FRISCO, TX -- Brad Lambert's Charlotte 49er football team has nowhere to go but up.

  • The team had one win last season
  • Lambert decided to make changes to staff
  • 2018 season opens Sept. 1 at home against Fordham

2017 was a nightmare for the green and gold as their lone bright spot was an overtime win against Alabama-Birmingham in the homecoming game.

One win.

The dismal season prompted Lambert to make changes to his staff, firing defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt, quarterbacks coach Jeff Mullen and receivers coach Damien Gary.  Glenn Spencer is the new defensive coordinator, Shane Montgomery is the new offensive coordinator, and the changes go on from there.

"It was one of those seasons where you don't succeed on the field like you expect to," Lambert said at the Conference USA Football Media Day Thursday.  "You look at all aspects, you don't want to stay the same, so we made some changes.  We made some changes in all facets of our program, and heading into 2018, this is our new football team since January.  We wanted to make sure we get everything the way we want it going into this season."

Charlotte defensive back Ben DeLuca has been named to the Conference USA preseason All-Conference team, in a vote by the coaches in the conference.  DeLuca will hope to be a leader for the defense this coming season.

The 49ers open the 2018 season Sept. 1 at home against Fordham, with a 6:00pm kickoff.

Get the latest news, sports and weather delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to sign up for email and text alerts.