N.C. Central coach Trei Oliver has lost a major player on his coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Matt Leone has left to join Tennessee State.

Leone was the engine behind NCCU’s powerful offensive units. This past season, the Eagles averaged 33.8 points and 420.9 total yards per game, scoring 30 or more points in eight contests. Quarterback Walker Harris flourished under Leone's direction, earning MEAC offensive player of the year honors after becoming the program's single-season passing leader with 3,214 yards and 24 touchdowns. Harris became just the second quarterback in NCCU history to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a season. NCCU also placed four players on the All-MEAC team.

Leone joined the NCCU staff in January 2020 after spending four seasons at Southern University. The Eagles established themselves as one of the MEAC's most consistent offensive units. In 2024, NCCU led the league in scoring offense (35.5 points per game) and ranked second in total offense (405.7 yards per game), while also finishing first in rushing offense and second in passing offense. Running back J'Mari Taylor earned First Team All-MEAC honors after becoming the sixth Eagle to record a 1,000-yard rushing season, and offensive lineman Trevon Humphrey also garnered first-team recognition.

During the 2023 season, NCCU posted a 9-3 record and remained in the MEAC title race while averaging a conference-best 35.8 points and 372.3 yards per game. The Eagles led the league in passing offense behind two-time MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Davius Richard.

In 2022, Leone's offense powered NCCU to a 10-2 record, a share of the MEAC championship and a berth in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The Eagles led the conference in scoring (38.6 ppg), total offense (445.3 ypg), passing (234.8 ypg) and rushing (210.8 ypg). Five offensive players earned First Team All-MEAC honors, including Offensive Lineman of the Year Robert Mitchell. That season, NCCU scored at least 40 points seven times, including three 50-point performances.