Nick Charlton was named the 36th head football coach of the University of Maine on Dec. 21, 2018. From 2018-2020, Charlton led the University of Maine, as Offensive Coordinator and then Head Coach, to the best two-year stretch in nearly two decades with 16 wins. These 16 wins also marked the second most in the CAA during the the two year stretch. Off the field, Charlton has fostered a culture of unchartered academic success. In the spring of 2020, the Black Bears recorded a team GPA of 3.26, the highest in program history.
During the shortened 2021 spring season, Charlton guided Maine's passing offense to another impressive showing as the Black Bears ranked second in the CAA at 205.8 passing yards per game. Individually, four Black Bears earned All-Conference accolades including the passing duo of quarterback Joe Fagnano (second team) and All-CAA first team receiver, Andre Miller. Maine's academic success continued as the Black Bears produced a 3.05 GPA while placing 38 student-athletes on the CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
In the 2019 season, his opening season at the helm of the Black Bear football program, Charlton spearheaded an offense that became one of the best in the last two decades. Charlton, who continued to call the plays, improved Maine's points per game to 29.5, the highest average in seven years. Under his guidance and direction, Maine led the CAA, ranked 12th nationally, and set a new school record in passing yards per game (296.5), a figure even more impressive when factored in that Charlton mentored a transition at quarterback when three-year starter Chris Ferguson was lost to injury and replaced by true freshman, Joe Fagnano. In his first start against FBS-member Liberty University, Fagnano recorded 445 passing yards and five touchdowns. He would finish the year with nearly 2,000 yards, 17 TDs, and a 67% completion percentage.
Maine posted a league-leading and school-record 3,558 passing yards, with a school record 29 passing touchdowns, while placing two receivers in the top-10 among league leaders in receiving yards per game with seniors Earnest Edwards and Jaquan Blair. Edwards graduated as Maine’s all-time leading receiver and kick returner. He ranked first nationally in kickoff return and third nationally in yards per catch. Edwards finished tied for the FCS lead in career KOR TDs with seven . During his time at Maine, Charlton has coached three of the top 12 receivers in school history.
In the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the Black Bears achieved great success against FBS opponents. In 2018, Maine defeated Western Kentucky 31-28, spearheading the team’s eventual title run. Over the past two years, the Black Bear offense has scored 98 total points against FBS teams, the highest in all of the FCS during that span.
Under his guidance, the Black Bears were rewarded with several individual honors, including eight All-CAA selections and an impressive six All-America team selections for Edwards. Liam Dobson, aside from being named 1st Team All-CAA, was named to the Stats All-American list as an offensive lineman. Off the field, a key focus of Charlton’s was improving Maine's academic standing. This effort was rewarded as 27 Black Bears earned spots on the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll and the team’s GPA consistently improved each semester.
The Black Bears have also made tremendous strides in recruiting since Charlton took over as Head Coach. For the first time in program history, the class of 2019 was ranked in the Hero Sports Top 50 and included the No. 2 overall prospect in all of the FCS. The program continues to make strides as well in international recruiting, leading all of Division I (both FBS and FCS) in international student-athletes.
In 2018, Charlton directed an offense that helped guide the Black Bears to the 2018 CAA outright championship and Maine's first-ever spot in the Football Championship Subdivison (FCS) semifinals. Under his leadership as the offensive coordinator, Maine produced its best scoring offense (26.5 points per game) since the 2013 season.
Maine's receiving core thrived under the guidance and offensive creativity of Charlton. Three Black Bears finished the 2019 season ranked in the top 10 of CAA leaders in receptions led by Edwards, who tallied 53 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior Micah Wright racked up 47 receptions and six touchdowns, capping his career ranked fifth on Maine's all-time receptions list (168) and fifth all-time in receiving yards (2,233). Individually, the Black Bears earned five CAA all-conference offensive accolades.
Charlton also mentored second-year quarterback Ferguson to a career year, when he passed for 2,372 yards and 22 touchdowns while earning a spot on the College Football Performance Awards FCS National Performer of the Year Watch List. Ferguson's most impressive performance came in Maine's FCS second-round victory over Jacksonville State. Charlton's play calling helped guide Ferguson to a career-high, and Maine playoff record, five touchdown passes. Maine's offense racked up a season-high 55 points and 427 total yards in the postseason victory.
In addition, Charlton schemed an offense that helped pave the way for Ramon Jefferson to become the first freshman in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Jefferson completed the 2018 season ranked fourth in the CAA at 86.4 rush yards per game.
Charlton joined the Maine staff in spring 2015 as the wide receivers coach. He was named Maine's special teams coordinator in April 2016, a role he held until February 2018. Charlton has helped produce dozens of all-conference players during his time at UMaine.
Throughout the 2017 season, Maine's special teams’ production proved to be consistently impressive. The Black Bears' kickoff return game, led by Edwards, the All-CAA kick return selection, ranked second overall in the CAA at 22.5 yards per return. Edwards led all kickoff returners (24.5 yards per return), including a 95-yard touchdown return against UMass at Fenway Park.
Maine's special teams unit ranked in the top five in the CAA in three categories, including kick return (second), kick coverage (third with 40.6 net) and punt return (fifth with 8.7), led by All-CAA specialist Mozai Nelson. Offensively, Charlton's wide receiving corps helped usher in first-year quarterback Ferguson. The Black Bears finished the year fifth in the CAA at 214.2 passing yards per game, with three of its receivers ranking among the CAA's top 20 in receiving yards per game.
Under Charlton's tutelage in 2016, Maine's wide receiver unit ranked third in the league in pass offense. Despite playing in only nine games, Wright ranked in the top five of league leaders in receiving yards per game and receptions per game. Charlton's guidance helped Wright to an All-American honorable mention accolade, as well as an all-conference first team selection.
Aside from the production he mentored at the wide receiver position, Charlton also made strides with Maine's special teams unit in his first year as coordinator. Maine's kickoff unit ranked second in the CAA, while the punt return team finished third in the league. Wright, who earned a second team all-conference nod at punt return, led the league in punt return average. Edwards also earned an all-conference honor for his performance on kickoff return. Each player also was honored as CAA Special Teams Player of the Week.
In 2015, Charlton led one of only two receiver units in the CAA with two All-Conference performers. Wright recorded the best statistical season for a freshman receiver in Maine history — 61 receptions, 818 yards and five touchdowns while earning second team All-CAA honors. Jordan Dunn also was named third team All-CAA with 56 receptions, 595 yards and three touchdowns.
Charlton came to Maine after serving three years at Boston College as a graduate assistant under head coach Steve Addazio and then Boston College offensive coordinator, and now Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, where he worked on offense with the quarterbacks in 2014. Charlton helped mentor Boston College quarterback and Pittsburgh Steelers signee Tyler Murphy, who set the ACC single-season quarterback rushing record with 1,184 yards.
During the 2013 campaign, Charlton was part of a Boston College offense that manufactured a record-setting rushing attack, with Heisman Trophy finalist Andre Williams and three future NFL offensive linemen. Also in 2013, Charlton assisted in coaching Boston College's all-time leading receiver Alex Amidon and future San Diego Charger quarterback Chase Rettig. Charlton, as part of back-to-back bowl appearances with the Eagles, participated in the Advocare V100 Bowl and the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
In 2012, Charlton served as the recruiting graduate assistant and assistant to the special teams coordinator.
Charlton graduated from Boston College in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He received a master's degree from Boston College's Woods School of Advancing Studies in 2013.
Charlton, a Salem, Massachusetts native, and his wife, Maria, have two daughters, Madeline & Lily, and a son, Scott.
The Nick Charlton File:
Birthdate (Age): December 20, 1988
Birthplace: Virginia Beach, Va.
Family: Wife, Maria; daughters, Madeline & Lily; son, Scott
High School: Salem High School (Mass.)
College: Boston College, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, minor in History (May 2011); Boston College Master of Science in Administrative Science (Dec. 2013)
Coaching Experience:
UMaine Head Coach: Dec. 2018
UMaine Offensive Coordinator/QBs: Feb. 2018–Dec. 2018
UMaine Special Teams Coordinator/WRs: April 2016–Feb. 2018
UMaine Wide Receivers Coach: March 2015–April 2016
Boston College Offensive Graduate Assistant: Feb. 2013–Feb. 2015
Boston College Recruiting Graduate Assistant: Jan. 2012–Jan. 2013
Boston College Assistant to the Special Teams Coordinator: Sept. 2012–Dec. 2012
What they're saying about Charlton:
"I think Nick Charlton is a terrific coach who is going to be outstanding as the head coach for the University of Maine," said Ryan Day, who takes over as Ohio State University head coach on Jan. 2. "Nick and I worked closely together for three seasons at Boston College. He is a wonderful person who will lead, educate, mentor and care deeply about the young men in his program." - Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State
"Charlton brings a depth of experience, and demonstrated leadership at the University of Maine and Boston College. He knows UMaine and our program, and has been a mentor to our student-athletes, on and off the field." - UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy.
"We are thrilled Nick has agreed to become the next head coach of the University of Maine Black Bears football program. It was important to us to keep the momentum going with the program and Nick has demonstrated he is ready for this next challenge in his professional life. I know our players share a strong personal connection with Nick, and he is fully capable of helping each of them reach their academic and athletic goals." - Ken Ralph, UMaine Director of Athletics
"Nick is ready to lead the UMaine football program. His work ethic and accountability to his players will be evident right from the start. I am excited to see him lead the program." - Joe Harasymiak, former UMaine head coach
"Coach Charlton has a passion for football that is special. After working closely with him this past year, I don't think there is a better person to lead this team. He truly cares for his players. He is going to continue this culture of UMaine football that we have been building and he is going to have fun while doing it." - Chris Ferguson, former UMaine Quarterback
