Top Contenders to Succeed Charlotte 49ers Coach Aaron Fearne

Charlotte has started a national search for a new men’s basketball coach after parting ways with Coach Aaron Fearne. Athletic director Kevin White made the decision less than a month into his new role.

Why the change

Fearne led the program for three seasons and finished with a 47-51 record. The university bought out his contract for $1.5 million, which originally ran through 2029.

Charlotte’s NCAA Tournament drought now stands at 21 years. The program was a regular participant in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Financial and institutional context

The Fearne buyout joins other large payouts on the books. Those include $2.2 million to former athletic director Mike Hill and $1.3 million to ex-head football coach Biff Poggi.

White arrives from Clemson, where he had served as deputy athletic director from 2022 to 2026. He now oversees 19 varsity programs and has prioritized restoring postseason success.

Search timeline

The university opened the first American conference coaching search on Tuesday. With the NCAA Tournament about to tip off, some candidates remain tied to postseason teams.

Filmogaz.com first published this report on March 21, 2026, at 5:30 AM.

Top candidates

The list of Top Contenders to Succeed the Charlotte 49ers’ coach mixes assistants and experienced head coaches. Each brings different NCAA and regional connections.

Emanuel Dildy

Dildy is an assistant at Duke and was promoted to associate head coach. He joined the Blue Devils’ staff in 2023 and is credited as a high-level recruiter.

His prior stops include Oklahoma, Northwestern, Valparaiso, Missouri, Loyola Chicago, and Eastern Illinois. He works closely with perimeter players and current NBA prospects.

Earl Grant

Grant was dismissed by Boston College after five seasons with a 72-92 record. He previously rebuilt College of Charleston, going 127-89 and reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2018.

Grant has deep Carolinas ties. He served as an assistant at Clemson, Winthrop, and The Citadel, and he is a native of North Charleston, South Carolina.

Wes Miller

Miller was recently let go by Cincinnati after five seasons and a 100-74 mark. His Cincinnati teams reached two NIT quarterfinals but did not make the NCAA Tournament.

Miller compiled a 185-135 record at UNC Greensboro. He led that program to NCAA Tournament berths in 2017-18 and 2020-21 and won multiple SoCon honors.

Tod Kowalczyk

Kowalczyk has led Toledo since 2010 and owns a 315-211 record over 16 seasons. His teams reached the NIT four times between 2018 and 2023.

He has a prior connection to Charlotte’s chancellor from shared time at Toledo. The school interviewed him virtually after the previous coach’s departure in 2023.

What the new hire must deliver

White has stated the program must again compete for conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths. The next coach will be judged on ending the 21-year March Madness drought.

Sources say Charlotte seeks a leader who can recruit regionally and win in the American. The search will weigh experience, ties to the Carolinas, and a record of postseason appearances.

• Fired coach: Aaron Fearne — three seasons, 47-51.
• Buyout: $1.5 million (contract through 2029).
• Other buyouts: Mike Hill $2.2M; Biff Poggi $1.3M.
• Published: March 21, 2026, by Filmogaz.com.