The Highway 49 Podcast
by Hunter Bailey
The Highway 49 Podcast is hosted by Hunter Bailey, Hannah Bradey and Jeremy Grandison, three Charlotte(ish) natives who are looking to find their lanes in the sports media industry. The show features guests from all sports, primarily focusing on the Charlotte 49ers, but will never turn down a good story.
Episodes
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Episode 166: Tulane OT Loss, Bad Clock Management + UAB Preview | Wes Miller’s First Win!
HB Squared is back, and continuous travel is done for the near future, which means more content is on the way! Hannah and Hunter talked Charlotte's overtime loss against Tulane, the bad clock management that allowed the Green Wave to throw the final punch, Tim Albin's game management and more. We...
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Episode 165: Basketball is Back, OT Thriller at UNC + Tulane Football Preview
College Basketball is back! I talked about covering Charlotte’s final exhibition game before the regular season in Chapel Hill on Tuesday night, the overtime thriller it was, Keyshuan Tillery’s emergence, the late-game Fab Five debacle, and what Wes Miller’s first year expectations are. Switching...
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Episode 164: Temple Recap, Tim Albin’s First FBS Win & Charlotte Men’s Basketball Preview
Sorry for the delay on this, folks. Work travel has been getting to me, but no trips on the books for the next month so we'll get in a routine. HB squared dealt with some internet issues but we made it through, talking Charlotte's first win over Temple, Tim Albin's relief, Conner Harrell's play…
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Episode 163: Harrell’s Return Raises Floor + Temple Preview
HB Squared is back with our weekly episode talking all things Charlotte Football. Conner Harrell's return raises some optimism for the 49ers, but the result was a familiar one on Saturday in Denton. We talked Charlotte moving on from strength and conditioning coach Jake Miller, Tim Albin's...
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Episode 162: Rock Bottom, QB Update, North Texas Preview + Mailbag
HB Squared is back! We talked the Memphis Massacre over Mimosas, the quarterback situation with Conner Harrell supposedly returning to practice, Henry Rutledge’s usage, and playcalling. We also previewed Charlotte’s next American Conference game against North Texas, who features 22 new starters...
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Episode 161: Kevin White
Sat down with Charlotte athletic director Kevin White just over a week ago, talking all things Charlotte. We talked Tim Albin and the football program’s struggles, the stadium expansion phases and what to expect, Wes Miller and Charlotte men’s basketball, revenue sharing and much more in a...
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Episode 160: Louisiana Recap & Memphis Preview | Todd Fitch’s Play-Calling, Big Picture Thoughts
It’s been a while since Hunter and Jeremy have chopped it up on the podcast, but with Hannah on vacation this week, the fellas got loose! They talked Charlotte’s most recent loss against Louisiana, the offensive struggles, concerns about Todd Fitch’s playcalling, as well as the bigger picture…
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Episode 159: Appalachian State Recap & Louisiana Preview | QB Play, Last Non-Con Game
HB squared is back with our weekly episode, breaking down Charlotte's midnight loss at Appalachian State, previewing Saturday's final non-conference game against Louisiana, talking about Tim Albin's tenure, looking at the All-22 film and more. After what was one of the weirdest Charlotte games in...
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Episode 158: Remembering Tom Whitestone
On today’s episode, the gang is back together to remember one of our good friends and long-time Charlotte SID, Tom Whitestone. Hunter, Hannah and Jeremy reminisced on memories with Tom, triple-dippers at Chilis, sitting courtside at March Madness, learning how to be a true professional and how to...
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Episode 157: Jaden Barnes
Charlotte wideout Jaden Barnes joined the pod for a few minutes earlier this week, talking his return matchup in Boone against Appalachian State, his previous school. Barnes has led Charlotte in targets through two games, heavily involved in the screen game. We talked about his familiar faces in...
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Episode 156: Ole Miss Recap & Appalachian State Preview | Chance Williams News
HB Squared is back for our weekly show, talking through Charlotte’s lopsided loss at Ole Miss, the Chance Williams departure news, the 49ers’ massive matchup in Boone on Saturday, and everything in between. With access to the all-22 film, we see some brief insights into what Charlotte has been up...
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Episode 155: Cole Gonzales
We've got QB1 on the show! Cole and Hunter caught up early this week to talk Charlotte's first two contests against The Citadel and Ole Miss, the offense's improvements through two games, Gonzales' nerves and settling back in as the starting quarterback, his trio of wideouts, Charlotte's upcoming...
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Episode 154: Citadel Recap & Ole Miss Preview | Jizzle James Update
HB Squared is here to stay! Charlotte's season-opener did not go the way anyone in the Queen City expected, and we're here to break all of that down. This podcast was recorded before The Citadel's social team clipped us, but don't worry, we'll be keeping tabs on our future military all season.…
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Episode 153: Season Outlook, Best Games To Watch, Citadel Preview & Mailbag | HB Squared
Hannah and Hunter are back at it! It's finally game week for the Charlotte 49ers, and HB squared is here to break it all down. From a season outlook, thoughts on each side of the ball, best games and teams on the schedule, a preview of Saturday's matchup with The Citadel, and even answering…
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Episode 152: Tim Albin
Charlotte head football coach Tim Albin joined the pod on the final day of training camp. Opening with The Citadel on Saturday, September 5th, Charlotte has named Cole Gonzales as the starting QB. Albin talked the NIL investment, working with Kevin White, Charlotte's increased depth, his future...
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Episode 151: Chris Reynolds + Scrimmage No. 2 Notes
Charlotte's all-time leading passer Chris Reynolds is back on the pod! We talked the five year anniversary of beating Duke, his time with Will Healy, memories from 2019-21, Henry Rutledge, Cole Gonzales, the stadium expansion, Chris' quarterback coaching role & much more. Thanks for tuning in,...
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Episode 150: Scrimmage No. 1 Takeaways with Benson Stubbs
After 10 days off for a family vacation, we're back with a new episode of the show talking about Charlotte Football's first scrimmage. Our guest, Benson Stubbs, was in attendance and talked through what he saw in Saturday's scrimmage, the QB position, defensive backfield improvements, and more.…
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Episode 149: Brian Boyle
Charlotte men’s basketball assistant coach Brian Boyle joins the show! Check back next week for more!
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Episode 148: DJ Burgess + Fan Survey Results
Charlotte defensive end DJ Burgess joins the show! We talked the art of being a pass rusher, year two expectations with Charlotte, recovering from his labrum injury, standouts on defense, new faces, biggest games, excitement for return to home state for Ole Miss matchup and much more. We also...
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Episode 147: Will Healy
Talk about full circle! Former Charlotte head coach (2019-2022) Will Healy is back on the pod! We talked about his time at Charlotte, his journey after being fired, to his role as head coach with ETSU, learning from mistakes, the highs and lows of coaching, still having the fastball, adapting to...
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Episode 146: Early Training Camp Takeaways
With Charlotte's training camp kicking off on Wednesday, this is just the tip of the iceberg for pre-season takeaways. But there's a ton to unpack nonetheless, as this episode features interviews from Henry Rutledge and Gavin Willis, as well as Highway 49 exclusives with newcomers Jaden Barnes...
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Episode 145: Derrick Eley! + The Odyssey Review & Stadium Expansion Update
This is a jam-packed episode, specifically if you like The Odyssey or Christopher Nolan films. But if you're here for the Charlotte 49ers, which most of you are, we've got an interview with Derrick Eley from American Conference Media Day to open the show, as well as thoughts on Stadium Expansion...
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Episode 144: Nate Faanes + Defensive Position Battles To Watch
Charlotte defensive coordinator Nate Faanes joins the pod (24:00)! Before Faanes' appearance, Hunter and Jeremy talked about position battles to watch in the secondary and on special teams. In his first appearance on the show, Faanes talked through his philosophy as a defensive play-caller,...
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Episode 143: Kadin Schmitz + Position Battles To Watch: Offense
Fun two-part episode today featuring an interview with returning linebacker Kadin Schmitz to close the show. Hunter and Kadin talked American Conference Media Day, returnees expected to take a leap, blitzes, Jon Gruden, expectations for the season & more. Before the interview with Kadin, Hunter...
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Episode 142: Tim Albin
Charlotte head coach Tim Albin joined the show from the American Conference's Media Day in Tampa, FL. We talked year two expectations for the 49ers, his thoughts on the transfer portal and roster construction, training camp, quarterbacks and much more. Subscribe to my Substack:...
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Episode 141: Alex Highsmith Joins The Show!
The best Charlotte 49er to come through the Queen City, Alex Highsmith, joined today’s show! Entering year seven with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Alex talked his experience in the league, attending the World Cup Final, Charlotte memories, best tackles he’s played against, Mike Tomlin & much more....
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Episode 140: American Conference Football Preview with Steve Helwick!
The 2026 college football season is almost here, and we're breaking down the storylines across the American Conference with special guest Steve Helwick (@S_Helwick). Steve and Hunter discuss the biggest storylines across the American, including new head coaches, teams that could surprise this...
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Episode 139: Wes Miller!
Charlotte men's basketball head coach Wes Miller joined the pod! We talked about his staff additions and how Marcus Paige fits in, familiar faces joining the fold in former Cincinnati Bearcats Jizzle James, Keyshuan Tillery, Tyler McKinley, and Jordi Rodriguez, and Miller's scheduling philosophy...
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Episode 138: Basketball Recruiting Update + QB Conversations
With Wes Miller and Charlotte basketball heating up, Hunter and Jeremy talked about the Cincinnati Bearcats that could follow Miller, players on the way out, teased an exciting interview, and more. On the football front, Hunter and Hannah talked with four of the five quarterbacks last week,...
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Episode 137: Wes Miller’s Intro, Spring Football Kickoff + Mailbag
The gang is back together at last! Hannah, Jeremy, and Hunter talked about all things Wes Miller and Charlotte hoops, including Miller’s introduction, NIL, the portal & more. Hunter gave an update on the football team’s spring session, kicking off, as well as Pro Day and expectations ahead of...
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Emergency Pod: Wes Miller hired at Charlotte
Less than a week after moving on from Aaron Fearne, Charlotte has landed on Wes Miller as the program's 15th men's basketball head coach. Hunter and Hannah talked about the excitement and concerns of the hire, the money portion, and had Cincinnati beat reporter Neil Meyer on the pod to discuss...
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Episode 134: AD Kevin White’s Intro + Football Schedule
New Charlotte athletic director Kevin White was introduced on Thursday afternoon, and Hunter and Hannah are here to break it all down. White discussed his hands-on approach, expectations for football and basketball, his community engagement plans, and more. Also, the gang talked about Charlotte's...
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Episode 133: Chris Lewis
CBS Sports' Chris Lewis joined the show! We talked about his experience working for CBS, covering Charlotte-Duke in 2021, what it's like calling live sports, his favorite stadiums, all-name teams, and much more. We've started posting shorter-form content on YouTube Shorts and TikTok...
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Episode 132: Kadin Schmitz
LATE STREAMING POST: there must have been an error in the original upload on 12/24/25. Resuming posting pods here now! Merry Christmas, Highway 49 Family! We appreciate you guys continuing to tune in, and this episode is two great conversations in one. First, you hear Hunter and Jeremy chop it…
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Episode 131: Tim Albin!
Charlotte head football coach Tim Albin joined the Highway 49 Podcast gang for the second time on Wednesday morning, catching up after the season. Albin talked recruiting in today's landscape, NIL, revenue sharing, staff familiarity, Titos, what he expects for the future of Charlotte and much…
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Episode 130: Charlotte’s Offensive Struggles Contextualized
If you’re going to make a claim, you’ve got to back it up with facts. While Charlotte has struggled on both sides of the ball this season, the offense has been putrid. Hunter broke down the struggles, in attempt to contextualize a situation that is a result of multiple factors (roster talent,...
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Episode 129: Georgia is Paying Charlotte How Much?! + CFB Landscape Discussion
Hunter and Jeremy are back at it, talking Charlotte's big payday against the No. 4-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday. The 49ers have had some big payouts, and have been some big-time underdogs, but Saturday's matchup is the most lucrative and most lopsided. Outside of the gridiron, Hunter and…
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Episode 128: Davidson Loss & Senior Day Preview
The gang is back together! Hannah, Jeremy, and Hunter talked Charlotte basketball’s wild finish against Davidson, Aaron Fearne and Matt McKillop’s postgame comments, as well as a look ahead for hoops. It’s Charlotte football’s senior day on Saturday, and we recapped the loss at ECU, talked the...
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Episode 127: Charlotte Basketball Wins + ECU Preview & AD Update
It’s the best time of year – football and basketball are rolling at the same time, and we’re here to break it all down on the Highway 49 Podcast. Hannah and Hunter talked Charlotte men’s basketball’s victory over Indiana State, Ben Bradford and Anton Bonke’s performances, as well as the bench...
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Episode 126: Aaron Fearne! MBB Preview + North Texas Collapse
Got our guy Aaron Fearne back on the pod! Hannah and Hunter talked the best (and worst) things they've seen, recapped Charlotte's fourth quarter meltdown against North Texas, talked the remaining schedule, and then had a great conversation with Fearne. Fearne talked this year's team, the firing…
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Episode 125: Tim Albin’s Transfer Portal Frustrations + North Texas Preview
Another week, another primetime game (it feels like) for the Charlotte 49ers, who take on North Texas on ESPN2 on Friday night. NIL and the transfer portal have been a hot topic in the wake of AD Mike Hill's firing, and head coach Tim Albin expressed his frustrations and provided some clarity on...
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Episode 124: Charlotte 49ers NIL + Hornets, NBA Preview
Hunter and Jeremy are back at it, talking all things in the NIL and transfer portal window world of the Charlotte 49ers, as well as an NBA preview with award and title predictions, plus expectations for the Hornets. The NBA season tips off Wednesday night, and North Texas is in town to take on…
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Emergency Pod: Mike Hill Out As Athletic Director
Wild day in the world of the Charlotte 49ers. Mike Hill is out as AD, among other firings, and we're here to make sense of it all. Skip to the last five minutes of the episode for all the juicy details. This was a live recording, and information came in during the pod, so please bear with us on...
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Episode 122: QB Carousel Ft. Trexler Ivey
As Charlotte dips back into the split quarterback fun, we decided to bring on someone well-versed in saving games with the 49ers - none other than Trexler Ivey. Hannah and Hunter talked about Charlotte's loss at Army, the continuous bad offense, winnable games remaining, and the 49ers' task…
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Episode 121: Mid-season Check-in with Sean Brown
Had to check in with fan-favorite Sean Brown as we near the mid-way point of the 2025 season. No Hannah or Jeremy this time, just Hunter and Sean talking ball. We talked USF, targets through five weeks, Zach Wilcke, quarterback injuries, Saturday’s matchup with Army, fantasy football and much…
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Episode 120: What Now?
You're on IR, and you're on IR, and you're on IR! The injury bug continues to bite the Charlotte 49ers, who will be without their starting quarterback Conner Harrell for the final eight games of the season. The gang talked big picture about Charlotte's program, Tim Albin's first year struggles,...
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Episode 119: E. Jai Mason + Charlotte Wins!
The Charlotte 49ers scored their first victory under Tim Albin last Saturday, and Hunter and Jeremy are back to break down the shootout at Richardson Stadium. The player of the game, wideout E. Jai Mason, stopped by for a conversation at the end of the episode - stick around for that! Hunter and...
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Episode 118: All-Time Charlotte Football Draft with Tom Whitestone
We're back with the second episode this week, this time featuring long-time Charlotte Football SID Tom Whitestone. We split into teams for an all-time Charlotte Football draft, with Tom and Hannah against Jeremy and Hunter. Whether the player spent all four years in Charlotte, or just one, they…
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Episode 117: UNC Recap + Monmouth Preview
The gang is back together to recap Charlotte’s loss against Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels, as well as preview Saturday night’s matchup with FCS Monmouth. We talked offensive struggles, the QB battle, injuries, what can be fixed and the level of confidence we want to see. Thanks...
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Episode 116: App. State Recap & UNC Preview
Finally, we have real football to talk about. Although it wasn't a great debut for Tim Albin, at least Charlotte football is back in the Queen City. The gang talked what went wrong in the loss to the Mountaineers, positive takeaways, and what we expect from QB Conner Harrell moving forward. We…
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About this show
The Highway 49 Podcast is hosted by Hunter Bailey, Hannah Bradey and Jeremy Grandison, three Charlotte(ish) natives who are looking to find their lanes in the sports media industry. The show features guests from all sports, primarily focusing on the Charlotte 49ers, but will never turn down a good story.
Hosted by
Hunter Bailey
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