UNC announces decision on Mack Brown’s future

November 26, 2024

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Jul 21, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina head coach Mack Brown talks to the media during the second day of ACC Media Days at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, NC. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Mack Brown’s second stint as the head coach at North Carolina will soon come to a close.

UNC announced in a statement on Tuesday that Brown will not return to the team next season. The 73-year-old will coach the Tar Heels in Saturday’s game against rival North Carolina State, but no decision has been made on whether he will coach in a potential bowl game.

“Coach Brown has led the Carolina football program back into the national conversation as we improved the program’s facilities, significantly increased the size of the staff, invested in salaries and bolstered our nutrition and strength and conditioning programs,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement. “He also has been a dedicated fundraiser, strengthening the football endowment while also supporting our other sports programs. We thank Coach Brown for his dedication to Carolina, and wish him, Sally and their family all the best.”

There have been questions about Brown’s future at North Carolina for most of the year. Following a 70-50 loss to James Madison earlier this season, Brown told players he was willing to step down if that would be best for the team. Though he did not deny making the comments, Brown later said he had no intention of retiring in the middle of the season and had been trying to hold himself accountable for an embarrassing loss.

Then on Monday, Brown told reporters he intended to return as the head coach of the Tar Heels in 2025. The interest in him remaining with the team was apparently not mutual. Brown’s current contract runs through 2027.

North Carolina fell to 6-5 with a 41-21 loss to Boston College on Saturday, but they are still bowl eligible.

Brown is in the sixth season of his second stint at UNC. The former national champion has taken the Tar Heels to bowl games each year, though they have lost the last four.