Charlotte 49ers’ coaching search: Who will be named as the next head football coach?

The Charlotte 49ers’ head coaching search is expected to conclude in the next 24-48 hours, with athletic director Mike Hill naming the program’s fourth head football coach following Biff Poggi’s termination, according to sources.

With Hill’s shortlist dwindling over the past week, the 49ers are down to three candidates to take over the program following Poggi’s sub-two-year tenure. And despite winning the final two games as interim head coach, finishing 5-7, 4-4 in the American Athletic Conference, Tim Brewster is considered a long shot for the job.

Others in the mix include North Carolina State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson and Bobby Petrino, who has coached all across college football and the NFL. Although Hill made the hire for both Will Healy and Poggi, it’s unclear who will make the final decision on this opening. Charlotte’s athletic department fields a committee both internally and externally on the coaching hire, featuring university chancellor Sharon L. Gaber.

With the decision imminent, here are short bios on the two external candidates.

Tony Gibson, N.C. State defensive coordinator

Hill said he wants the program’s next head coach to specialize on one side of the ball, and Gibson fits that bill despite not having any previous head coaching experience. Gibson has served as N.C. State’s defensive coordinator since 2020, and was a nominee for the Broyles Award — given to the top college football assistant coach — in 2021.

Gibson, 52, led the Wolfpack to a top-25 defensive ranking in three consecutive seasons, spanning from 2021 to 2023. He earns $1.5 million annually as one of the Wolfpack’s top-paid assistants after signing a three-year deal worth $4.5 million last December. The West Virginia native was in the running for the Duke head coaching job, following Mike Elko’s departure, and has continued to garner interest as head man.

Bobby Petrino, Arkansas offensive coordinator

Currently serving as offensive coordinator in his second stint with Arkansas, Petrino has garnered interest from multiple American Athletic Conference programs this year. The 63-year-old has served as a head coach across college football and the NFL, leading Louisville (2003-06, 2014-18), the Atlanta Falcons (2007), Arkansas (2008-2011), Western Kentucky (2013) and Missouri State (2020-22).

Recently, Petrino has served as the offensive coordinator with UNLV (for three weeks), Texas A&M, and now Arkansas, where he calls the plays for the Razorbacks.

Petrino’s four-decade coaching career hasn’t been without drama, perhaps most notably a 2012 motorcycle accident turned scandal that resulted in his dismissal from Arkansas. Petrino earns $1.5 million annually with Arkansas, where he’s under contract until 2026.

This story was originally published December 1, 2024 at 3:07 PM.