Mack Brown confirms what happened in locker room following UNC loss

Here’s what Mack Brown said at his weekly press conference after the locker room report from Saturday.

Saturday was an interesting day for the North Carolina Tar Heels’ football program. Entering the game as 10.5-point favorites, the Tar Heels were thrashed by James Madison, allowing 70 points in the 70-50 loss.

It was a disaster all around for the Tar Heels, especially on defense as they allowed numerous big plays. But it was what happened after the game that drew the attention.

A report from Inside Carolina surfaced with a source stating that Mack Brown was planning to resign and leave the program. Another source said that Brown changed his mind quickly after and opted not to leave the program and will work to get this season back on track.

Fast forward a few days later.

Brown met the media for the first time since the postgame and confirmed he did talk to his team after the game about things:

I came in here and talked to you all. I was very disappointed in the game, disappointed me, and as you all know, I don’t handle things well after losses. It’s probably the worst times in my life, because I’ve got a spoiled life and walking off the field, I was really disappointed, because we had a great week’s practice. We’re 3-0, felt really good about the team, and we made entirely too many mistakes during the ballgame. So as I was walking off the field, I thought, ‘I’m responsible for all this. It’s on me, so I should ask the players about leadership if they feel good about me moving forward.’ And that’s something I shouldn’t do.

“I shouldn’t put that pressure on those young people at that point. And I’m supposed to be a leader, and probably the worst things I’ve ever said in my life are after losses. You all have heard most of them, and that’s just what I do. So disappointed in me. I should have waited, but the kids were overwhelmingly, ‘Come on, Coach. Let’s go. Let’s move forward.’ And we’re doing that, and excited about the future, and love my job and love these kids. I love this place, and that’s why I hate losing so much, and didn’t really think that much about it after we did it, and moving forward and looking forward to playing Duke this weekend, but I’m supposed to be a role model for these kids. I’m supposed to pick negatives and turn them into positives.

“You’re supposed to learn from losses. I didn’t do that very well on Saturday night. And I’m supposed to be a mentor for young coaches, and I didn’t do that well either. So disappointed in me. I’ll grow from it and not do it again. … Great to get back to work. I’ll keep my mouth shut after losses from now. Y’all, I may not even come see you all. I may just keep my mouth shut. So Sally told me that I need to keep my mouth shut so I will.”

So Brown did clear up what happened and it sounds like his emotions got the best of him following the game. Still, it was a tense moment in that locker room, especially after losing like they just did.

Brown also noted that the team has moved forward with the week and are now focusing on Saturday’s Duke game.  But remember this moment because if the losses mount up, Brown could be on the hot seat.

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