RELEASE: Charlton Warren Replaces Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay On Staff
NC State head coach Dave Doeren has announced that Charlton Warren, a 21-year veteran of collegiate coaching, has joined his staff as co-defensive coordinator and safeties/nickels coach.
He will replace Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay, who left for another coaching position.
"Charlton brings a wealth of coordinator experience from the SEC, ACC and Big Ten and is known as a relentless recruiter and developer of defensive backs," said Doeren. "He's been on my radar for a long time because he's put many players in the NFL during his coaching tenure and comes with glowing recommendations from coaches I respect. I'm so impressed with his military background and his service to our country and know that he will be a great addition to our staff."
Warren comes to the Wolfpack from UNC, where he coached from 2022-24, serving as co-DC/defensive backs coach and then Assistant Head Coach for Defense. In 2023 Warren led a secondary that produced 12 interceptions on the year, the most since the Heels posted 14 in 2019.
"I'm really excited to be a part of the unbelievable culture of toughness that Coach Doeren has built at NC State," said Warren. "This is a great opportunity to be able to pour into and mentor young men and I can't wait to get rolling with the Pack."
The Conley, Ga., native spent the 2021 season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Indiana.
Prior to his time at Indiana, Warren spent two seasons on the Georgia staff, where he mentored the defensive backs. He helped lead the Bulldogs to two SEC East titles and two New Year's Six bowls. In 2020, the Georgia defense finished second in the SEC and 12th in the nation in total defense, and second in the SEC and 16th nationally in scoring defense. In addition, Warren's secondary produced four NFL Draft picks, including first-rounder Eric Stokes and second-rounder Tyson Campbell.
In his first season at Georgia, Warren was part of a coaching staff that led the Bulldogs to their third straight season with 11 or more wins. Georgia led the nation in scoring and rushing defense, ranking among FBS leaders in several other categories. He coached safety J.R. Reed, a three-year starter who earned first-team All-America status and was a finalist for the Thorpe Award.
Warren spent the 2018 season coaching cornerbacks at Florida, where the defense made huge improvements compared to the prior season. The Gators improved T-81st in the FBS for takeaways with 17 to T-11th with 26. The Gators ranked in the top 20 in pass efficiency defense, scoring defense and sacks per game that season. He coached corner C.J. Henderson, who went on to be selected ninth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
In 2017, Warren coached defensive backs at Tennessee, also serving as the program's special teams coordinator. The Vols' pass defense was one of the stingiest in the SEC during the 2017 season, allowing the second-fewest passing yards (1,950) and yards per game (161.7) in the league, and ranking seventh in pass efficiency defense (127.8).
During a previous stop at UNC (2015-16), the Tar Heels posted the 10th best passing defense in the NCAA, allowing only 180.8 yards per game through the air in 2016. In 2015, the Tar Heel defense allowed 14.5 fewer points from the previous season, the best improvement of any Power 5 program. UNC also had the most improved pass defense in the country. The Tar Heels led the ACC in interceptions, turnovers gained and passes defended while posting an 11-3 record and earning a berth in the ACC Championship Game. The 2015 Tar Heels allowed only 11 passing touchdowns, the fourth fewest in the NCAA.
In 2014, Warren helped Nebraska's defense rank fifth nationally in pass efficiency defense and 32nd in passing yards allowed. The Huskers ranked second nationally in completion percentage (48.5), 13th in yards per passing attempt (6.1) and 19th in touchdown passes (15).
Warren began his coaching career at his alma mater, Air Force, where he spent nine seasons beginning in 2005. He spent three seasons as secondary coach/recruiting coordinator, three seasons as co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach/recruiting coordinator, and was promoted to associate head coach/defensive coordinator in 2012.
In 2011, the Air Force pass defense ranked third in NCAA passing yards allowed at 166.8 yards per game and was second in 2010 by allowing 147.8 yards per game.
The 2009 Falcons defense ranked seventh nationally with 20 interceptions and led the nation in turnover margin. In addition, that 2009 defense ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing yards allowed (5th), total defense (11th) and pass efficiency defense (17th).
In addition to his coaching experience on the collegiate level, Warren participated in the NFL minority internship program in 2007 with the Houston Texans, assisting with the defensive and special teams units during training camp.
Warren graduated from Air Force in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in human factors engineering and earned an MBA from Georgia College and State University in 2003.
From 2000-03, he was stationed at Warner Robins Air Force Base, where he served as a C-130 avionics program manager. Following that stint, he was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base where he worked as an air-to-ground weapons program manager for the Air Armament Center.
During his time at Air Force, Warren was a three-year letterman at defensive back, helping the Falcons achieve consecutive 10-win seasons in 1997 and '98, including a 12-1 record and an outright conference title in 1998.
Following his graduation, he spent a decade on active duty with the United States Air Force
Warren grew up in Conley, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, and attended Forest Park High School, where he played football, basketball and ran track and participated in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Warren and his wife Tialer are parents to three children: Jayree, Teya and Chase.