North Carolina assistant head coach for defense, Charlton Warren works with his unit during the opening day of spring football practice on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Robert Willett
rwillett@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH
Student-athletes often dream of coaching after their playing days are over, hoping to remain part of the sport and mentor young players. Former N.C. State and Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall is one such example, quickly moving into a coaching role after medical retirement.
Charlton Warren did not have that same aspiration.
The Wolfpack co-defensive coordinator and position coach for safeties and nickelbacks wanted to be a general in the United States Air Force. He attended the Air Force Academy, played football and served in active duty for a decade. His resume includes time with the U.S. Special Forces.
His service unexpectedly inserted Warren into the coaching profession when he was tasked with coaching football at the academy. Warren began coaching in 2005 and quickly saw how a coach — from recruitment to graduation — could positively impact a person’s life. He decided to trade in fighter jets for footballs.
“When it came time to move, I said, ‘I love my country. I love what I’m doing in my career field, but I feel like I can have a bigger impact on kids’ lives by doing that,’” Warren said.
His career took him to Georgia, Nebraska, Tennessee and UNC, twice. Now, Warren seeks to bring his experience to N.C. State. His coaching philosophy is rooted in toughness, energy, accountability, discipline and perspective. He even earned the Mr. Intensity Award when he played. Warren wants to model those things for his players, on and off the field.
“I understand how badly we want to win football games and championships, but also I understand how great it is to take care of young men and make sure they’re mentored and coached the right way,” Warren said. “You’re going to lose some — and I hope we win a bunch more than we lose — but those young men have to be guided the right way.”
Tennessee Volunteers defensive backs coach Charlton Warren warms up with players during fall football practice at Anderson Training Facility. Calvin Mattheis Calvin Mattheis-USA TODAY Sports
Building a solid foundation
A bunch of eyes stared back at Warren when he met with the team for the first time. That’s one of his favorite moments in coaching, because it starts the relationship-building and mentoring process.
Warren emphasizes the importance of trust and said that much of the offseason would be spent earning it. He wants dinners, practice sessions, meetings and small acts to lead to buy-in. The new assistant wants an acceptance of teaching, instruction on fundamentals, healthy communication and discipline to create an environment where players fight for one another. He wants them to improve as athletes and individuals.
Those things lead to wins — in the team’s record and individual development.
“We don’t play a football game for a really long time around here,” Warren said. “The great part about that, I’m going to pour into them as humans more than I am as a football player, because I have more time right now to do that. To me, that’s how you build trust. They will know really soon how much I care about them as young men; how much I want to mentor them.”
He’s already on his way. Cornerback Jackson Vick told reporters Warren invited players to his house for a cookout with the goal of getting to know them better away from the field.
Jaren Sensabaugh clicked with Warren on the first day. His new position coach reminds the freshman of his own dad.
“He coaches with a lot of detail, coaches with a lot of passion,” Sensabaugh said. “I think that’s what’s really necessary for you to accelerate your learning, and he leaves no questions.”
Georgia defensive backs coach Charlton Warren during the Bulldogs’ practice in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, March 21, 2019. Steven Colquitt Special to the Telegraph
A rave review
Former UNC head coach Mack Brown admires Charlton Warren, enough so that he took time before a vacation to praise the new Wolfpack assistant. Brown said Warren lives out the things he talks about.
His desire to help N.C. State achieve more than wins and championships is nothing new. Brown said Warren certainly wants to win — that’s nonnegotiable — and he witnessed Warren helped with athletic and character development. Warren is confident, hard-working, passionate and tenacious and instills those traits in his players.
He also teaches them that football is only part of their lives; it’s not the whole thing.
“I think that military background, that perspective on life, has really given me all the tools I need to help those young men in my room understand the bigger picture in life, and also make them competitive,” Warren said.
Warren coached with the Tar Heels two separate times. His first stint took place from 2015-16 under Larry Fedora and his second from 2022-24 under Brown. He worked at Georgia before returning to Chapel Hill, where Warren worked as the assistant head coach for defense, co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at various times.
There were a few reasons Brown wanted to hire Warren for a second time at Carolina. Brown talked about Warren’s experience as a defensive coordinator, his relationship with former DC Gene Chizik, his character and recruiting skills. The military background spoke volumes as well.
Brown never worried about Warren, appreciating and respecting the way the 48-year-old carried himself. He felt confident his assistant would handle every situation, personal or professional, with class. He always did the right thing.
Warren knew how to get good results out of his players, too, Brown said. He’s a good person and a skilled teacher.
Marcus Allen played three seasons under Warren, recording 14 pass deflections, a trio of interceptions and 101 tackles. In two seasons, Alijah Huzzie racked up 14 pass breakups, four interceptions, 82 tackles and a pair of sacks. Huzzie earned All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2023 and 2024.
As a team, Carolina recorded 128 pass deflections and 30 interceptions in his second tenure with the Heels. Twelve interceptions took place in 2023; they were the most since 2019. The Tar Heels finished with three pick-sixes in 2024.
“He has great integrity, he’s really smart. Obviously, he’s driven,” Brown said. “He pushes the guys but in a very positive way, and he’s tough as nails. If I was gone and needed to leave my kids or grandkids with somebody, he’s the perfect type of person to leave them with.”
Handling the rivalry with grace
Warren’s closet was filled with blue less than six months ago. Who knows, there might still be some in storage.
The decision to work at a rival school might seem unconventional to fans. Except there certain things transcend rivalries, such as a job with a competitive program based on values he admires and the opportunity to mentor young players. Plus, the new role in Raleigh meant his family didn’t have to move.
“Any football coach in their right mind would want to run this way,” Warren said. “For me, it wasn’t just about location. That was easy for me. It was the culture, the climate, the fan base; those things really excite me as a football coach and a lover of college athletics.”
UNC fired Brown in November. He was allowed to coach the regular-season finale against N.C. State but did not coach the bowl game. Brown said one of the most difficult parts of leaving a program is the impact it has on assistant coaches and operations staff. Roughly 75 employees no longer have jobs. Offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens is one of the only returning assistants under Bill Belichick.
“One of my main responsibilities, I felt like, was that I do everything within my power to help the guys and the ladies in our program find a place and find a place that they fit,” Brown said. “I talked to all the guys about opportunities. I know most of the head coaches, so I’d call head coaches and talk to them about what the guy did for us. That was very important for me to help.”
Brown always wanted to beat N.C. State, but he doesn’t hate the university, the program or head coach Dave Doeren.
The same goes for Warren, Brown said. He won’t get into mudslinging, but there also should be no concerns about the dedication his former assistant will bring. Warren will recruit top players, coach with excitement and be a positive representative for the school.
“N.C. State fans can take pride in the fact that they have a war hero that helped keep our country safe, and now he’s one of the best coaches in the country,” Brown said. “I’m proud of him every day. I’m proud to have coached with him, and proud that he and I worked together.”
