The Charlotte 49ers have hired former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt to the same position as the team prepares for their first season in Conference USA. Wallerstedt began 2014 in charge of the Red Raiders’ defense, but didn’t stick around long, resigning after just three games.
49ers Head Coach Brad Lambert was roommates with Wallerstedt when the two played together at Kansas State in the 1980s. Wallerstedt was named an All-American linebacker during his playing days with the Wildcats and led the team in tackles during his junior and senior seasons.
Wallerstedt’s brief tenure at Texas Tech was clouded by multiple controversies and rumors. In September 2014, ESPN.com reported that Wallerstedt had been fired by the Red Raiders after the coach was suspected of being at the school’s football building while under the influence of an unknown substance.
On Nov. 17, 2014, current Red Raiders defensive coordinator Mike Smith accused Wallerstedt supplying signals to Texas Tech’s opponents, although these accusations were never proven to be true.
“They have been passed around … I know other coaches have called and our signals have been passed around the whole time,” Smith told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “I don’t want to get into what’s going on with all that, but it’s not right, and to me, it’s not fair to the kids. So if that’s how that person wants to handle business, they can handle business that way. I sure hope I don’t run into him anytime soon.”
Despite Wallerstedt’s questionable reputation as of late, it’s clear the 49ers needed to make a change on the defensive side of the ball. Charlotte, who played the majority of the season without their two starting inside linebackers, allowed at least 40 points on four different occasions during the 2014 season.
The 49ers hit their lowest point on October 11 when they allowed 63 points and 689 total yards against The Citadel. Charlotte had no answer for the option offense The Citadel threw at them, allowing 553 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on the afternoon.
Wallerstedt will inherit a defense that returns nine of 11 starters from last season. Safety Desmond Cooper and linebacker Tyler DeStefani are the lone departures, but the returns of Caleb Clayton-Molby and Nick Cook as the leaders at inside linebacker should help unite a defense admittedly struggled with communication throughout the 2014 campaign.
Former Charlotte 49ers defensive coordinator Bruce Tall has reportedly returned to West Virginia where he spent five seasons as an assistant coach according to FootballScoop.com.
An official statement from the university regarding Wallerstedt is expected later this week.
The 49ers open the 2015 season on the road against the Georgia State Panthers on Thursday, Sept. 3. Charlotte will be making their FBS debut following two seasons in FCS football.