Charlotte 49ers with 1-7 record, fires football coach Will Healy

Will Healy (courtesy Charlotte Athletics)

10/23/2022

Charlotte 49ers Director of Athletics Mike Hill has announced that fourth-year head football coach Will Healy has been relieved of his duties. Charlotte is currently 1-7 on the season and yesterday’s home loss to Florida International eliminated the 49ers from possible bowl consideration.     
           
“We are grateful to Will Healy for the incredible energy and enthusiasm he brought to our program,” said Hill. “He made an impact here that will never be forgotten. Sadly, however, our on-field results have not met expectations. Will and his family are special people and we wish them the best.”
           
As the 49ers head coach, Healy had a 15-24 record, including a 10-14 mark in Conference USA play. He led the 49ers to their first bowl game in his first season in 2019. Charlotte went 7-6 that season with a 5-3 record in C-USA. The 49ers were 2-4 in the pandemic-riddled 2020 season. In 2021, Charlotte posted its first win over an opponent from an Autonomy Five conference, 31-28, vs Duke. Highlighted by the Duke win, Charlotte started 4-2 before finishing the season with a 5-7 record. 
 
“I want to thank Mike Hill, Chancellor (Phil) Dubois and Chancellor (Sharon) Gaber for giving me the opportunity and support at this special place,” Healy said. “We were fortunate to have some special moments. I was able to work with some outstanding coaches and staff members and coach an incredible group of young men. I want to thank the students, boosters and fan base for the support they’ve shown over the years and I apologize for not being able to bring the results that we were striving for. I’m really proud of the young men in our locker room. I’m a 49ers fan for life and I know the future of this university is bright.”
           
The 49ers have named offensive line coach Pete Rossomando as the interim head coach. Rossomando is in his second season with the 49ers.  A coaching veteran, he has previous head coaching experience at New Haven and Central Connecticut State. He was named the NCAA Div. II National Coach of the Year following the 2012 season at New Haven and was the Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year in 2010, 2011 and 2012. He was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of the Year Award in 2017 while at Central Connecticut State.

 
The 49ers will begin a national search, immediately.

COURTESY CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS