Charlotte promotes Aaron Fearne to head basketball coach

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Aaron Fearne has been promoted to Charlotte basketball's full-time basketball coach after taking the 49ers to a 15-8 record and second in the AAC.

Aaron Fearne no longer goes by “interim head coach.”

Charlotte Athletic Director Mike Hill on Monday named Fearne the 49ers’ 14th head coach.

“From the moment he took over the basketball program last summer, Aaron Fearne has demonstrated that he is the right man for this job,” Hill said. “In our first year in the AAC, he has our team competing for a league championship and has completely re-energized our fan base. The players believe in him and so do we. This is a great day for Niner Nation.”

Charlotte is 15-8 in their 2023-24 season and second in the AAC. Since taking over as interim head coach in June, Fearne has shifted the program to relevancy in its new conference. There are more fans inside Halton Arena and there is more buzz around the program. A lot of that has to do with winning – and it is showing on the court. The 49ers offense is playing faster, but the defense has been key, currently ranked No. 24 in the country in fewest points allowed per game.

“Coach Fearne has done phenomenal work since assuming the role of interim head coach,” UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber said in a statement. “In just a few months, coach Fearne, his staff and players have won the hearts of students, alumni and Niner fans everywhere. We look forward to a bright future under his leadership.”

The 49ers were picked to finish 13th in the AAC in preseason polling. After losing their first conference game to SMU, Charlotte put together an eight-game winning streak, knocking off nationally ranked Florida Atlantic in the process. The win against FAU was the first time in 14 years that the 49ers beat a ranked opponent at Halton.

“This team is super connected,” Hill said. “They love playing together and it shows. [Fearne] is really bringing the best out of these guys and not allowing them to be satisfied either. With the recent success that they’ve had, it is a continual push to get better and accomplish more.”

Prior to a much-anticipated in-state rivalry game against East Carolina, students camped outside Halton and named the area “Fearneville.”

“It is an unbelievable honor to lead Charlotte basketball,” Fearne said in a statement. “I am thankful to the players and staff for believing in me last summer and wanting me as their head coach and I am humbled that Mike, Chancellor Gaber, and the board of trustees believe in me as well.”

For Hill, there was no better time to remove the interim tag.

Fearne will be under contract through the 2029 season. His compensation will include a base salary of $500,000 a year with another $250,000 in supplemental funds for a total of $750,000 annually throughout the duration of the contract.

“[Fearne] has galvanized this team and galvanized our fan base in a way that hasn’t been seen here for a long time,” Hill said. “I think he has instilled a level of toughness and competitive disposition that has made us a really difficult out when someone plays the Niners.”

Charlotte topped the 20-wins plateau last season, capped off by the College Basketball Invitational title under coach Ron Sanchez, who left to rejoin Virginia’s staff as an assistant coach. The 49ers lost two key players from last year’s team when Brice Williams and Aly Khalifa left for Nebraska and BYU respectively. But Fearne, a Charlotte assistant for five seasons, was able to retain a solid core group and bring in talent from the transfer portal to complete this season’s team.

“[Fearne] is an extremely strong leader,” Hill said. “He has a presence about him. There is a deep respect amongst the players and coaches for his basketball knowledge and experience. Again, I think he has demonstrated time and time again that he has an exceptional ability to get the most out of his players and his team. It has been fantastic to watch.”

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