Charlotte hires Matt Wallerstedt as new defensive coordinator

Charlotte will hire Matt Wallerstedt as its new defensive coordinator.

Former Texas Tech defensive coordinator and Louisiana-Lafayette linebackers coach Matt Wallerstedt will be Charlotte’s new defensive coordinator according to a source.

An official announcement is expected this week. It’s a reunion of Wallerstedt and 49ers coach Brad Lambert, who were roommates when they played together at Kansas State in the 1980s.

Wallerstedt began this season as Texas Tech’s defensive coordinator, but abruptly resigned after three games. The Red Raiders ended the season with one of the worst defenses in the FBS.

Less than a month later, Wallerstedt landed as a consultant at Louisiana-Lafayette, but took over coaching linebackers in early November. He oversaw linebackers at Texas A&M in 2012 before leaving after the hiring of Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury, who had been the Aggies’ offensive coordinator.

The 48-year-old Wallerstedt has previously been defensive coordinator at Air Force (2010-11), North Alabama (2003) and Wyoming (2000-02). Charlotte resumed playing football in 2013 as an FCS independent.

Lambert was hired two years earlier and has a 10-12 record in the 49ers’ two years of competition. The 49ers will move to the FBS in 2015 and will compete in Conference USA, but isn’t eligible for a bowl until the following season.