West Charlotte High taps into rival for new head coach  

HERBERT L. WHITE | THE CHARLOTTE POST

West Charlotte High reached across Mecklenburg County to hire Independence football coach D.J. McFadden for the same position.

West Charlotte High didn’t have to look far for its new head football coach.

D.J. McFadden, who coached Independence back to prominence, has been hired to coach the Lions program. McFadden, an Independence alumnus who coached his alma mater for five seasons, was the Patriots’ starting quarterback in 2005 and 2006 when the program who state championships. As head coach, McFadden led the Patriots to the 4A West final in 2023 before losing to eventual state champion Weddington.

Before taking over at Independence, the Patriots struggled to five straight losing seasons from 2016-20. 

West Charlotte is two seasons removed from winning the 3A state title under former coach Sam Greiner, who was dismissed in December. The Lions, who went 10-3, lost in the 8A regional final to eventual state title winner Hough.

Greiner helped bring the Lions back to prominence after years of struggle under multiple coaches. West Charlotte had three winless seasons between 2007-19 before he took over. 

This story will be updated 

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