Charlotte women’s soccer announces Sinead Byrne as head coach, removing interim title

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte 49ers Interim Director of Athletics Jesh Humphrey officially announced the appointment of Sinead Byrne as the sixth head coach of the women’s soccer team. Byrne had served as the interim head coach since April 2025.

“Sinead has demonstrated from day one that she is built for this opportunity,” Humphrey said. “She has done a fabulous job leading the team and we’re looking forward to seeing the program flourish under her guidance.”

“I’m incredibly honored and excited to lead the Charlotte women’s soccer program.” Byrne said. “It’s a privilege to be given the opportunity to build something truly special right here in Charlotte and I’m so thankful to our staff and student-athletes for fully buying into the vision.”

Immediate Program Turnaround

Byrne, a Coventry, England native, has engineered a dramatic rejuvenation of the program during her time as interim head coach this season.

• The Niners currently stand at 7-4-2 overall and 3-1-2 in American Conference play with four regular season games remaining, the team’s best start to conference play thus far in the American. This represents a significant turnaround from the 2024 season, where the team finished 4-8-7.
• Under Byrne, the squad has already scored 20 goals in 13 contests, surpassing last year’s total of 13 goals.
• Predicted to finish 10th in the American women’s soccer preseason coaches’ poll, Charlotte is currently fourth in the standings through six conference matches.
• The team has undertaken a meteoric rise in the NCAA RPI rankings, jumping from 197 in the preseason to as high as 36 during the 2025 campaign.

Byrne’s system has the Niners excelling on both sides of the ball. The team ranks third in the American and 44th nationally in shot accuracy (.500). The defense remains traditionally strong, ranking fourth in the Conference in goals against average, saves per game, and save percentage.

Player Development and Success So Far in 2025

The coaching change has sparked significant individual growth:

• Charlotte players have earned American Conference Weekly Honors nine times this season under Byrne’s tutelage.
• Harlee Head was named Goalkeeper of the Week (Aug. 18), and Rory Brown earned Freshman of the Week (Oct. 13).
• Nine players have established or matched career-high point totals this season, including four who scored their first collegiate goals.

“We have everything we need to build a nationally recognized program – one that honors the proud history of Charlotte women’s soccer while forging a bold new legacy,” Byrne stated. “I want to thank our alumni, supporters, and all of Niner Nation; your passion and belief in this program are invaluable.”

Prior to her arrival in Charlotte, Byrne spent six seasons at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She served as an assistant coach before becoming associate head coach in her final year. Byrne played an instrumental role in SCAD winning consecutive Sun Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships in 2023 and 2024. The staff was also recognized as the NAIA’s Coaching Staff of the Year following the team’s 2024 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship win.

Byrne’s resume also includes coaching in the WPSL, where she was named Coach of the Year during the 2021-22 season.

“This isn’t just a job,” Byrne said, “it’s a mission. We’re here to raise the standard, compete at the highest level, and bring championships home to Charlotte.”

The Charlotte women’s soccer team is back in action on Sunday, Oct. 19, traveling to Tampa, Fla., to take on the USF Bulls at 1:00 p.m.