Former Texas Head Coach Mack Brown, who led the Longhorns to a 2005 National Championship, was fired by his current University, North Carolina. ESPN announced on Tuesday that Mack Brown was informed that we would not be returning to the Tar Heels next season.
The move comes one day after the Hall of Fame coach declared his intentions to return to the Tar Heels. Brown will coach the team’s final game against rival NC State.
“While this was not the perfect time and way in which I imagined going out, no time will ever be the perfect time,” Brown said in a statement. “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.
Mack Brown, the winningest football coach in UNC history, has had a storied career with 288 FBS wins, ranking eighth all-time. Across two tenures at North Carolina, he achieved a 113-78-1 record, including an ACC championship game appearance in 2022.
BREAKING: North Carolina is expected to fire head coach Mack Brown, @CBSSports reports.https://t.co/IHEhRBVi3a pic.twitter.com/ArQq57GKvH
— On3 (@On3sports) November 26, 2024
Brown is the only FBS coach with 100+ wins at two schools. Over the past six seasons, he led UNC to six bowl games, mentored 18 NFL draft picks, and enhanced the program’s facilities, staff, and resources. Despite three years left on his $5 million annual contract, Brown will step down after the season following months of speculation about his future.
During his 16 seasons at Texas, Brown led the Longhorns to a 158-48 record (.767), highlighted by a 2005 National Championship, 11 bowl wins, and nine consecutive 10-win seasons, a streak second only in NCAA history.