University of North Carolina Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Defensive Backs Coach
- Phone:
- 919-966-2575
Charlton Warren joined the football program as the defensive backs coach in 2015.
In his first year in Chapel Hill, Warren’s secondary was among the best in the ACC and helped lead the nation’s most improved defense. Carolina allowed 14.5 fewer points in 2015 from the previous season, the best improvement of any Power 5 program.
UNC also had the most improved pass defense in the country in both efficiency and yards per pass attempt, and was the fifth-most improved team in passing yards per game. Carolina led the ACC in interceptions, turnovers gained, turnover margin and passes defended en route to a record-setting 11-3 season and a berth in the ACC Championship Game and a No. 15 final ranking in both national polls.
Warren coached cornerbacks M.J. Stewart and Des Lawrence to All-ACC seasons as each recorded 14 pass breakups and ranked among the top four in the league in passes defended per game.
Warren came to Chapel Hill from Nebraska where he worked with UNC linebackers coach John Papuchis.
Before his time at Nebraska, Warren spent nine seasons working with the secondary at Air Force, including serving as the Falcons’ defensive coordinator in each of his final six seasons.
Warren played defensive back at Air Force from 1995-98. Fedora was an offensive assistant coach during Warren’s final two seasons with the Falcons.
Warren’s secondary impressed in his one season in Lincoln, helping the Huskers rank fifth nationally in pass efficiency defense and 32nd in passing yards allowed. Nebraska ranked second nationally by holding opponents to a 48.5 completion rate, limiting its opponents to a 50 percent completion rate or less in nine of 13 games. The Huskers also allowed an average of only 6.1 yards per passing attempt to rank 13th nationally, and the 15 touchdown passes Nebraska surrendered ranked 19th in the country.
Before arriving in Lincoln, Warren spent nine seasons coaching at Air Force, working directly with the defensive backs all nine years with the Falcons. Warren earned a reputation as the Falcons’ top recruiter and coordinated Air Force’s recruiting efforts for six seasons from 2006 to 2011.
Air Force’s pass defense often ranked among the best in the country, helping the Falcons to six bowl games in Warren’s nine seasons as an assistant coach.
In 2011, the Air Force pass defense ranked third in passing yards allowed at 166.8 yards per game and sixth in the country in pass efficiency defense. In 2010, the Falcon secondary was even better, ranking second nationally by allowing just 147.8 passing yards per game. The play of the defensive backfield helped Air Force to a 9-4 record, capped by a victory over Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl.
The 2009 defense also excelled against the pass under Warren’s direction, helping the team to a trip to the Armed Forces Bowl. Air Force ranked seventh nationally with 20 interceptions, helping the team lead the nation in turnover margin. The 2009 Falcons also ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing yards allowed (fifth), total defense (11th) and pass efficiency defense (17th).
Warren was also a member of the Air Force staff for 2007 and 2008 trips to the Armed Forces Bowl, when the Falcons posted 9-4 and 8-5 records, respectively.
In addition to his nine seasons of experience at Air Force, Warren was selected by the Houston Texans to participate in the NFL’s minority internship program in 2007. Warren spent time in training camp with the Texans, and took part in defensive and special teams sessions.
Warren graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in human factors engineering. He was a standout defensive back for the Falcons earning three letters. Warren won the team’s Mr. Intensity Award as a senior, and helped the program to consecutive 10-win seasons in 1997 and 1998, including a 12-1 record and outright conference title in 1998.
Following his college career, Warren performed his active service as a systems acquisitions program manager at both Warner Robbins AFB in Georgia and Eglin AFB in Florida. Warren earned his MBA from Georgia College and State University in 2003.
An Atlanta native, Warren and his wife Jocelyn, have two daughters, Jayree and Teya, and a son, Chase.
Charlton Warren Coaching Year-By-Year
Year School Position
2015-present: North Carolina Defensive Backs Coach
2014: Nebraska Secondary Coach
2012-13: Air Force Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coord./Secondary Coach
2008-11: Air Force Co-Defensive Coord./Secondary Coach/Recruiting Coord.
2005-07: Air Force Secondary Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
