Local Sports

Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz has been granted permission to talk to South Alabama officials about the school's head coaching job.

Charlotte spokesman Ryan Rose on Wednesday confirmed South Alabama asked and received permission from athletic director Judy Rose to speak to Lutz, who is 168-112 in nine seasons with the 49ers.

Lutz, who has led Charlotte to five NCAA tournament appearances, was out of the office Wednesday and unavailable for comment, Rose said.

South Alabama, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, is looking to replace John Pelphrey, who was named head coach at Arkansas on Monday.

Charlotte was a disappointing 14-16 this season in its second year in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Charlotte had been in Conference USA before the nationwide reshuffling of conference affiliation three years ago.

Lutz has acknowledged he faced a difficult time recruiting, as the 49ers lacked a clear rival in their new league, which is dominated by schools from the Northeast.