Charlotte football prepares to usher in the Tim Albin era 

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

The Charlotte 49ers open the season Friday against Appalachian State with a new coach in Tim Albin and starting quarterback in Connor Harrell.

Charlotte football is back.

After a long summer of uncertainty as to who the 49ers’ starting quarterback will be, it’s North Carolina transfer Conner Harrell for the 49ers’ opener against Appalachian State Friday at Bank of America Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

“[Offensive coordinator] Todd Fitch and I met yesterday or two days ago… and he has been very thorough with the evaluation process with all three [quarterbacks] really,” Charlotte coach Tim Albin said Tuesday. “I know that two weeks ago he went back and watched every clip of spring practice up to that point in fall camp. We graded everything. … We came to the conclusion that it was Connor’s opportunity to go. It was down to the wire. The other two have taken it well; they're accepting their roles, but we are still going to have competition.”

Albin feels Harrell’s intangibles are his best assets.

“With Connor specifically, it isn’t that he is the better passer or runner, because all three are capable of that,” Albin said. “Regardless of who is in the game, we are going to call the plays needed to win the game. … I just want [the quarterback] position to let the guys around him help him. They don’t have to do everything, just execute the offense. I think if we have a guy with that mindset, we will be just fine.”

Charlotte and App State have new head coaches and a lot of roster turnover for 2025. The Mountaineers have a quarterback battle as well, and Albin said scouting them has been challenging.

“[What we know about App State] is limited,” Albin said. “We are seeing film from two different programs. I had the opportunity to spend some time with coach [Dowell] Loggains this summer at the Quail Hollow event leading up to our game. I know that his team will be sound and disciplined.”

Loggains’ staff has more than 20 years of NFL coaching experience. 

“You don’t have that on your resume without being a quality coach,” Albin said. “He’s assembled a great staff, and I am looking forward to the challenge, but we are not going to worry about them. We are going to have to worry about Charlotte and how we play.”

Having as much roster turnover as Charlotte in the offseason when former coach Biff Poggi was terminated makes for a challenge with new players to mesh. There might be speed bumps in the opener, which poses one of the biggest hurdles. 

“To me, let’s rely on our fundamentals,” Albin said. “When there is something that we may not have seen before, which I am sure there will be, then let’s use the iPads and the technology on the sidelines we’ve got over there. We’ve got an outstanding staff that can go over to the sidelines and make adjustments, but it is going to be challenging, and I think [App State] is going to go through it as well.”

Albin appeared overcome with emotion during his midweek press conference and when asked about it, explained he was anxious to open a new season. 

“I'm just excited,” he said. “I've thoroughly enjoyed the last two days having been on the practice field with the guys. You can just see it, their attention to detail…. I want the guys to just go out there and know it's a game. It is a game. … It’s what they do. It is not who they are. I’m about who they are. And it’s just a game. It’s a great game. I want them to go out and have fun and represent our university the right way. I know they will.”

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