University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Football
Harbison, Charlie
Charlie Harbison
- Title:
- Assistant Football Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/DBs
- Phone:
- (337) 482-6318
Charlie Harbison, a highly-regarded recruiter who has been a part of 19 teams that have made bowl appearances, begins his third season as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
Prior to joining the Ragin’ Cajuns staff, Harbison spent two seasons on the football staff at Auburn and has a 20-year coaching career in the SEC and ACC.
Harbison, who helped the Tigers to a 2013 SEC Championship and a BCS Championship berth, spent the previous two seasons as co-defensive coordinator at Auburn, where he worked daily with the AU safeties.
Harbison, who worked at both Mississippi State (2007-08) and Auburn (2013-14), had previous coaching stops at Clemson (1995-97, 2009-12), Alabama (1998-2000, 2003-06), LSU (2001-02), UTEP (1994) and twice at his alma mater – Gardner-Webb (1984-85, 1992-93).
In 2013, Auburn had the second biggest turnaround in college football history in NCAA records at +8.0 games.
Named one of nation’s top-25 recruiters by Rivals in 2010, Harbison helped Clemson to back-to-back 10-win seasons, including the 2011 ACC Championship, the program’s first in 20 years, and an Orange Bowl appearance. Harbison coached cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who had 14 passes defended in 2011 and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans.
Harbison helped Clemson to a top-25 ranking and the ACC Atlantic Division title in 2009. Clemson had 21 interceptions, fifth-most in Tiger history and tied for fifth-most in the nation. Clemson was seventh in the nation in passing defense. Prior to his tenure at Clemson, Harbison spent two seasons at Mississippi State (2007-08). After just one season, he was elevated to defensive coordinator, while also coaching safeties.
He had a pair of coaching stints at Alabama from 1998-2000 and 2003-06. He coached the Crimson Tide wide receivers during his second stint, helping Alabama to a 26-24 overall record, including three bowl berths.
Harbison coached defensive backs in his initial stay from 1998-2000. He helped Alabama to the 1999 Southeastern Conference title and appearances in the 1998 Music City and 2000 Orange Bowls. Two of his pupils, Fernando Bryant (1999) and Tony Dixon (2001) were taken in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft.
Between the Alabama assignments, Harbison coached the defensive backfield at LSU in 2001 and ‘02. He was a member of the Tiger coaching staff that won the 2001 SEC title, finished 18-8 overall and played in the 2002 Sugar and 2003 Cotton Bowls. Corey Webster, who played under Harbison his first two years in Baton Rouge, finished his career second on the school’s all-time pass interception list.
Harbison served as the defensive backs coach at Clemson from 1995-97. The Tigers posted a 22-14 mark during those three years, ending those seasons in the Gator and back-to-back Peach Bowls. One of his pupils was nine-time Pro Bowl selection Brian Dawkins. He was an All-American and led the ACC in interceptions in Harbison’s first year at Clemson (1995).
Harbison also coached the secondary at UTEP (1994) and served twice at his alma mater, Gardner-Webb, coaching wide receivers (1992-93) and defensive backs (1984-85). In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, he worked in both the Arena Football League and the World League of American Football. His pro football coaching resume includes serving as defensive coordinator for the Charlotte Rage (1993).
Harbison graduated from Gardner-Webb College in 1995. A two-sport star, he was a free-agent signee of the Buffalo Bills in 1982 and played two seasons (1983-84) with the Boston/New Orleans Breakers of the USFL.
He is married to the former Tammy McCluney and they are the parents of four children, Charlie, Stedman, Masai and Msiba.
Prior to joining the Ragin’ Cajuns staff, Harbison spent two seasons on the football staff at Auburn and has a 20-year coaching career in the SEC and ACC.
Harbison, who helped the Tigers to a 2013 SEC Championship and a BCS Championship berth, spent the previous two seasons as co-defensive coordinator at Auburn, where he worked daily with the AU safeties.
Harbison, who worked at both Mississippi State (2007-08) and Auburn (2013-14), had previous coaching stops at Clemson (1995-97, 2009-12), Alabama (1998-2000, 2003-06), LSU (2001-02), UTEP (1994) and twice at his alma mater – Gardner-Webb (1984-85, 1992-93).
In 2013, Auburn had the second biggest turnaround in college football history in NCAA records at +8.0 games.
Named one of nation’s top-25 recruiters by Rivals in 2010, Harbison helped Clemson to back-to-back 10-win seasons, including the 2011 ACC Championship, the program’s first in 20 years, and an Orange Bowl appearance. Harbison coached cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who had 14 passes defended in 2011 and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans.
Harbison helped Clemson to a top-25 ranking and the ACC Atlantic Division title in 2009. Clemson had 21 interceptions, fifth-most in Tiger history and tied for fifth-most in the nation. Clemson was seventh in the nation in passing defense. Prior to his tenure at Clemson, Harbison spent two seasons at Mississippi State (2007-08). After just one season, he was elevated to defensive coordinator, while also coaching safeties.
He had a pair of coaching stints at Alabama from 1998-2000 and 2003-06. He coached the Crimson Tide wide receivers during his second stint, helping Alabama to a 26-24 overall record, including three bowl berths.
Harbison coached defensive backs in his initial stay from 1998-2000. He helped Alabama to the 1999 Southeastern Conference title and appearances in the 1998 Music City and 2000 Orange Bowls. Two of his pupils, Fernando Bryant (1999) and Tony Dixon (2001) were taken in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft.
Between the Alabama assignments, Harbison coached the defensive backfield at LSU in 2001 and ‘02. He was a member of the Tiger coaching staff that won the 2001 SEC title, finished 18-8 overall and played in the 2002 Sugar and 2003 Cotton Bowls. Corey Webster, who played under Harbison his first two years in Baton Rouge, finished his career second on the school’s all-time pass interception list.
Harbison served as the defensive backs coach at Clemson from 1995-97. The Tigers posted a 22-14 mark during those three years, ending those seasons in the Gator and back-to-back Peach Bowls. One of his pupils was nine-time Pro Bowl selection Brian Dawkins. He was an All-American and led the ACC in interceptions in Harbison’s first year at Clemson (1995).
Harbison also coached the secondary at UTEP (1994) and served twice at his alma mater, Gardner-Webb, coaching wide receivers (1992-93) and defensive backs (1984-85). In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, he worked in both the Arena Football League and the World League of American Football. His pro football coaching resume includes serving as defensive coordinator for the Charlotte Rage (1993).
Harbison graduated from Gardner-Webb College in 1995. A two-sport star, he was a free-agent signee of the Buffalo Bills in 1982 and played two seasons (1983-84) with the Boston/New Orleans Breakers of the USFL.
He is married to the former Tammy McCluney and they are the parents of four children, Charlie, Stedman, Masai and Msiba.
Michael Desormeaux Media Availability (Sep 8, 2025)
Monday, September 08
Bill Davis Media Availability (Sept 6, 2025)
Sunday, September 07
Jalen Clark Media Availability (Sept 6, 2025)
Sunday, September 07
Daniel Beale Media Availability (Sept 6, 2025)
Sunday, September 07
