QB Kevin Olsen, younger brother of Panthers’ Greg Olsen, transfers to Charlotte 49ers

Weeks after completing their first year as an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision member, the Charlotte 49ers enter the offseason with a different option at quarterback and an accomplished new assistant on coach Brad Lambert’s staff.

Kevin Olsen, younger brother of Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen and once among the nation’s top high school quarterback prospects, has transferred to Charlotte from Riverside (Calif.) City College.

And Dean Hood, recently fired as head coach at Eastern Kentucky despite a 55-38 career record, has been hired as Lambert’s assistant head coach and tight ends coach.

The addition of Olsen gives the 49ers four legitimate starting candidates at quarterback. Seniors Lee McNeill and Matt Johnson and sophomore Brooks Barden divided time as Charlotte went 2-10 this season, its first in Conference USA.

Olsen, a strong-armed, 6-foot-3, 220-pounder, figures to challenge for the starting spot. But since leaving Wayne Hills (N.J.) High in 2012 as a four-star prospect, Olsen’s time in college has been marred by off-the-field problems.

Originally signed by Miami, where he redshirted in 2013, Olsen left the school in September 2014 after reportedly being suspended multiple times. His final transgression at Miami, where he never played a down, was being charged with DUI and possession of a fake or stolen identification.

Olsen then transferred to the Football Championship Subdivision’s Towson, but was thrown off the team in March for violating team rules, according to the Baltimore Sun. He ended up at Riverside, where he threw for 1,080 yards and 13 touchdowns, completing 56.3 percent of his passes.

Lambert acknowledged there is a risk in taking on Olsen, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

“No question,” said Lambert. “The biggest thing is to give him a second opportunity in coming here. His brother is here in town and he’s got a good support system; his mom and dad live here. We met with his parents and went out (to California) to see him. We think Kevin’s ready to make the next move to take this opportunity, otherwise we wouldn’t have signed him.”

Lambert said Olsen’s time at junior college might have changed him.

“When guys go to junior college, they see another world,” said Lambert. “They see they had it pretty good. I’m not a guy who casts stones. I feel like he’s going to take advantage of this opportunity based on the support system that’s here in town.”

The arrival of Hood reunites Lambert with one of his oldest coaching friends. The two spent seven seasons together as assistants at Wake Forest under former Deacons coach Jim Grobe. Hood was Wake Forest’s defensive coordinator from 2001-2007, and was succeeded by Lambert in that job when Hood left for Eastern Kentucky in 2008.

Under Hood, the Colonels made the FBS playoffs three times. Although Eastern Kentucky had just one sub-.500 season under Hood and went 6-5 last season, he was fired in November.

“Dean won a lot of games at Eastern Kentucky and he brings a lot to us,” said Lambert. “He’ll bring a good defensive mind to our offense and the whole program.”

Hood’s arrival moves Johnson Richardson from tight ends coach to offensive line coach. The 49ers staff had to be quickly restructured before the season began when offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Phil Ratliff died unexpectedly.

Kevin Donnalley, who helped out with the offensive line last season, will return as a strength and conditioning coach and lead player personnel. Outside linebackers coach Napoleon Sykes (defense) and receivers coach Joe Tereshinski (offense) are co-recruiting coordinators.

Winston signs

The 49ers also announced the signing of defensive end Jamar Winston, who originally signed with the program in 2013. Winston (6-8, 265 pounds) couldn’t get into school academically after coming out of Irmo (S.C.) High and played the 2014 season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. Winston will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 6:39 PM with the headline "QB Kevin Olsen, younger brother of Panthers’ Greg Olsen, transfers to Charlotte 49ers."