Courtesy of North Carolina Central Athletics
North Carolina Central University head football coach Trei Oliver has been named one of the top 20 coaches in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), according to Underdog Dynasty.
Oliver came in at No. 11 on the list, which was originally published on July 13.
According to the article, “…Oliver checked off another big box on his resume last year after he guided the Eagles to a rare playoff berth. That, of course, came a year after he led NCCU to an upset win over Deion Sanders and Jackson State in the [Cricket] Celebration Bowl to wrap up the 2022 season. Oliver is one of the best in the business and he’s constructed a real power not only in the HBCU world but the FCS world in general.
“The Eagles have consistently contended for MEAC titles as of late and have gone toe-to-toe with some of the subdivision’s better teams. Last season, N.C. Central defeated No. 25 Elon on the road and the year before, they toppled a similarly ranked New Hampshire squad that ended up making the playoffs. Oliver enters his fifth season in 2024 and his group will be in the conversation again.”
View the entire list here.
The Eagles are 29-18 in Oliver’s first four seasons at his alma mater, including a 9-3 mark in 2023. He’s the two-time defending MEAC Coach of the Year, and NCCU is the preseason favorite in the conference this season.
The Eagles open the 2024 season on Sunday, Sept. 1, in the Orange Blossom Classic against Alabama State. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., and the game will air live on ESPN.
