Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Gaudio departure may affect 49ers' hire

Wake Forest's coaching vacancy may also have ramifications in the Charlotte 49ers' search for a new head coach.

The 49ers recently focused their sights on Xavier associate head coach and former Wake assistant Pat Kelsey and a source said Wednesday Kelsey is a favorite among several Deacons athletic boosters to replace Dino Gaudio.

Kelsey interviewed with Charlotte officials during the Final Four in Indianapolis but the 49ers have yet to announce any timetable on a decision. Kelsey has not responded to repeated requests for comment this week.

Charlotte athletics director Judy Rose and the school's chancellor, Dr. Philip Dubois, said they would not comment on potential coaching candidates during the hiring process.

--Kansas associate head coach Joe Dooley, a former head coach at East Carolina, remains a candidate for the Charlotte position. A source close to Dooley said Wednesday he expected to hear something from Charlotte "soon."

Former Niners assistant interviews at G-W

Former Charlotte 49ers associate head coach Rob Moxley interviewed Monday and Tuesday for the head men's basketball coaching vacancy at Gardner-Webb, a source close to the hiring process said.

Moxley is one of five candidates that have been interviewed for the position and is considered one of the leaders for the job, the source said.

Moxley was named associate head coach of the 49ers on May 1, 2006 and just completed his fourth season in that role and 12th year overall at Charlotte. He served as assistant coach for seven years (1999-2005) before accepting an assistant coaching position at Maryland in 2005-06. He returned to Charlotte after one season to take over as associate head coach.

Gardner-Webb fired coach Rick Scruggs on March 6. Moxley lost his position at Charlotte when 12-year coach Bobby Lutz and his staff were fired on March 15.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Hopkins withdraws from Charlotte coaching search

Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins has withdrawn his name from consideration for the men's head basketball coaching position with the Charlotte 49ers, two sources confirmed on Monday.

Hopkins just completed his 15th season as an assistant to longtime Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. He finished his playing career with the Orange in 1993. He came to Syracuse from Mater Dei High in Los Angeles and had a brief professional career in the CBA and in Europe before pursuing coaching.

Hopkins was believed to be the first candidate offered the 49ers' job, sources said. The 49ers fired 12-year coach Bobby Lutz on March 15. Xavier associate head coach and former Wake Forest assistant Pat Kelsey remains the frontrunner for the position, sources said.

A decision could come by the end of the week.

Former West Charlotte star wins A-10 honors

Former West Charlotte High standout Demario House was named the Atlantic 10 Men Performer of the Week after his outstanding performances at the Tiger Track Classic in Auburn, Ala., for the Charlotte 49ers. House competed in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and the 4x100-meter relay for Charlotte.

In the 100m, House ran a 10.53, which was the second fastest time of the season by a Charlotte sprinter. Later in the 200m dash, House clocked a 21.49, also the second fastest Charlotte time of the season.

House then finished the weekend by running the first leg of the 4x100m relay that posted a 40.50, which ranks as the fastest Charlotte time of the season and seventh fastest in Niner history.

Monday, April 5, 2010

49ers sweep weekly A-10 golf awards

Charlotte 49ers three-time all-America Corey Nagy, who played at Vance High, was named the Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Week while freshman Andy Sajevic eamed the A-10 Rookie of the Week award as the 49ers swept league honors following their victory at the Irish Creek Collegiate.

Nagy won his second individual title of the season and fourth of his career by shooting six-under par 207 at Irish Creek. Nagy shot a four-under par 67 in the final round to claim medalist honors. It was his fifth top five finish in nine events this year.

Sajevic finished tied for 26th at +8, 221 to help the 49ers to their 11-stroke victory.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

49ers lose recruit to Central Florida

Point guard Jarvis Davis, who had originally committed to the Charlotte 49ers, has instead committed to Central Florida, making his decision two days after the Knights hired Donnie Jones as their new coach.

Davis, who started his high school career in Columbia, currently plays for Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. Davis had decommitted from Charlotte after 12-year coach Bobby Lutz was fired two weeks ago.

Read the Orlando Sentinel's story on Davis' commitment here.

Charlotte 49ers basketball coaching update

Some more updates on the search for a new men's basketball coach for the Charlotte 49ers:

--Appalachian State coach Buzz Peterson is not under consideration by Charlotte officials to be the 49ers' next coach, two sources confirmed on Thursday. Peterson, 46, is in his second stint as coach of the Mountaineers. ASU finished 24-13 this season and Peterson compiled a 79-39 record in his first tenure as coach. Peterson has also coached at Tennessee, Tulsa, Coastal Carolina and before returning to Appalachian State, he served as director of player personnel for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.

--Florida State associate head coach Stan Jones is also in the mix for the 49ers' head coaching job, a source confirmed Thursday. However, it remains unclear whether Charlotte will interview Jones for the position.

--Kansas associate head coach and former East Carolina coach Joe Dooley has been contacted by the 49ers regarding their head coaching position and is expected to be interviewed at this weekend's Final Four in Indianapolis, a source close to the process said.

--Syracuse officials have not responded for repeated requests for comment on Charlotte's interest in Orange assistant Mike Hopkins.