ers football statistical leaders}}
=Origins=
In 1946, 22 young men began practice as the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina Owl's first athletic program: a football team.{{cite web |url=http://www.charlotte49erfootball.com/our-story.html |title=Charlotte 49ers Football Our Story |publisher=Charlotte49erfootball.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504043524/http://www.charlotte49erfootball.com/our-story.html |archive-date=May 4, 2009 |df=mdy-all }} The team finished the season 2–4, with wins over Pembroke State and Belmont Abbey, and losses to Davidson JV, Catawba College JV, and Clemson's "B" team. The team hosted 2 home games that year at American Legion Memorial Stadium. In part due to the effects of fewer World War II veterans entering college in the late 1940s, the football program ended after the 1948 season. The final football game was played on October 27, 1948.
On July 12, 2006, a group of 15 UNC Charlotte students and alumni held the inaugural Charlotte 49er Football Initiative (CFI) meeting. The mission of this group was to "promote the creation of a Division I college football program at Charlotte," eventually employing methods such as a promotional website, merchandise sales and a pledge campaign. A student organization, Charlotte Football Advocates (later CFI Students), became a part of the larger CFI group during the fall of 2006.{{cite web|url=http://web.me.com/evernon/Charlotte_49er_Football/ |title=Charlotte 49er Football Initiative |publisher=Web.me.com }} In February 2007, UNC Charlotte students voted overwhelmingly in favor of football in an official campus-wide vote and the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees voted to authorize $150,000 to study adding 49ers Football, and establishing a Football Feasibility Committee to be headed by outgoing board president and prominent Charlotte businessman Mac Everett. The committee held several meetings throughout the summer of 2007, plus three public forums in the fall of 2007.
In December 2007, the Football Feasibility Committee voted unanimously to recommend the addition of 49ers football. In September 2008, a major student-led March to the Endzone rally was held on campus.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080919095207/http://www.publicrelations.uncc.edu/default.asp?id=15&objId=433 Hundreds Attend Football Rally on Campus] On September 18, 2008, Chancellor Dubois officially recommended adding a 49ers football program with the condition that its fans first raise $5 million to help fund the stadium complex.{{cite web |last=Perlmutt |first=David |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/104/story/199771.html |title=Yes to 49ers Football – with a $5m catch |publisher=Charlotteobserver.com |date=September 19, 2008 |access-date=April 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723000932/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/104/story/199771.html |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} On November 13, 2008, the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees voted to add a Charlotte 49ers football program by 2013.[https://web.archive.org/web/20081220235325/http://www.publicrelations.uncc.edu/default.asp?id=15&objId=458 Trustees Vote to Add Football to 49ers Athletic Program]
Chancellor Dubois originally recommended that the university start Division I football at the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) level with no timeline to move up to FBS. The team played their first full season in the fall of 2013 as an FCS Independent.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3700655 |title=Charlotte board votes to start football program by 2013 |publisher=ESPN |date=November 13, 2008}} On May 4, 2012 Charlotte agreed to rejoin Conference USA for all sports except football in 2013, with football joining in 2015 (the first year the 49ers would be eligible due to the NCAA requirement that start-up programs play a minimum of two years in FCS).{{cite web |url=http://www.conferenceusa.com/genrel/050412aab.html |title=Conference USA Adds Five New Members |publisher=Conferenceusa.com |date=May 4, 2012 |access-date=May 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510200529/http://www.conferenceusa.com/genrel/050412aab.html |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Charlotte moved to the FBS in 2015 and became FBS bowl eligible in 2016. The 49ers were founding members of C-USA from 1996 to 2005, but they did not compete in football during that time period. Other schools to join C-USA with Charlotte include Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Louisiana Tech University, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of North Texas, and Old Dominion University.
=Brad Lambert era (2013–2018)=
File:2017-0720-CUSA-BradLambert.jpg]]
On March 1, 2011 the 49ers introduced Wake Forest defensive coordinator Brad Lambert as the program's first head coach.{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Dan|title=Lambert leaving WFU to become UNC Charlotte coach|url=http://www2.journalnow.com/sports/2011/mar/01/WSSPORT03-lambert-leaving-wfu-to-become-unc-charlo-ar-822361/|access-date=March 1, 2011|newspaper=Winston-Salem Journal|date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127182420/http://www2.journalnow.com/sports/2011/mar/01/WSSPORT03-lambert-leaving-wfu-to-become-unc-charlo-ar-822361/|archive-date=January 27, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
The 49ers played as an Independent during their two years in the FCS subdivision.{{cite web|url=http://gmine.blogspot.com/2011/09/49ers-to-play-as-fcs-independent.html |title=49ers to play Independent in FCS |publisher=Gmine.blogspot.com |date=September 29, 2011}} Charlotte Football officially joined the FBS subdivision and C-USA Football on July 1, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotte49ers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=590213&SPID=72735&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=210231124&DB_OEM_ID=23200|title=Niners Talk FBS at C-USA Football Kickoff |publisher=Charlotte49ers.com |date=July 23, 2015}}
On November 18, 2018, Charlotte Athletics Director Mike Hill announced that after 8 years and 6 seasons as head coach, Lambert would not be retained following the season.{{cite web|title=Hill Makes Football Coaching Change|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2018/11/18/hill-makes-football-coaching-change.aspx?path=football|publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletic Department|date=November 18, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018}} Lambert had compiled a record of 22–48 during his tenure, including the program's first win in the inaugural game and winning the program's first FBS game.{{cite news|title=Brad Lambert out as Charlotte 49ers' football coach|first=David|last=Scott|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article221875065.html|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|date=November 18, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018}} Lambert would finish his career at Charlotte a week later with a season-ending road victory against the previous season conference champion FAU.{{cite news|title=After emotional sendoff for Brad Lambert, is stage set for Charlotte 49ers success?|first=David|last=Scott|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article221875065.html|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|date=November 25, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018}}
=Will Healy era (2018–2022)=
On December 5, 2018 Austin Peay's Will Healy was announced as the Charlotte 49ers second head football coach.{{cite news|title=Charlotte hires Will Healy as football coach|first=Mike|last=Stewart|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article222652025.html|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|date=December 4, 2018|access-date=December 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206001528/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article222652025.html|archive-date=December 6, 2018|url-status=dead}} The 2017 Eddie Robinson Award by STATS for FCS Coach of the Year, had a 8-1 FCS record and a 7–1 record in the Ohio Valley Conference in his second season with the Governors, who previously had a 1–46 record before Healy took over the previous season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/austin-peay-s-healy-wins-eddie-robinson-award-121317|title=Healy wins National Coach of the Year|date=December 13, 2017}}
On August 29, 2019, Healy recorded his first win as the head coach of Charlotte in a 49–28 victory against Gardner–Webb.{{cite web|title=Charlotte Scores 49 in Healy's Victorious Debut|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2019/8/30/football-charlotte-scores-49-in-healys-victorious-debut.aspx|website=Charlotte49ers.com|date=August 30, 2019|access-date=August 31, 2019}} On September 14, he recorded his first career victory over a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent with a 52–17 win against UMass.{{cite web|title=Charlotte Explodes for 52-17 Win Over UMass|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2019/9/14/football-charlotte-explodes-for-51-17-win-over-umass.aspx?path=football|website=Charlotte49ers.com|date=September 14, 2019|access-date=September 15, 2019}} Healy would record his first C-USA win against North Texas on October 26.{{cite web|title=Niners Rally to Win on Tucker's Dramatic TD|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2019/10/26/fb-recap-vs-north-texas.aspx?path=football|website=Charlotte49ers.com|date=October 26, 2019|access-date=October 26, 2019}} Healy and the 49ers both would reach bowl eligibility for the first time following a home victory over Marshall November 23 in his first season at the helm.{{cite web|title=BOWL ELIGIBLE! Niners Claim Sixth Win vs. Marshall|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2019/11/23/football-bowl-eligible-niners-claim-sixth-win-over-marshall.aspx|website=Charlotte49ers.com|date=November 23, 2019|access-date=November 23, 2019}} Then on September 3, 2021 in his third season, he would lead the 49ers to their first ever win over a Power Five opponent with a score of 31-28 against Duke at home.{{cite web|title=Late-Game Heroics Secure Charlotte's First Power Five Win,31-28,Over Duke|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2021/9/3/charlotte-duke-recap.aspx|website=Charlotte49ers.com|date=September 3, 2021|access-date=September 3, 2021}}
Charlotte fired Healy on October 23, 2022, after a 1–7 start to the season. Healy compiled a 15–24 record at the helm of the 49ers. Pete Rossomando was named interim head coach for the final four games of the season.{{cite web|title=Charlotte Makes Football Coaching Change|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2022/10/23/charlotte-makes-football-coaching-change.aspx|date=October 23, 2022|access-date=November 21, 2022}}
=Francis "Biff" Poggi era (2022–2024)=
File:BiffPoggi2023.jpg]]News was released on November 15, 2022 that Michigan associate head coach Francis "Biff" Poggi was named Charlotte's third head coach in the modern era.{{cite web|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2022/11/15/michigans-biff-poggi-to-lead-charlotte-49ers-football-program.aspx|title=Michigan's Biff Poggi to Lead Charlotte 49ers Football Program|date=November 15, 2022}} Poggi got his first win as an NCAA head coach against South Carolina St. in his first game leading the 49ers.{{cite web|title=Sellout Crowd On Hand for Poggi's First Win, 24-3, over South Carolina State|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2023/9/2/football-sellout-crowd-on-hand-for-poggis-first-game-24-3-win-over-south-carolina-state.aspx|date=September 2, 2023|access-date=September 2, 2023}}{{cite news|title=Freshman Durell Robinson'd big first half sparks win vs SC State|first=Langston|last=Wertz Jr.|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/charlotte-49ers/article278911239.html|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|date=September 3, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023}} Poggi recorded his first FBS and conference win on October 21 with a 10 to 7 road win over in-state rival ECU. {{cite web|title=Record-Setting Defense Stifles ECU to Hand 49ers First-Ever AAC Win, 10-7|url= https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2023/10/21/football-charlotte-defense-stifles-ecu.aspx|date=October 21, 2023|access-date=October 22, 2023}}
Charlotte fired Poggi on November, 18 2024, after a 3–7 start to the season. Poggi compiled a 6–16 record at the helm of the 49ers. Tim Brewster was named interim head coach for the final four games of the season.{{cite web|title=Charlotte Football Announces Change in Leadership|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/news/2024/11/18/charlotte-football-announces-change-in-leadership.aspx|date=November 18, 2024|access-date=November 19, 2024}}
=Tim Albin era (2024-Present)=
File:Albin 2022 vs Fordham.jpg]]Ohio head coach Tim Albin was named head coach of the 49ers on December 7, 2024, following the 2024 MAC Championship Game.{{Cite news |last=Bailey |first=Hunter |date=2024-12-07 |title=Charlotte 49ers football zeroes in on Ohio’s Tim Albin as next head coach |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/charlotte-49ers/article296737679.html |access-date=2024-12-11 |work=Charlotte Observer}}
Conference affiliations
- Independent (1946–1948)
- No team (1949–2012)
- FCS Independent (2013–2014)
- Conference USA (2015–2023)
- American (2023-current){{cite web|title=American Athletic Conference Announces the Addition of Six Universities|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/10/21/general-american-athletic-conference-announces-the-addition-of-six-universities.aspx|date=October 21, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021}}
Bowl games
Charlotte has participated in one bowl game, and has a record of 0–1.
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team= Charlotte 49ers|Season|Coach|Bowl|Opponent|Result}} | ||||
| 2019 | Will Healy | Bahamas Bowl | Buffalo | L 9–31 |
NFL draft picks
Charlotte has had 5 players selected in the NFL Draft as of the 2023 Draft.
| class="wikitable" | |||||
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team= Charlotte 49ers|Season|Player|Round|Overall|Team|NFL Career Notes (Prior to 2022 NFL Season)}} | |||||
| 2017 | Larry Ogunjobi | 3rd | 65th | Cleveland Browns | 21.5 Career Sacks; 2nd on Browns in Sacks in 2018 and 2019; 3rd on AFC Champion Bengals in Sacks in 2021 |
| 2019 | Nate Davis | 3rd | 82nd | Tennessee Titans | Started 42 career games; Led Titans to 2020 AFC Championship Game |
| 2020 | Alex Highsmith | 3rd | 102nd | Pittsburgh Steelers | 185 Career Tackles; 22.5 Career Sacks, 1 Interception, 14.5 Sacks in 2022 to lead the Steelers |
| 2020 | Cameron Clark | 4th | 129th | New York Jets | - |
| 2023 | Grant DuBose | 7th | 256th | Green Bay Packers | - |
Additionally, Brandon Banks signed with the Washington Redskins and recorded one career tackle, and Austin Duke signed with the Carolina Panthers, as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Benny Lemay signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Ben Deluca signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021 with the Chargers and participated in 3 games
Head coaches
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|Coach|Tenure|Record|Pct.}} | |||
| Arthur Deremer | 1946 | 2–1 (2 results unknown) | {{winpct|2|1|0}} |
| Marion Woods | 1947 | 1–3 (2 results unknown) | {{winpct|1|3|0}} |
| Carol Blackwell | 1948 | (4 results unknown) | {{winpct|0|0|0}} |
| colspan=4|No Program (1949-2012) | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2013–2018 | 22–48 | {{winpct|22|48|0}} |
| Will Healy | 2018–2022 | 15–24 | {{winpct|15|24|0}} |
| Peter Rossomando* | 2022 | 2–2 | {{winpct|2|2|0}} |
| Biff Poggi | 2023–2024 | 6–16 | {{winpct|6|16|0}} |
| Tim Brewster* | 2024 | 2–0 | {{winpct|2|0|0}} |
| Tim Albin | 2025 | 0–0 | {{winpct|0|0|0}} |
(*) Interim head coach
Homecoming history
Since coming back as a program in 2013, the 49ers have had a Homecoming Game, generally held in the middle of the season. They have a 3–8 program record on Homecoming.
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; background:white;" | ||
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|Year|Opponent|Result}} | ||
| 2013 | UNC Pembroke | L 22–45 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2014 | James Madison | L 40–48 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2015 | Southern Miss | L 10–44 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2016 | FIU | L 26–27 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2017 | UAB | W 25–24 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2018 | WKU | W 40–14 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2019 | Florida Atlantic | L 27–45 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2020 | colspan=2|No Homecoming Game | |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2021 | Rice | W 31–24 OT |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2022 | FIU | L 15–34 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2023 | Navy | L 0–14 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| 2024 | USF | L 24-59 |
All-time record
Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current In-State NCAA Division I opponents.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/charlotte/head-to-head.html|title=Charlotte 49ers Head-to-Head Results|access-date=April 29, 2019|website=sports-reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/23200/football/2013%20stats/CharlotteFBSeasonStats.pdf|title=2013 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics|date=December 3, 2013|access-date=April 29, 2019|website=Charlotte49ers.com|publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031131942/http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/23200/football/2013%20stats/CharlotteFBSeasonStats.pdf|archive-date=October 31, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nmnathletics.com//pdf9/2999328.pdf |title=2014 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics |date=November 22, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2019|website=Charlotte49ers.com |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529024833/http://nmnathletics.com/ |archive-date=May 29, 2015 }}{{Cite web|url = http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/23200/football/2015FBALLMG.pdf|title = 2015 Charlotte 49ers Football Media Guide|access-date=April 29, 2019|website = Charlotte49ers.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://static.charlotte49ers.com/custompages/Stats/Football/2016/2016CHAFBStats.pdf|title=2016 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics|date=November 28, 2016|access-date=April 29, 2019|website=Charlotte49ers.com|publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department}}{{Cite web|url=https://static.charlotte49ers.com/custompages/Stats/Football/2017/2017CHAFBStats.pdf?path=football|title=2017 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics|date=November 27, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2019|website=Charlotte49ers.com |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department }}{{Cite web|url=https://static.charlotte49ers.com/custompages/Stats/Football/2018/2018CHAFBStats.pdf?path=football|title=2018 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics|date=November 29, 2018|access-date=April 29, 2019|website=Charlotte49ers.com |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department }}{{Cite web|url=https://static.charlotte49ers.com/custompages/Stats/Football/2019/2019CLTFBStats.pdf?path=football|title=2019 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics|date=January 13, 2020|access-date=February 18, 2020|website=Charlotte49ers.com |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department }}{{Cite web|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/football/stats/2020/pdf|title=2020 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics|date=December 10, 2020|access-date=November 16, 2023|website=Charlotte49ers.com |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department }}{{Cite web|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/football/stats/2021/pdf|title=2021 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics|date=November 28, 2021|access-date=November 16, 2023|website=Charlotte49ers.com |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department }}{{Cite web|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/football/stats/2022/pdf|title=2022 Charlotte Football Combined Team Statistics|date=November 20, 2022|access-date=November 16, 2023|website=Charlotte49ers.com |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics Department }}
=Vs. In-State NCAA Division I teams=
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|Team|Games Played|1st Meeting|Last Meeting|Next Meeting|Record (W-L)|Last Result|Streak |
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Appalachian State Mountaineers|border=0|color=white}}"| Appalachian State || 3 || Sept. 8, 2018 || Sept. 12, 2020 || Aug. 28, 2025 || 0–3 || L 20–35 @ App. St. || Lost 3
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Campbell Fighting Camels|border=0|color=white}}"| Campbell* || 2 || Aug. 31, 2013 || Aug. 28, 2014 || NA || 2–0 || W 33–9 @ Campbell || Won 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Davidson Wildcats|Davidson|border=0|color=white}}"| Davidson* || 0 || NA || NA || NA || 0–0 || NA || -
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Duke Blue Devils|border=0|color=white}}"| Duke || 2 || Oct. 31, 2020 || Sept. 3, 2021 || NA || 1–1 || W 31–28 @ Charlotte || Won 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|East Carolina Pirates|border=0|color=white}}"|East Carolina°|| 1 || Oct. 21, 2023 || Oct. 5, 2024 || 2025 || 2–0 || W 55–24 @ Charlotte || Won 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Elon Phoenix|border=0|color=white}}"| Elon* || 2 || Sept. 20, 2014 || Sept. 10, 2016 || Sept. 11, 2027 || 1–1 || W 47–14 @ Charlotte || Won 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs|border=0|color=white}}"| Gardner-Webb* || 5 || Oct. 5, 2013 || Sep. 17, 2024 || NA || 4–1 || W 27–26 @ Charlotte || Won 3
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Carolina Tar Heels|border=0|color=white}}" | UNC || 1 || Sept. 7, 2024 || || Sept. 6, 2025 || 0–1 || L 38-20 @ UNC || Lost 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Carolina A&T Aggies|border=0|color=white}}"| NC A&T* || 1 || Sept. 16, 2017 || Sept. 16, 2017 || NA || 0–1 || L 31–35 @ Charlotte || Lost 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Carolina Central Eagles|border=0|color=white}}"| NC Central* || 2 || Sept. 7, 2013 || Sept. 13, 2014 || NA || 1–1 || W 40–28 @ NC Central || Won 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Carolina State Wolfpack|border=0|color=white}}"| NC State || 0 || Sept 7, 2030 || || Sept 6, 2031 || 0–0 || 2030 || -
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Wake Forest Demon Deacons|border=0|color=white}}"| Wake Forest || 0 || NA || NA || NA || 0–0 || NA || -
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Carolina Catamounts|border=0|color=white}}"| Western Carolina* || 0 || NA || NA || NA || 0–0 || NA || -
|- style="text-align:center;"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|Total|18|Aug. 31, 2013|Oct. 5, 2024||11–9|W 55–24 vs ECU|Won 1}}
|}
(*)FCS Opponent
(°)AAC Conference Opponent
=Vs. AAC teams=
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|Team|Games Played|1st Meeting|Last Meeting|Next Meeting|Record (W-L)|Last Result|Streak |
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Army Black Knights|border=0|color=white}}"| Army || 0 || 2025 || NA || 2025 || 0–0 || @ Army || NA
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|East Carolina Pirates|border=0|color=white}}"| East Carolina* || 2 || Oct. 21, 2023 || Oct. 5, 2024 || 2025 || 2–0 || W 55–24 @ Charlotte || Won 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Florida Atlantic Owls|border=0|color=white}}"| Florida Atlantic• || 10 || Sep. 26, 2015 || Nov. 23, 2024 || NA || 3–7 || W 39–27 @ FAU || Won 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Memphis Tigers|border=0|color=white}}"| Memphis || 2 || Nov. 11, 2023 || Oct. 26, 2025 || NA || 0–2 || L 28-33 @ Memphis || Lost 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Navy Midshipmen|border=0|color=white}}"| Navy || 2 || Oct. 14, 2023 || Oct. 19, 2025 || NA || 0–2 || L 17-51 @ Navy || Lost 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Texas Mean Green|border=0|color=white}}"| North Texas• || 2 || Oct. 26, 2019 || Oct. 10, 2020 || 2025 || 2–0 || W 49–21 @ N. Texas || Won 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Rice Owls|border=0|color=white}}" | Rice• || 6 || Nov. 28, 2015 || Sept. 28, 2024 || 2025 || 3–3 || W 21–20 @ Rice || Won 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|SMU Mustangs|border=0|color=white}}" | SMU† || 1 || Sep. 30, 2023 || NA || NA || 0–1 || L 16-34 @ SMU || Lost 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Temple Owls|border=0|color=white}}"| Temple || 2 || Oct. 22, 2015° || Sep. 24, 2016° || 2025 || 0–2|| L 20–34 @ Temple || Lost 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Tulane Green Wave|border=0|color=white}}"| Tulane || 1 || Oct. 31, 2024 || 2025 @ Tulane || 2025 || 0–1 || L 3-34 @ Charlotte || Lost 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Tulsa Golden Hurricane|border=0|color=white}}"| Tulsa || 1 || Nov. 4, 2023 || NA || NA || 1–0|| W 33-26OT @ Tulsa || Won 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|UAB Blazers|border=0|color=white}}"| UAB• || 4 || Nov. 21, 2017 || Nov. 30, 2024 || NA || 2–2|| W 29–27 @ Charlotte || Won 1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|South Florida Bulls|border=0|color=white}}" | USF || 2 || Nov. 25, 2023 || Nov. 16, 2024 || 2025 || 0–2 || L 24-59 @ Charlotte || Lost 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|UTSA Roadrunners|border=0|color=white}}"| UTSA• || 2 || Nov. 21, 2015 || Nov. 26, 2016 || 2025 || 0–2 || L 14–33 @ UTSA || Lost 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|Total|37|Sep. 19, 2015|Nov. 30, 2024||13–24|W 29–27 vs UAB | Won 2 }}
|}
(*)Annual rival game,
(°)Non-conference game,
(•)Includes C-USA games,
(†)No longer an AAC member
Forty Niner seat licenses
To generate financial support for the launch of the football program, Chancellor Dubois created a program called Forty Niner Seat Licenses, or FSLs, which essentially served as seat deposits for season tickets. The Chancellor initially set forth a goal of 5,000 FSL reservations within 6 months. However, due to the tremendous level of support for the new program, the goal was met in only 2 months.{{cite web |url=http://lincolntribune.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=10288 |title=49ers FSL Numbers Reach Goal of 5,000 |publisher=Lincolntribune.com |access-date=April 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713210627/http://lincolntribune.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=10288 |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
In February 2008, a fundraising capital campaign was established and led by prominent community leaders. These leaders included Mac Everett, Johnny Harris and Gene Johnson. Additionally, three other UNC Charlotte alumni were introduced as executive chairs: David Hauser, chief financial officer for Duke Energy Corporation; Bob Hull, chief financial officer for Lowe's Companies, Inc.; and Joe Price, chief financial officer for Bank of America Corporation.{{cite web |url=http://www.charlotte49erfootball.com/pdf/FBpressconference021009.pdf |title=Feb 10 2008 Press Release |access-date=August 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007055437/http://www.charlotte49erfootball.com/pdf/FBpressconference021009.pdf |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
Seat licenses are being sold in three tiers of seating: Green, Gold and White Gold. Green seat licenses are being sold at $1,000 per seat and will be located between the 30 yard line and the end zone; Gold seat licenses at $2,500 per seat and will be located between the 30 yard lines; and White Gold seat licenses at an undisclosed amount in a block of exclusive seating.{{cite web |url=http://www.charlotte49erfootball.com/purchase.html |title=Charlotte 49er Football 49ers Seat License (FSL) |publisher=Charlotte49erfootball.com |access-date=August 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729170928/http://www.charlotte49erfootball.com/purchase.html |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Seat locations will be determined by the ticket holders' Charlotte 49ers Athletics Foundation rank which is determined by the amount of the cumulative financial contribution the donor has made to the foundation.
Stadium
{{Main|Jerry Richardson Stadium}}
Chancellor Dubois conducted a lengthy review process of the committee's results before making his final recommendation to the board of trustees. He presented the findings of his own internal review to the board at a June meeting which included estimates from stadium design firm Populous. The estimates significantly increased facilities construction numbers from the feasibility committee figures. They were also significantly higher than those for a much larger facility recently constructed for the University of Central Florida's Bright House Stadium.
On February 12, 2010, the University of North Carolina's board of governors approved a debt service fee increase to fund the construction of the football stadium and football center,{{cite web |url=http://publicrelations.uncc.edu/news-events/news-releases/unc-board-governors-approve-football-funding |title=UNC Board of Governors approve football funding |author=UNC Charlotte Office of Public Relations |date=February 12, 2010 |publisher=publicrelations.uncc.edu |access-date=September 3, 2011}} and on August 2, 2010 Governor Bev Perdue signed the debt service fee bill into law to clear the way for stadium construction.{{cite news |title=49ers football gets Governor's boost |first=David |last=Scott |url=http://publicrelations.uncc.edu/news-events/news-releases/unc-charlotte-trustees-approve-financing-plan-football |newspaper=The Charlotte Observer |date=August 3, 2010 |access-date=September 3, 2011}} Designed by the architecture teams of Jenkins-Peer Architects and the DLR Group, its location was shown near the campus entrance at Highway 29 north of Hayes Stadium.{{cite news |title=Sales slow as UNC Charlotte unveils stadium plans |first=Erik |last=Spanberg |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/queen_city_agenda/2010/09/sales_slow_as_stadium_plans_unveiled.html |newspaper=Charlotte Business Journal |date=September 24, 2010 |access-date=September 3, 2011}} On April 28, 2011 Charlotte held a groundbreaking ceremony for the football stadium.{{cite news |title=UNC Charlotte kicks off football |first=Erik |last=Spanberg |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/queen_city_agenda/2011/04/niners-kick-off-football.html |newspaper=Charlotte Business Journal |date=April 28, 2011 |access-date=September 3, 2011}} The stadium was completed in summer 2012. The 49ers' first game was a 52–7 win over Campbell on August 31, 2013.
Future non-conference opponents
Announced schedules as of October 7, 2024.{{cite web| title=Charlotte 49ers Football Future Schedules|publisher=FBSchedules.com| url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/charlotte/|access-date=September 17, 2024}}
| class="wikitable" |
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|2025|2026|2027|2028|2029|2030|2031}} |
| vs Appalachian State*
| vs The Citadel | at Ole Miss | vs Charleston Southern | at Ohio St. | at NC State | vs NC State |
| vs North Carolina
| vs Ole Miss | vs Elon | at Appalachian State | vs Appalachian State | vs Appalachian State | |
| vs Monmouth
| at Appalachian State | vs Appalachian State | | at James Madison | | |
| at Georgia
| at Louisville | | | | | |
(*) 2025 Duke's Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium
Attendance
The largest crowd for a Charlotte football game at Jerry Richardson Stadium is 19,151, which was achieved on September 8, 2018, against Appalachian State University.{{cite news|title=Appalachian State wears down Charlotte 49ers 45-9 before record crowd|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=September 8, 2018|access-date=October 15, 2018|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article218075910.html}} The previous record was 18,651, set in the season home opener in 2017.{{cite news|title=The Point After: NC A&T at Charlotte|work=Charlotte 49ers|date=September 16, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2017|url=http://www.charlotte49ers.com/news/2017/9/17/football-the-point-after-nc-a-t-at-charlotte.aspx?path=football}}
=Single Game Attendance=
| class="wikitable" | |||
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|Team|Date|Score|Attendance}} | |||
| | Appalachian State | September 8, 2018 | L 9–45 | 19,151 |
| North Carolina A&T | September 16, 2017 | L 31–35 | 18,651 |
| Florida Atlantic | September 26, 2015 | L 7–17 | 17,444 |
| East Carolina | October 5, 2024 | W 55–24 | 17,102 |
| Gardner-Webb | September 14, 2024 | W 27–26 | 16,715 |
| Campbell | August 31, 2013 | W 52–7 | 16,630 |
| North Carolina Central | September 14, 2013 | L 13–40 | 16,630 |
| UNC Pembroke | October 12, 2013 | L 22–45 | 16,630 |
| Chowan Hawks | September 7, 2013 | W 47–7 | 16,598 |
| Presbyterian | September 12, 2015 | W 34–10 | 16,331 |
=Attendance by season=
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Charlotte 49ers|Decade|Season|Games|Sellouts|Record (Pct.)|Attendance|Average|Best |
|-
| rowspan="7"|2010's || 2013 || 6 || 4 || 3–3 ({{Winning percentage|3|3}}) || 93,244 || 15,540 || 16,630
|-
| 2014 || 6 || 2 || 3–3 ({{Winning percentage|3|3}}) || 79,632 || 13,272 || 15,875
|-
| 2015 || 6 || 3 || 1–5 ({{Winning percentage|1|5}}) || 87,603 || 14,606 || 17,444
|-
| 2016 || 6 || 1 || 1–5 ({{Winning percentage|1|5}}) || 85,154 || 14,192 || 15,807
|-
| 2017 || 6 || 1 || 1–5 ({{Winning percentage|1|5}}) || 71,420 || 11,903 || 18,651
|-
| 2018 || 6 || 1 || 4–2 ({{Winning percentage|4|2}}) || 70,263 || 11,710 || 19,151
|-
| 2019 || 6 || 1 || 5–1 ({{Winning percentage|5|1}}) || 73,924 || 12,321 || 16,119
|-
| Totals || 2010's || 42 || 13 || 18–24 ({{Winning percentage|18|24}}) || 561,240 || 13,363 || 19,151
|-
| rowspan="5"|2020's || 2020 || 2 || 0 || 1–1 ({{Winning percentage|1|1}}) || 1,756† || 878 || 1,042
|-
| 2021 || 6 || 1 || 4–2 ({{Winning percentage|4|2}}) || 79,753 || 13,292 || 16,050
|-
| 2022 || 6 || 0 || 1–5 ({{Winning percentage|1|5}}) || 65,439 || 10,907 || 13,940
|-
| 2023 || 6 || 2 || 1–5 ({{Winning percentage|1|5}}) || 74,828 || 12,471 || 15,659
|-
| 2024 || 6 || 3 || 3–3 ({{Winning percentage|3|3}}) || 84,820 || 14,137 || 17,102
|-
| Totals || 2020's || 26 || 6 || 10–16 ({{Winning percentage|10|16}}) || 306,596 || 11,792 || 17,102
|-
| Totals || All-time || 68 || 19 || 28–40 ({{Winning percentage|28|40}}) || 867,836 || 12,762 || 19,151
|}
Note:
† 2020 season attendance figures were affected by state and university quarantine decisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For specific details see the 2020 season page
Notes and references
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Charlotte 49ers football navbox}}
{{University of North Carolina at Charlotte}}
{{American Athletic Conference football navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Charlotte 49ers Football}}