Kevin Langan

Kevin Langan became the seventh head coach in the 36-year history of the 49ers men’s soccer program on January 3, 2012. Langan, who is entering his 13th season as Charlotte's head coach in 2024, previously served as the Niners' Associate Head Coach from 2009 to 2011.


In 2023, his 12th season at the helm, Langan guided Charlotte to a 12-4-1 overall record and an American Athletic Conference title, earning the 49ers their third league title in program history. The Niners also made their 10th NCAA Tournament appearance under Langan, advancing to the second round of the tournament after defeating High Point, 1-0, in a first-round home match. Five Niners would earn All-AAC honors, including four student-athletes who earned all-region accolades. Forward Jonathan Nyandjo would enjoy one of the most accolade-laden seasons ever had by a 49er. In addition to first-team all-conference and all-region honors, Nyandjo was a first-team All-American and a MAC Hermann Trophy award semifinalist. Nyandjo is one of five first-team All-Americans and one of two first-team All-American forwards/strikers in Charlotte's history. Following the season, junior Riyon Tori was drafted in the third round, 83rd overall and Nyandjo signed an MLS Next Pro contract with Crown Legacy FC.


In year 11 in the Queen City, Langan became the Niners all-time winningest head coach, earning his 118th victory in the Niners, 5-0, demolition of Detroit Mercy on September 9 at home at Transamerica Field. Charlotte finished the year with a record of 9-5-2, but got off to its best start in program history, earning wins in each of its first seven matches and outscoring its opponents, 31-2, in those seven contests. CLT finished the year with 46 regular season goals which ranked first in the nation heading into postseason play. In true Langan fashion, the Niners also had a solid year at the back, keeping five consecutive clean sheets during the early portion of the season and holding its opponents to just 16 goals in 15 regular season matches. Following the season, seniors Sean Suber and Kameron Lacey added to the Niners' professional pedigree by being drafted 35th overall and 82nd overall, respectively, in the MLS SuperDraft.


The 49ers have made 17 all-time appearances in the NCAA Tournament with 12 of those NCAA Tournament trips coming during Langan’s tenure on the coaching staff. Charlotte has 10 conference titles (regular-season or tournament) in the program’s history, six have come under Langan’s leadership.


As a member of the coaching staff since 2009, Langan played an integral role in helping the 49ers reach the College Cup Finals in 2011 as an assistant. In his 49ers tenure, Charlotte has reached a College Cup Championship game, captured two Atlantic 10 regular-season titles, two Conference USA regular-season titles, a Conference USA Tournament title, an American Athletic Conference Championship title and made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.


61 players have earned All-Conference honors including 32 named to the first-team, along with 20 more being named to the All-Freshman teams under Coach Langan. Eight players (Donnie Smith, Kyle Parker, Brandt Bronico, Luke Waechter, Elliot Panicco, Callum Montgomery, Patrick Hogan, Preston Popp, ) have garnered Conference individual honors under Coach Langan's tutelage. In 2014, he was named NSCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year. In 2016, he earned Conference USA Coach of the Year honors. 38 players have received United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) All-Region honors, including 17 on the first-team. 21 Niners have earned NSCAA Scholar All-Region honors and five players (Donnie Smith, Tyler Gibson, Aidan Kirkbride, Brandt Bronico and Callum Montgomery) earned NSCAA Scholar-All-American honors. Tyler Gibson also was named a 2013 CoSIDA Academic All-American. Callum Montgomery was named a 2016, 2017 and 2018 CoSIDA Academic All-American. Under Coach Langan, 16 players have gone onto professional soccer careers.


In his first season as head coach (2012), he guided Charlotte to the most successful season by a first-year head coach in the program’s history. Langan guided the 49ers to 15 wins, an Atlantic 10 regular-season title, an appearance in the second-round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to the eventual runners-up Georgetown, and a national ranking the entire season. In 2012, the team posted the second-best defensive record in the program’s history and celebrated two NSCAA Scholar All-Americans (Tyler Gibson and Donnie Smith). He also became the first coach in the program’s history to start their career undefeated after seven games. In addition, two 49ers (Donnie Smith and Jennings Rex) were drafted by the MLS in his first year.


In his second season (2013), he guided Charlotte to a Conference USA Tournament title, a national seed in the NCAA Tournament and a national ranking for the majority of the season. Two 49ers earned national academic honors as Tyler Gibson was named a CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-American and Aidan Kirkbride earned NSCAA Scholar All-American honors.


In his third season (2014), he guided Charlotte to a Conference USA regular-season title, a national seed in the NCAA Tournament and a national ranking for the majority of the season. At one point in the season, the 49ers were ranked number one in the RPI. Langan earned NSCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors. Brandt Bronico was named to the Conference USA All-Academic team.


In his fourth season (2015), he guided the 49ers to their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The 49ers were nationally ranked for a majority of the season. Brandt Bronico was named to the Conference USA All-Academic team for the second straight season. Kyle Parker was drafted 31stoverall in the MLS Superdraft by the Columbus Crew.


In his fifth season (2016), he guided the 49ers to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and a national seed. The 49ers were nationally ranked for a majority of the season. Langan was voted Conference USA Coach of the Year. Brandt Bronico was named C-USA Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Luke Waechter was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. Elliot Panicco was named C-USA Freshman of the Year. Bronico earned NSCAA Scholar All-American honors and Callum Montgomery earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. Bronico was drafted in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire. Matej Dekovic was drafted in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire.


In his sixth season (2017), he guided the 49ers to an appearance in the Conference USA Tournament Championship game. Five players earned All-Conference USA honors and three players were named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team. Two players earned Conference USA All-Academic team honors. Callum Montgomery earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors for the second straight season.


In his seventh season (2018), he guided the 49ers to an appearance in the Conference USA Tournament Championship game and a trip to the second-round of the NCAA Tournament. Seven players earned All-Conference USA honors and three players were named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team. Five players earned All-Region honors. Callum Montgomery was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. Montgomery also was named first-team All-American and first-team Academic All-American. Montgomery was the fourth overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by Dallas FC. Tommy Madden was the 38th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City SC. For the third time in the program’s history, the 49ers had two players picked in the MLS SuperDraft in the same year. For the first time in school history, the 49ers have two players picked amongst the top 38 picks in the MLS SuperDraft.


In his eighth season (2019), he guided the 49ers to an appearance in the Conference USA Tournament Championship game and a trip to the second-round of the NCAA Tournament. Seven players earned All-Conference USA honors and three players were named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team. Three players earned All-Region honors. Elliot Panicco was named Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year as well as becoming the first student-athlete in Charlotte 49ers history to earn the Senior CLASS Award. Panicco was the 13th overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Nashville SC.


In his ninth season, Langan guided the 49ers through a year unlike any other that was impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. With the season moved to the Spring, the Niners recovered from a difficult 0-2-1 start to rip off six consecutive victories to open conference play, before finishing second in Conference USA and getting nipped by UNC Charlotte in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 4-1 on PK's. The Niners were led by sophomore forward and C-USA Co-Golden Boot Award winner, Preston Popp, who paced Charlotte with a team-high six goals. The back line was also a rock for the 49ers, giving up just 10 goals in 11 total contests, led by 2020 C-USA Defensive MVP, Patrick Hogan. The Niners in the Spring of 2020, piled on the All-Conference honors, placing a total of seven players on the All-Conference teams with the trio of Hogan, Joe Brito and Alex Willis earning First Team accolades.


In 2021, his tenth season as head coach, the Niners earned their 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last 11 years after finishing with a 10-6-1 record and a 5-3-0 mark in Conference USA play, a mark good enough for third in the league. CLT's marquee victory of the season came in a, 2-1, overtime decision at home against No. 5 Kentucky. 2021 C-USA Golden Boot winner, Preston Popp scored the game-winning goal as time expired in the first overtime period. Charlotte scored 30 goals as a team and yet again played a schedule filled with NCAA Tournament teams including Kentucky, Marshall, FIU, Seattle and Maryland.


In 2009, as an assistant coach at Charlotte, the 49ers made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1997. Charlotte ended third-ranked Wake Forest’s nation’s-best 46-game unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents. In 2010, Charlotte captured the program’s first-ever Atlantic 10 regular-season title. In 2011, Charlotte reached the College Cup for the second time in school history and advanced to the College Cup finals for the first time. The 49ers won 16 games which tied for the second most wins in the program’s history.


OTHER COACHING EXPERIENCE


In 2012, Langan coached the Charlotte Soccer Academy U-16 team to the United States Soccer Federation Academy Finals Week in Houston (top 8 teams in the country) for the first time in the club’s history. Charlotte was one of only three non-MLS Academies to make finals week.


Before moving to Charlotte, Langan spent four years as the head boys’ coach of the Classics Elite Soccer Academy in San Antonio, Texas (now called the San Antonio Scorpions USSF Academy). He also coached the Classics Elite Soccer Academy’s U-18 USSF Academy team in 2008-2009.


PLAYING CAREER


As a collegiate player, Langan was a standout player for the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas for the 2004-05 seasons. He captained them to a number one national ranking and the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2004. In his two seasons at Incarnate Word, he was named Regional Defensive Player of the Year, Student-Athlete of the Year and the International Graduate Student of the Year.


The Jersey, United Kingdom native also represented Great Britain at two World University Games; in 2001 in Beijing, China and then captaining the team in Daegu, South Korea in 2003. He was also selected to play for the England National Futsal Team on a Tour of Portugal in 2003. In 2001 he helped lead Bath University to become British National Champions, for the first time in school history, scoring in the final.


In England, Langan played professionally with Bristol City FC for six seasons and Forest Green Rovers FC for four years. For Bristol City he made his Cup debut against Swansea City FC and his League debut versus Wigan Athletic as an 18-year old. During his time at Bristol City FC he played in the team that won promotion to the Championship in 1998. He also played against Premier League sides, Liverpool FC, Southampton FC and West Ham United.


EDUCATION AND COACHING LICENSES


Langan graduated with a “First Class Honors” Bachelor’s Degree in Coaching Education and Sports Performance from the University of Bath (England) in 2004 and with a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2006. He also holds his USSF Coaching “A” License.


FAMILY


Langan, his wife Sally and sons Ben and James reside in Charlotte.

Shane Carew

In July 2024, Shane Carew was officially promoted to the title of Associate Head Coach for "Recruiting, Player Development, and Alumni/Booster Relations" after serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the prior two seasons.


"Shane has headed our recruiting efforts these past two seasons since he rejoined his Alma Mater," Head Coach Kevin Langan said. "In a short space of time he has made a huge impact by recruiting and integrating top local and International talent into our program and this promotion is well deserved. He has reconnected with our Alumni base and helped to reignite their passion and support for the program."


Carew is a Charlotte Men's Soccer alum, playing for the program from 2000-03, earning All-Conference accolades three times during his playing days.


In his second season as an assistant for his alma mater, Carew helped the 49ers finish with an overall record of 13-4-1 and earn an American Athletic Conference title for Charlotte's first league crown since 2013 and third total in history. As the primary coach for the Niners' front line, Carew helped construct the conference's best scoring offense as Charlotte's 1.89 goals per game was 26th in the nation. Five Niners earned all-conference honors, led by forwards Brigham Larsen (second team) and Jonathan Nyandjo (first team). Forward Natsuki Ogata was placed on the AAC All-Rookie team. Nyandjo would become a first-team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy award semifinalist. Nyandjo is one of five first-team All-Americans and one of two first-team All-American forwards/strikers in Charlotte's history.


In his first full season in the Queen City, Carew was responsible for helping to bring in one of the top recruiting classes in the country ahead of the 2022 campaign. As the primary coach for the Niners front line, Carew helped guide Charlotte to holding the nations best offensive attack, having scored 46 goals in 15 regular season contests. He also helped lead CLT to its best start in program history with wins in each of its first seven matches of the season, while pushing the squad to help Head Man Kevin Langan become the winningest head coach in program history.


"We are extremely excited Shane will be joining us at his alma mater," Langan was quoted when Carew was first hired. "He has a great passion for Charlotte soccer. He brings great college coaching experience and with his warm personality will be a close ally with the players as they navigate the student-athlete journey."


Carew has had previous college coaching stops at Elon, San Jose State and Stanford prior to his return to the Queen City.


As an assistant at Elon, he helped lead the Phoenix to one of their most successful seasons in program history in 2013 when they downed a pair of top-10 opponents and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.


Following his time in Elon, Carew journeyed out to San Jose, California where he worked at San Jose State for a period of three seasons, before taking on the role as head coach at Cal State Monteray Bay in 2017 and 2018.


After coaching in San Jose, Carew made his way to Stanford in 2019, where he helped take the Cardinal to their fourth NCAA College Cup appearance in a five-year stretch.


Carew holds UEFA B and USSF A coaching licenses and played professionally for Shelbourne FC in his native Ireland and for the Long Island Roughriders here stateside, prior to his return to campus.


"Shane is a great link to our alumni and will help to reignite their interest and affection for this great University and program," Langan concluded.

Charles Rodriguez

In July 2024, Charles Rodriguez was officially promoted to the title of Associate Head Coach for "On-Field Coaching, Player Development, and Scouting" after serving as an assistant coach for the prior two seasons.


"This is a well earned and well deserved recognition for Charles," said Head Coach Kevin Langan. "Since his return to his alma mater Charles has demonstrated his elite level coaching capabilities and his eye for player development and opposition scouting. He has been a huge part of our success over the past two seasons."


Rodriguez is a Charlotte men's soccer alum, most known for captaining the Charlotte men's soccer team that advanced to the 2011 College Cup Final and became the first 49er in program history to earn United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America honors.


Since joining the 49ers staff, his responsibilities include scouting, developing team tactics, planning the team's daily training, and coordinating all team travel.


In his second season as an assistant for his alma mater, Rodriguez helped Charlotte earn an American Athletic Conference title, its first league crown since 2013, and win a first-round game in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The 49ers finished with an overall record of 13-4-1 behind a top-25 defense in goals against average and a top-five team in shutout percentage. As the primary coach for Charlotte's back line, the 49ers recorded eight clean sheets and was first in the conference in goals against average and shutout percentage. Five players earned all-conference honors, including four who picked up all-region accolades. Jonathan Nyandjo embarked on an All-American season, resulting in first-team honors and being named a MAC Hermann Trophy award semifinalist.


In his first season as an assistant for the 49ers, he was the primary coach for a 49ers back line that kept five consecutive clean sheets during the early portions of the season and allowed just 16 goals in 15 regular season matches. Rodriguez also helped guide CLT to its best start in program history with wins in each of its first seven contests to begin the year, while also pushing the team to make Head Man Kevin Langan the all-time winningest head coach in program history.


As an assistant coach Rodriguez has experienced numerous amounts of success at both the team and individual player level. Since 2013, Rodriguez has won two National Championships, appeared in three Elite Eights, earned five conference titles (three Pac-12, one Ivy League, and one in the AAC), and has coached six different teams to the NCAA Tournament.


On the players' side, Rodriguez has coached nine All-Americans, 12 Conference Players of the Year, and was a part of the 2017 United Soccer Coaches National Staff of the Year when his squad at Stanford won the 2017 National Championship.


"We are delighted to welcome Charles back home! He is one of the brightest young coaches in the country, a deep thinker about soccer and someone who possesses a very curious mind," Head Coach Kevin Langan was quoted when Rodriguez was announced in May 2022. "Our players are going to benefit greatly from his coaching expertise."


In his most recent tenure at Yale, Rodriguez helped lead the Bulldogs to a school-record 13 victories in 2019, earning the program its first Ivy League Title and NCAA Tournament berth since 2005.


Prior to his time in Connecticut, Rodriguez was an assistant at Stanford under his former collegiate head coach, Jeremy Gunn. During his tenure in Palo Alto, the Cardinal won a pair of National Championships in 2016 and 2017, and Rodriguez coached a back four that went two NCAA Tournament's without conceding a single goal which is still an NCAA Record


During his entire three-year stint at Stanford, the Cardinal posted 42 shutouts in 67 matches under his watch.


"He captained our program to the college cup final as a player, has won two National Championships as a coach, and we look forward to him bringing his winning mindset to our student-athletes," Langan continued.


The Franklin, Tennessee native began his coaching career at Xavier where he spent three seasons. In the final of those three in 2015 the Musketeers experienced one of the most decorated seasons in program history, setting program records for wins (15), shutouts (11) and team goals against average (0.84) and advancing to the NCAA Round of 16 for the first time.


Rodriguez, a 2012 graduate of Charlotte, was also an accomplished player. As a senior at Charlotte in 2011, he was named a Soccer America First Team All-American, was a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region selection and became the first defender in Charlotte history to earn United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America honors. He was also named to the 2011 NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team while captaining the 49ers to the national final for the first time in school history.


The center back guided a Charlotte defense that had nine shutouts, limited 21 foes to a goal or less and only allowed four goals in six NCAA Tournament games in 2011. During Rodriguez’s four years, the 49ers tallied 30 shutouts.


Rodriguez was drafted in the third round of Major League Soccer's 2012 Supplemental Draft by D.C. United. He later moved on to the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Pro League. Following the 2012 season, Rodriguez returned to Charlotte to finish his degree in political science and criminal justice.


Rodriguez has a U.S. Soccer National A-Senior Coaching License.

Gage Peffer