Charlotte 49ers athletic director Mike Hill out as program pivots
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon Gaber and Director of Athletics Mike Hill. Photo: Courtesy Charlotte 49ers athletics
Mike Hill is out as the Charlotte 49ers athletic director effective immediately, UNC Charlotte announced Thursday.
Why it matters: The 49ers, like college programs across the country, are in the midst of major transition coupled with massive plans for upgrading their athletics facilities.
The intrigue: Hill signed a four-year contract extension last September.
Catch up quick: Hill was hired in February 2018 after nearly 25 years with the Florida Gators.
- Under Hill, the 49ers moved from Conference USA to the American Conference and hired eight new head coaches, a deputy A.D. for external affairs and an executive A.D., according to the school's website. Charlotte also added women's lacrosse.
- The program also rebranded and kicked off its EverGreen Athletics Facilities Master Vision — a multiphase and multimillion-dollar plan to level up its athletic facilities.
- The school broke ground on the $70 million first phase of expansion for its football stadium in August and had waitlisted season tickets for football for the first time in program history.
- Hill's departure does not alter the university's plans or timelines for the changes to its athletic facilities, per a university spokesperson.
By the numbers: The school's entire athletics budget has increased from roughly $29 million when Hill was hired to approximately $49 million, Hill told Axios in an August interview.
Yes, but: The 49ers (1-5) have failed to produce a winning football program, and Hill hired three of the program's four head football coaches (the program kicked off in 2013). Plus, the program made its only bowl game appearance in 2019.
What they're saying: The school cited the need for a "new approach" due to changes in college sports. UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber also thanked Hill for his work with the program.
- Hill "played a pivotal role in many important advances for our athletics department, including the move to the American Conference," Gaber said. "His hiring of head football coach Tim Albin has also set us on a path toward success."
- Hill thanked the university's coaches, student-athletes and staff in a statement. "I'll truly miss you," Hill said. "We will be joining our incredible fans in cheering you on and celebrating many championships to come."
- Hill also said he is "forever grateful to Phil Dubois for the opportunity to lead this program and to Sharon Gaber who leads the university with such vision and strength."
What's next: Jesh Humphrey, UNC Charlotte's vice chancellor for institutional integrity and general counsel, will oversee the school's athletics department in the interim.
- A timeline for a new athletic director to be in place has not been established, a UNC Charlotte spokesperson tells Axios.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and has been updated to include responses from the university.