Updated: 7:10 p.m. Tuesday

UNC Charlotte has named Will Healy as its next head football coach. The school confirmed the new hire in a news release Tuesday evening.

Healy will replace former head coach Brad Lambert who was let go in November.

Healy, 33, spent his past three years coaching at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. In his three seasons at the school, he has picked up 13 wins — noteworthy for a school that had won just once in the 46 games played before his arrival. The Governors saw a 5-6 season this year.

He was awarded the Eddie Robinson Award as the FCS Coach of the Year in 2017.

UNCC Director of Athletics Mike Hill said Healy will “energize and transform the 49ers into a championship program.”

“Across the country [Healy] is recognized as one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the nation,” Hill said. “His name came up time and again throughout our search as someone who is a relentless, proven recruiter who has seen remarkable success. On top of that, he places a high value on culture and developing student-athletes.”

Chancellor Philip Dubois said Healy is an “excellent choice to lead the Charlotte 49er football program.”

Healy said he “can’t wait to get started” at UNCC.

“This is a special place – a young football program with tremendous University leadership located in a first-class city,” Healy said. “We can recruit and develop excellent student-athletes here and we can compete at a very high level.”

Prior to Healy, UNC Charlotte originally expressed interest in hiring James Madison coach Mike Houston before withdrawing their offer after Houston publicly spoke about looking at other job possibilities while remaining a candidate for the Charlotte position.

Charlotte Athletic Director Mike Hill said upon withdrawing the offer that Charlotte “deserved a head coach that is 100% committed to the team.”

Updated: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday

UNC Charlotte may have found its next head football coach in Will Healy.

The Athletic reports that Healy, 33, is expected to agree to a five-year deal with the university, pending board approval.

UNC Charlotte let go of head coach Brad Lambert in November.

Healy currently serves as head coach at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.

In his three seasons at the school, he has picked up 13 wins - noteworthy for a school that had won just once in the 46 games played before his arrival. The Governors saw a 5-and-6 season this year.

He was awarded the Eddie Robinson Award as the FCS Coach of the Year in 2017.

Prior to Healy, UNC Charlotte originally expressed interest in hiring James Madison coach Mike Houston before withdrawing their offer after Houston publicly spoke about looking at other job possibilities while remaining a candidate for the Charlotte position.

Charlotte Athletic Director Mike Hill said upon withdrawing the offer that Charlotte “deserved a head coach that is 100% committed to the team.”