North Carolina Fires Head Football Coach, Mack Brown

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North Carolina Fires Head Football Coach, Mack Brown

Mack Brown has seen his final days of coaching at North Carolina.

A day after Mack Brown said that he intended to return next season, UNC said it is firing the longtime coach.

Here is a statement from North Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham:

“Mack Brown has won more games than any football coach in UNC history, and we deeply appreciate all that he has done for Carolina football and our University. Over the last six seasons — his second campaign in Chapel Hill — he has coached our team to six bowl berths, including an Orange Bowl, while mentoring 18 NFL Draft picks. He and his wife Sally have done an outstanding job supporting the Carolina community, including raising funds for UNC Children’s Hospital while hosting other popular events such as the Ladies Day Clinic. Both also have been terrific in leading our program during some incredibly tough stretches, including the tragic passing of wide receiver Tylee Craft this season.”

Brown will still coach in the team’s season finale against NC State on Saturday.

Brown, 73, was one of just three active coaches with a national championship under their belt. The others are Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.

Mack Browns coaching history consists of: 

Tulane | 1985-1987

North Carolina | 1988-1997

Texas | 1998-2013

North Carolina | 2019-2024

His Career Record that lasted over a span of 35 Years was 282-149-1 and his Bowl Record over the span of 26 Games was 14-12.

The 2024 season was the sixth year of his second stint with the Tar Heels and the team had taken a step back the past two seasons

Statement from mack brown:

“While this was not the perfect time and way in which I imagined going out, no time will ever be the perfect time. I’ve spent 16 seasons at North Carolina and will always cherish the memories and relationships Sally and I have built while serving as head coach. We’ve had the chance to coach and mentor some great young men, and we’ll miss having the opportunity to do that in the future. Moving forward, my total focus is on helping these players and coaches prepare for Saturday’s game against NC State and give them the best chance to win. We want to send these seniors out right and I hope our fans will show up Saturday to do the same.”

Two huge highlight to Brown’s coaching career:

• Winning a national title games with the Longhorns in 2005
• Brown was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018

Brown’s firing is the first for a power conference coach this season as North Carolina now has a head start on its coaching search.