Charlotte 49ers hire Wes Miller as next men’s basketball coach

Less than a week after parting ways head basketball coach Aaron Fearne, the Charlotte 49ers have hired former Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller as the program’s next men’s basketball coach, the school announced Monday.

Miller, known in the Carolinas for his 10-year stint with UNC Greensboro, was fired last week by Cincinnati at the end of a disappointing season in which the Bearcats finished seventh in the Big 12. The two sides agreed to terms on a mutual separation, with Miller receiving a $3.1M buyout, rather than the $4.9M he was owed, allowing the 43-year-old coach to immediately join the coaching carousel, where he was Charlotte’s first target.

Miller’s deal is reportedly for five years. He is taking over a team that hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2005.

“I’m incredibly honored to lead the Charlotte basketball program,” Miller said in a statement provided by the Charlotte athletic department. “This is a university with tremendous momentum, a passionate city behind it, and deep basketball roots in the state of North Carolina. From the moment I began talking with Kevin White and Chancellor (Sharon) Gaber, it was clear there is a shared vision to build a program defined by toughness, passion, and relentless energy. We’re going to pour everything we have into developing our student-athletes, competing at the highest level, and building a team that our campus and this city are proud to rally around. The foundation is here for something special, and I can’t wait to get to work because Charlotte’s stock is rising.”

The Greensboro native was the head coach for the UNC Greensboro Spartans from 2011-2021, appearing in the NCAA Tournament twice during that span (2018 and 2021). Miller has a 285-209 record as an NCAA head coach, following five-consecutive winning seasons with the Bearcats.

He also played for Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2003-07, winning a national title in 2005.

“Wes Miller is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the game and strong ties to basketball in our state,” White said in a news release. “Throughout this process, what stood out most was his passion, competitive energy, and clear vision for building a championship culture here at Charlotte.”

Miller has experience in the American Conference, joining Cincinnati in 2021 — two years prior to their departure to the Big 12. His best season as head coach with Cincinnati (finishing fourth in the American, appearing in the NIT quarterfinals), came in a much tougher league — before Houston, UCF, and the Bearcats moved to the Power Four.

Red Ventures CEO and local billionaire Ric Elias has been instrumental in the change for Charlotte, reportedly assisting with Fearne’s $1.5 million buyout and Miller’s hire.

While still awaiting contract figures for Miller, Fearne was making $750,000 per season at Charlotte, and Miller was bringing in $2.95 million annually from the Bearcats after signing an extension in 2022-23.

In his stint with Cincinnati, Miller posted a 7-22 record against ranked opponents, finished as high as fourth in the American and seventh in the Big 12, and reached the NIT quarterfinals in consecutive years.

New athletic director Kevin White has begun putting his imprint on Charlotte’s program less than a month after taking the job, moving on from Fearne and bringing in Miller.

As Charlotte looks to break the 21-year NCAA tournament drought, the 49ers’ financial commitment to the basketball program will be squarely in focus. According to the school, the team had a $4.1 million in operating budget in 2025, ranking low in the American, behind rival East Carolina.

This story was originally published March 23, 2026 at 10:21 AM.