Charlotte Football is mourning the loss of an assistant coach Sunday. Offensive line coach Phil Ratliff passed away with his family by his side suffering what a spokesperson with the university called a "cardiac event".
According to WSOC-TV in Charlotte, Ratliff was hospitalized last Monday. Coach Ratliff joined the program in 2012 after spending time at Marshall, his alma mater where he won a national title as a player, and at James Madison. The Charlotte 49ers sent out the following tweet and also released a statement:
We regretfully announce the passing of coach Phil Ratliff - an amazing man and was loved by all who knew him. pic.twitter.com/TjqUPHlFGB
— Charlotte Athletics (@Charlotte49ers) August 9, 2015
The statement reads (courtesy of WSOC's Phil Orban's twitter account): .
Charlotte 49ers statement on the passing of assistant coach Phil Ratliff: pic.twitter.com/D7MGuEXWn6
— Phil Orban (@philorbanWSOC9) August 9, 2015
Ratliff was an All-American lineman during his days at Marshall, and was a captain on the 1992 national championship team. He was just 44 years old. Underdog Dynasty sends our condolences to the Ratliff family, and the entire Charlotte 49ers community over this tragic loss.