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Third times the charm?
Not many Athletic Directors have the opportunity to hire a third head coach in Football, especially when the previous 2 were relieved of their duties. Mike Hill has the chance to do just that, and from the sounds of his media availability this week, it appears he will be going more of the traditional hire route. That was music to this fan's ears, as I think most, if not all of us, are looking for some normalcy around Charlotte Football moving forward.
Full media availability recording with Mike Hill and interim HC Tim Brewster
I want to be clear on the following names, these are all from my vantage point, not derived from any inside information.
Current Head Coaches
Jason Candle, Toldeo
Candle just landed a contract extension, but I can't find terms for a new buyout anywhere online. The guy wins and was promoted at Toledo while Chancellor Gaber was there. His entire career is in the midwest, but does that really matter? 71-38 as a head coach sure as hell does.
Charles Huff, Marshall
What a strange situation, first of Marshall only gave him a 4-year deal, and there has been no extension since, so Huff is nearing the end of his initial deal with the Herd. He holds a 29-20 record overall and currently has his team in the first place of the Sun Belt's Eastern division. No buyout required.
Tyson Helton, WKU
Charlotte's faced Helton several times, and his Hilltoppers even won the Bahamas Bowl in Charlotte last year. His offenses are pretty fun, so that'd be a fun thing to have for once. He's 47-29, and 33-12 in league play. Bonus? 4-1 in bowl games. $800,000 buyout, not insurmountable, but can Charlotte swing it?
Mike Jacobs, Mercer (FCS)
He's in year 1 at Mercer, and they are rolling 9-2. Prior to that his programs crushed it at Lenior-Rhyne and Notre Dame (D-II). He played at Ohio State back in his collegiate dates. His career coaching record is 83-19. He just wins.
ADDED: Kerwin Bell (WCU)
Originally he was on my radar, then after a cursory look at his WCU record I took him off my list. Since there has been a good bit of talk around him, I decided to take a deeper look. He checks a lot of boxes, experienced and has shown the ability to win (really good at Jacksonville and Valdosta State). The tenure at WCU is a bit misleading just by Wins and Losses, 7-4 last year but ended up in top 25. At a really good 2023 class for WCU, #133 via 247Sports. It can't be easy to recruit to Cullowhee.
Pete Lembo, Buffalo
Buyout is $1.5m, striking him off the list.
Free Agents
Justin Fuente
Formerly of Virginia Tech and Memphis.
Dan Mullen
Thanks to his ESPN gig, Mullen has been on campus several times, including recently for the Tulane game. He's seen the facilities, time at Florida briefly overlapped with Mike Hill, and Hill likely was a part of the hiring process to lure him to Gainsville from Mississippi State.
There is always an opportunity to catch someone quickly on the rebound, say a Neal Brown (West Virginia).
Assistant Coaches
I don't expect this to be the route Mike Hill takes, but I felt that we would go an experience hire last time. In my opinion, Charlotte needs someone that doesn't need to learn how to be a head coach and run a program at this juncture. They need someone that's been there, and had some success.
Willie Simmons, Duke
I had a couple of folks drop his name on Twitter, and honestly, great call. Simmons is an experienced HC at the FCS level, with a 66-24 overall record, and an impressive 45-13 record at Florida A&M. Sounds like he jumped to Duke as RB coach to get FBS experience and help improve his odds at an FBS HC opportunity.
Alex Atkins, FSU (fired)
I don't see it with another year on his show clause. I think he'll need to be an OC or an analyst somewhere until his clause is up before he can land a HC job.
Joe Cox, Ole Miss
Spent a season here under Healy as TE coach, and is a local HS legend and former Georgia QB. Knows the area, knows Charlotte athletics. If you go for an up-and-comer, he checks a lot of the boxes.
Garret Riley, Clemson
Kendall Briles, TCU
Thinking more about this, and the word "integrity" that Hill likes to use, I've marked Briles off the list.
Bryant Haines, Indiana
Mike Hill and Charlotte must move fast, and they know it. That's why the trigger was pulled when it was. Next UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees meeting is December 4th, and I'd be shocked if the coaches contract isn't ratified then, with a decision coming in advance of that by 24-72 hours.
