Arms crossed, play sheet in his back pocket and shades on stood Tim Albin, observing the team he’s assembled in a short 100 days since taking over as the fourth head coach of the Charlotte 49ers’ football program.
But only for a split-second — then on to check in with the next member of his support staff as Day One of practice kicked off Tuesday at McColl-Richardson Field.
Tim Albin, the Charlotte 49ers new head coach, ran the players through an open practice at the university on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. John D. Simmons For the Observer
Charlotte’s opening day of spring practice promised two things: Albin is leading a detail-driven, communicative football team, and warmer days are around the corner.
“I love the energy — staff and player. We’re anxious, but the staff is in place. Back to the first day, I think everybody is eager and wanting to put their best foot forward,” Albin said. “Last spring (at Ohio), we had a lot of new faces. Not as many as I probably have here, because it’s all new. But I will tell you, that’s where college football is. There’s going to be roster turnover at most programs. We have it. That’s the environment we’re in, and our staff has a plan.”
Donning helmets, guardian caps, shorts and T-shirts, the 49ers took to the field inside Jerry Richardson Stadium for the first time as a team since Nov. 30, when they closed the Biff Poggi-era with a senior day victory.
Center Jonny King takes center stage
With faces from last season’s team falling few and far between, fifth-year center Jonny King has grown accustomed to the offseason alignment process, serving as both an anchor on the offensive line and a leader in a building of newcomers.
“This city needs a championship. This city needs a good football team. We know that. I think these guys are extremely hungry. They’re ready to go win something for Charlotte,” King said. “There’s a lot of people here that want to back us up, all we’ve got to do is win some games.”
Playing for his ninth offensive line coach and third head coach at Charlotte, the new regime’s energy was a deciding factor in King pulling his name out of the transfer portal and returning for his final season.
“They’re so energetic, and they’re passionate about football. They care about the people here,” King said of Albin and his staff. “It makes you want to play for them. It’s 100% the reason (I returned).”
Niners’ trio of transfer quarterbacks
And, of course, the quarterbacks. King has blocked for a handful of signal-callers through his Charlotte tenure, and his final season is leading with a three-way battle for the starting job.
“They’re great dudes. I think that every one of them brings a different element to the table, but they’re all really good quarterbacks,” King said. “I’m excited to see how they progress in spring ball, through summer and fall camp.”
Todd Fitch, Charlotte 49ers associate head coach, demonstrates a drill for quarterback #15,Conner Harrell, #12, Grayson Loftis, and #1, Zach Wilcke, during an open practice at the university on Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025. John D. Simmons For the Observer
With Grayson Loftis (Duke), Conner Harrell (UNC) and Zack Wilcke (Northwest Mississippi/Southern Miss) entering the fold, Charlotte’s leading passer in program history, Chris Reynolds, thinks Wilcke could be a dark horse for the job.
“He’s a football rat. He’s asking the right questions. There’s no ego — he wants to play,” Reynolds said of Wilcke on the Highway 49 Podcast. “I think people in the public would view him as the dark horse, coming from a smaller college. But I like being the dark horse. You’ve got your Duke guy, Carolina guy, and your hybrid. They seem like three different types of players based on the short film that I’ve watched. That’s a cool thing when you go through spring ball, figuring out what you want your identity to be.”
While splitting the reps equally, each quarterback deals with what is poised to be an experienced secondary under Albin. And reading each of their eyes as the ball is snapped is safety Ja’Qurious Conley, returning for his second season in green and gold after transferring in from North Carolina.
“So far, I think that’s going to be a really tough group. A competitive group. I played with Conner (Harrell) before, so I’ve gotten to see him in action,” Conley said of the quarterbacks. “I haven’t gotten to see these other two guys, so I’m just now getting to learn them. I think it’s going to be very competitive on that side of the ball.”
Former Tar Heels safety can’t wait for opener
With early installs and positional competition filling the nearly three-hour practice, Conley looked for energy and effort as he steps into a leadership role on the defense.
“The first day is more so just energy and effort. I feel like that’s more important on the first day. Everybody is going to make mistakes on the first day,” Conley said. “That’s easy to get cleaned up, so it’s more just making sure that everybody is paying attention to detail and has the right amount of effort. It’s love this year.”
Tuesday marked the first of 15 spring practices, which concludes with the program’s spring showcase on April 19. With the season-opener still five months away, Conley is looking towards Sept. 6 when Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels, Conley’s former team, travel to Richardson Stadium.
“I can’t wait to play them,” Conley said of UNC. “I can’t wait.”