Charlton grew up in Salem, Massachusetts. He earned a B.A. in philosophy from Boston College in 2011 and a M.A. from Boston College's Woods College of Advancing Studies in 2013. During his lone season as Maine's offensive coordinator, the team went to the semifinals of the NCAA FCS Playoffs, the farthest Maine has advanced in team history. Charlton succeeded Joe Harasymiak, who left for an assistant coaching position at the University of Minnesota. Charlton was hired two days after his 30th birthday.[1] Following the 2021 season, it was announced that Charlton would leave Maine to become the offensive coordinator on Jim L. Mora's inaugural staff at UConn. [2]