By Billy McGee
December 8, 2024
Tim Albin is expected to be the next head football coach of the Charlotte 49ers, as the two parties are working toward a five-year contract, according to ESPN insider Pete Thamel.
Sources: Charlotte is expected to hire Ohio University head coach Tim Albin as the school’s next head coach. The sides are working toward a five-year deal that’s expected to be completed in the near future. pic.twitter.com/AvTg0YYoYA
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 8, 2024
Albin, who led Ohio University to their first Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship since 1968, with a 38-3 victory over the Miami Redhawks Saturday night, has guided the Bobcats to three consecutive 10-win seasons.
Originally from Woodward, Oklahoma, Albin played college football at Northwest Oklahoma State and started his coaching career at Northeastern State. He joined the Ohio University football staff as the offensive coordinator in 2005, and was promoted to head coach in 2021, leading the Bobcats to a 33-19 record in four seasons. After going 3-9 in 2021, Albin orchestrated the program’s most successful three-season stretch in school history. The 2024 season marked his 20th year at Ohio University.
Albin’s offenses have typically been balanced, but he has been able to adjust to the personnel he has available. This season, the Bobcats relied heavily on the run, averaging 212.2 yard a game (13th in the nation), but in the past, Alpin has also had potent passing attacks. In 2022, Ohio averaged 278 passing yards per game, the 23rd most in the nation.
Albin will become Charlotte’s fourth head football coach in team history. Since their inaugural season in 2013, the program has had only one winning season (2019). This year, the team finished 5-7, firing head coach Biff Poggi on November 18, following the loss to University of South Florida. The 49ers won their final two games of the season under interim head coach Tim Brewster.
Charlotte’s recruiting class is currently ranked 128th, according to 247sports with five recruits committed, but yet to sign. There will definitely be some roster turnover with the transfer portal set to open on December 9. Charlotte has several players entering the portal including notable names like Colin Weber, Demon Clowney, Dontae Balfour, Terron Kellman, and their entire starting offensive line. Albin will need to retool the roster to be competitive in the American Athletic Conference next season. Keeping quarterback Deshawn Purdie should be a priority, as he showed some potential in his freshman season, throwing for 1802 yards and 10 touchdowns.
It’s a promising hire for Charlotte 49ers fans, but there will be early challenges ahead for Albin and company, as they look to rebuild the team and mirror the success he had in Ohio.
Update (8/9): The Charlotte 49ers have made the hiring official, and the introductory press conference will take place on Monday, December 9 (12 p.m.) at Halton Arena.
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