Charlotte football at American Conference media day 

CAMERON WILLIAMS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

First-year Charlotte football coach Tim Albin took the podium July 25, 2025 at the American Conference media day in Charlotte.

No podiums were harmed during the American Conference football media day.

That’s because Tim Albin is Charlotte’s new coach. He succeeded Biff Poggi, who didn’t take kindly to being asked just three questions at his 2023 debut, which resulting in a loud thud on the podium. 
More questions were asked to Albin, who is cautiously optimistic about his first season in Charlotte.

“I'm looking forward to kicking this thing off,” he said. “We just finished up our last summer workout. … Players report Monday, and then we start up Tuesday, as we are looking forward to playing at Bank of America [Stadium] and a wonderful venue, Duke’s Mayo Kick Off Classic versus an in-state school, and we’ve got a lot of momentum and ticket sales, and we’re in a good spot.”
Here are a few notes from media day. 

1. No quarterback decision — yet

Albin is probably exhausted from hearing the question about if he and his staff have chosen a quarterback yet. With three options in transfers Connor Harrell (North Carolina), Grayson Loftis (Duke) and Zach Wilcke (junior college), it is a good problem to have but needs to be resolved sooner rather than later. Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch said during the spring that the goal was to have a sure-fire starter by game one. 

“The month of August will be so critical on the evaluation process,” Albin said. “We're going to be under the gun, and it'll probably require a little bit more meeting time with the coaches, one-on-one, as far as how they see it, and shuffling a depth chart, not only the quarterback position, but every position. … We all know how important it is. It'll be a three-man race. I believe that, but those first two weeks are going to be critical, because you’re not going to be able to rep three guys all the way up to game week.”

Albin said that the staff may have to do live work with the quarterbacks to make a thorough decision. Each candidate can create plays and each of them are intelligent. All three are competitive, and it’s leaving him with a very difficult decision. 

“I don't want to get repetitive on what I'm saying, but I'm not getting a lot of sleep during the evaluation process,” Albin said. I should have just said that and shut up. But that's just a fact.”

2. Charlotte is looking at running back by committee 

The 49ers lost transfer running back Don Chaney in the offseason. Chaney, who was previously at Louisville, was likely to be Charlotte’s primary running back. However, he was declared ineligible for reasons the team won’t make known publicly. 

The 49ers do, however, have several candidates that Albin has said are capable backs. Henry Rutledge and C.J. Stokes will both likely get on the field more often as well as some others.

“The room is capable,” Albin said. “Henry returns. [He is] electric. … A return specialist. He wants to return punts, he wants to return kicks. He wants to be the guy carrying the ball 25 times a game. Todd Fitch has got a tough job to find ways to get him touches. C.J. Stokes, it’ll be by committee. We brought in a couple [backs] after spring practice that are going to be in the mix. My guess is it’ll be by committee.”

3. Albin loves defensive linemen

Albin was asked about the biggest thing he has learned in the offseason roster building process. 

“They’re unselfish,” he said, “and they're like a group of D-linemen. OK, I love D-linemen. If you’ve got a good D-line room, a lot of the world’s problems in the game of football begin to work themselves out. … D-linemen, they don’t ever get any credit. They take on double teams, keep the linebackers free so those guys can run and hit and get all the credit, get their name in their paper.”
One defensive lineman who is going to be crucial is Utah State transfer Taz Williams. Albin was familiar with Williams from his time at Kent State, where Ohio and Kent State play other in the Mid-American Conference. 

“Taz, we got a little history with him,” Albin said with a smirk. “We played him when he was at Kent State prior to Utah State, and he’s got a great personality. He’d be a perfect example of it’s not about the money, equity piece, the transaction piece. I've got one shot left. I want to play and make some money in this game after I’m done, and so how am I going to do that?... He's going to be a pain in the rear end come August for the [opposing] offenses, I can tell you that.”

Looking ahead

Fall camp starts on July 28 when the players report. There are four weeks of practice until opening week. Albin is excited and wants his team playing for something meaningful at season’s end.
“I think a good goal for us would be, let’s have that last game of the season … be for something,” he said. “What’s that something? I don't know. … I want it to be for something. That’s what you want … get to a bowl game, a championship, whatever it might be. That’s what we’re after to get done.”

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