Year 2 of the Tim Albin coaching era should provide the first indication of where Charlotte football is headed.
The 49ers revived their football program in 2013 and have enjoyed just one winning season since. Last year’s 1-11 record in Albin’s debut matched the worst mark of the bunch (2017 under coach Brad Lambert).
To be fair, Albin inherited quite a mess from the previous regime.
Things should trend upward for the 49ers in 2026 but Charlotte football is still very much a work in progress – from the roster to ongoing renovations happening at Jerry Richardson Stadium that won’t be ready until next fall.
Here is our look at the 49ers heading into the 2026 season.
📝 Published: June 29, 2026
🔄 Last Updated: June 29, 2026
Charlotte 49ers Football At A Glance
2025 Record: 1-11 overall
2025 Conference Record: 0-8 American (14th)
2026 Season Opener: Sept. 5 vs The Citadel
Head Coach: Tim Albin (2nd year)
Record at School: 1-11 (one year)
Career Record: 59-38 (eight years)
Offensive Coordinator: Todd Fitch (2nd year)
Defensive Coordinator: Nate Faanes (2nd year)
2026 NC Football News Prediction: 4-8
Five Things To Know
1. This is still a build, not a quick fix.
Charlotte is investing like a serious FBS program, but the roster, stadium project and American Conference footing are all still works in progress. Patience, fans.
2. The quarterback room is fascinating.
Grayson Loftis (Duke transfer), Conner Harrell (UNC) and Cole Gonzales (WCU) all have North Carolina ties, and each gives OC Todd Fitch a different option in Year 2 of the offense. Recent prep signees like Jaylen White (2026) and Luke McNulty (2025) provide depth and promise for the future.
3. The transfer portal has reshaped the roster again.
Charlotte added 20+ transfers, including help at receiver, running back, offensive line and defensive tackle, but the 49ers still need those additions to become real production.
4. The schedule does not offer many soft landings.
The Citadel opener is manageable, but Ole Miss, App State, Memphis, Tulane, ECU and Navy make this a tough climb.
5. Progress may matter more than the record.
After a 1-11 season, Charlotte needs to look tougher, cleaner and more competitive – even if the real breakthrough in the W-L column waits until 2027.
Why Charlotte Could Surprise
- Coach Tim Albin has rebuilt programs before, including 3-9 to multiple 10-win seasons at Ohio
- The staff is more stable – both coordinators return – and the roster has been upgraded at various positions
- Roster remakes are happening everywhere across the American Conference
Why Charlotte Could Struggle
- There is not much starting experience back (6 total on offense, defense)
- Tough schedule that includes a College Football Playoff qualifier and nearly all of the projected favorites in the American
- An offense that never really figured out how to score in 2025
The Number: 14.3
Charlotte averaged just 14.3 points per game last season, ranking among the nation’s lowest-scoring offenses. If the 49ers are going to make a jump in Year 2 under Tim Albin, that number has to climb significantly.
Who’s Back?
⭐ Returning Starters
Offense: 2
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 1
⭐ Returning Stat Leaders
Passing: Grayson Loftis, 1,415 yards, 8 TDs, 8 INTs,
Rushing: Jariel Cobb, 51 attempts, 190 yards, 0 TDs
Receiving: Gus McGee, 14 catches, 127 yards, 1 TD
Tackles: Kadin Schmitz, 66 tackles
Sacks: Curtis Simpson, 2.5
Interceptions: Kadin Schmitz, 2
Players To Watch
Offense
QB — Cole Gonzales: Transfer from Pitt/Western Carolina threw for more than 6,600 yards in three seasons at WCU and could push returnees Grayson Loftis and Connor Harrell for the starting job.
RB — Chance Williams: Multi-school transfer averaged 5.4 yards per carry and tallied more than 1,100 yards over two seasons at Grambling in 2022-23.
WR — Derrick Eley: Preseason all-conference as a kick-returner, ready for a breakout in the receiving corps after hauling in five catches for 97 yards, 1 TD in 2025.
OL — J’Ven Williams Jr.: Size (6-5, 315) and experience (21 games in three years at Penn State) will come in handy for a position group that lost all but one starter from 2025.
Defense
DL — DJ Burgess: Former JUCO All-American edge rusher should anchor a defensive front that will be much more experienced this season.
LB — Kadin Schmitz: Top returning tackler (66 stops in 2025) has been receiving all-conference mentions in national publications.
DB — Dy’lon Womach: Called the “quarterback of the secondary” by Phil Steele, earned 10 tackles in 2025
Special Teams
P – Bronson Long: Averaged 38.3 yards per punt (net) on 71 kicks last season, putting 16 inside the opponents’ 20.
𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 ⛏️
Four Charlotte 49ers make Phil Steele’s American Conference Preseason All-Conference teams🧱 pic.twitter.com/U3E7i3AxnO — Charlotte Football (@CharlotteFTBL) June 11, 2026
New Faces to Know
Transfer: WR Jaden Barnes (App State) – Second-leading pass catcher for the Mountaineers last season (608 yards, 7 TDs) posted more than 1,200 receiving yards over two seasons.
Transfer: DL Devin Ancrum – 6-1, 300-pound transfer from UNC expected to contend for starting nose tackle role.
Freshman: DB Josh Hines – Former Myers Park standout in Charlotte projects as a safety for the 49ers.
Freshman: QB Jaylen White – Florida prep star threw for 5,341 yards and 56 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons.
Three Games That Could Define the Season
Sept. 5 – vs. The Citadel
Why it matters: The season opener represents a chance to shed a nine-game losing skid and get the second year of the Tim Albin era off to a positive start.
Sept. 19 — at Appalachian State
Why it matters: Charlotte is 0-4 all-time in this burgeoning North Carolina football rivalry. Both teams welcomed new head coaches in 2025, and this will be a key measuring stick for the Albin era.
Nov. 14 – vs East Carolina
Why it matters: Another in-state rivalry game – this one against a conference foe – and another chance to show second-year improvements are real.
Schedule Snapshot
🏠 Home: 6
✈ Away: 6
⭐ Toughest Test: at Ole Miss, Sept. 12 – SEC power coming off a playoff berth
⚠️ Trap Game: The Citadel, Sept. 5 – don’t get caught napping against a gritty FCS foe
💥 Best Upset Chance: Memphis, Oct. 3 – The Tigers have been steady winners in the American, but are replacing nearly everyone (offense, defense, coaching staff).
👉 Explore the complete Charlotte 2026 Football Schedule, including opponents, game dates, kickoff times and results as they happen.
Recruiting Snapshot
High School Additions: 22
National Class Rank: 99th (247Sports)
Transfer Additions: 21
Transfer Class Rank: 96th (247Sports)
👉 Explore more about Charlotte Football Recruiting, including 2027 commitments and how the 2026 roster has been shaped.
Three Questions Facing Charlotte
Who takes the reins at quarterback?
The Niners need a steady (and healthy) leader who can grasp and execute Todd Fitch’s system. There are multiple capable players in the QB room but will one step up definitively?
Can Charlotte ramp up production on the offensive side?
The 49ers have more experience this season and will need to score a whole lot more than 14 points per game to be competitive.
Will school officials stay patient through Year 2 of the rebuild?
Albin has proven he can win at previous stops, taking Ohio from 3-9 to a MAC championship for example. But how patient will new AD Kevin White and other decision-makers at the school be if the wins are rare again in 2026?
Best Case/Worst Case
Best: The roster gels, the 49ers pull a few upsets to finish 6-6 and Albin’s second team sneaks into a bowl.
Worst: They beat The Citadel on opening night and don’t win again.
NC Football News Prediction
Record: 4-8
Conference Finish: 2-6
Bowl: Yes. In 2027
The Final Word
Charlotte will be a better and more competitive football team this fall than in 2025. Tim Albin was a great hire, and he’s proven he can take a G6 team on a climb up the conference standings.
But this year is still about foundation building and continuing to install Albin’s culture and systems.
Be patient, 49ers fans. The payoff could come as early as 2027 coinciding with the unveiling of the newly renovated Jerry Richardson Stadium.
🔗 Charlotte Football Resources
🏈 2026 Charlotte Football Schedule
📋 Charlotte Recruiting Tracker
📰 Latest Charlotte Football News
🏟️ North Carolina FBS Schedules
📅 2026 North Carolina College ‘Master Schedule’ (organized by week)
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