CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After Biff Poggi was dismissed on Monday, oddsmakers have already released the likely candidates to become the Charlotte 49ers’ next head coach. Poggi was fired after leading the 49ers to a 6-16 record across two seasons. The firing comes after back-to-back blowout losses to Tulane and South Florida. The 59-24 loss to USF on Saturday ensured that Charlotte won’t be bowl eligible for the fifth consecutive year. With the 2024 season at a loss, the 49ers are ready to turn the page and start looking for a replacement. CoachOdds Kerwin Bell, West Charlotte HC+400 Chris Weinke, Georgia Tech OC+425 Joe Cox, Ole Miss OC+475 Tre Lamb, ETSU HC+500 Pep Hamilton, former NFL coach+750 Tim Brewster, Interim HC+850 Clayton White, South Carolina DC+1000 Tony Gibson, NC State DC+1000 Steve Wilks, former Panthers HC+1800 Bill Clark, former UAB coach+1800 Odds courtesy of Bookies.com FAVORITES Kerwin Bell, Western Carolina HC As of today, Kerwin Bell is the favorite to become the next head coach at Charlotte. Bell, currently the head coach at Western Carolina, helped turned the program around since joining in 2021. During his tenure, he’s led the Catamounts to a 4-7 record in 2021, 6-5 in 2022, 7-4 in 2023, and 6-5 in 2024. Prior to this, Bell compiled a 66-35 record at Jacksonville in the FCS from 2007-2015. He won three Pioneer Football League championships. He’s also coached at Valdosta State, racking up a 27-7 record that includes an NCAA Division II Championship in 2018. Chris Weinke, Georgia Tech OC Chris Weinke, a former Heisman Trophy winner and BCS national champion, has been the offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech since 2023. While Georgia Tech isn’t a powerhouse program, it has seen tremendous success the past few seasons, specifically on offense under Weinke’s command. Over the past two years, the Yellow Jackets have defeated multiple ranked opponents, including Miami (twice) and North Carolina. Weinke has also been huge in Haynes King’s success. Weinke began his college coaching career at Alabama under Nick Saban. He previously played for the Carolina Panthers form 2001-06. Joe Cox, Ole Miss OC Joe Cox is an up-and-coming candidate that has quickly established himself as a brilliant offensive-minded coach. He’s the co-offensive coordinator at Ole Miss, where the Rebels are second in yards per game (539.6) and fourth in points per game (40.7). Ole Miss’ offense has been nothing short of spectacular. Cox would be a big-time upgrade for the 49ers that average just 329.7 yards per game (110th) and 21.6 points per game (112th). The 37-year-old coach previously coached the 49ers in 2021 as the tight ends coach. Cox is also a Charlotte native, as he played at Independence High School and later coached at Mallard Creek in 2014.