Charlotte 49ers coaching search: NC State’s Tony Gibson withdraws from consideration
The Charlotte 49ers are still looking for a new head coach after firing Biff Poggi, but they won’t be led by N.C. State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.
Named a finalist for the head coaching job on Sunday, along with Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and Charlotte interim head coach Tim Brewster, Gibson pulled out of the running Tuesday. Petrino also withdrew from the 49ers’ search Tuesday.
Charlotte finished the season 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the American Athletic Conference. Under Brewster, the 49ers won their final two games.
The 49ers created an internal and external search committee, which features athletic director Mike Hill and university chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. The school hoped to have a decision this week.
Gibson was considered a strong candidate for the job due to his specialization on defense.
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren hired Gibson, a West Virginia native, in 2019 as the co-defensive coordinator alongside Dave Huxtable. Huxtable was fired in 2020 and Gibson became the sole defensive coordinator.
Under Gibson, the Wolfpack finished in the FBS top 25 for scoring defense in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He was a finalist for the 2021 Broyles Award, which is given to the nation’s top assistant.
Gibson also served as the linebackers coach from 2020-24, playing a key role in Payton Wilson’s development. Wilson earned the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker and Bednarik Award for top defender in 2023. He was inducted into the Wolfpack Ring of Honor in November.
“Coach Gibson is everything to me, changed my life, saved my life, all of that,” Wilson said after his Ring of Honor ceremony. “I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me. Everything that I did here was for him, coach Doeren and all those guys. All the effort that they put into me, I try to give the same back.”
Gibson came to Raleigh after spending time at West Virginia, his alma mater. The longtime coach spent two stints with the Mountaineers, coaching from 2001-07 as the defensive backs coach and again from 2013-18 under Dana Holgorsen. He served as the safeties coach in 2013 and switched to defensive coordinator/linebackers in 2014.
Neal Brown was hired to lead WVU in 2018 and did not retain Gibson. Brown was fired on Sunday.
Gibson, who signed a three-year contract with N.C. State last December, was a candidate for the Duke head coaching job in 2023 after Mike Elko left for Texas A&M. Duke ultimately hired Manny Diaz.
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 12:17 PM.
