Texas Athletics is no stranger to hiring former athletes, coaches, and athletic directors as special advisors. Could Mack Brown be next?
Mack Brown was fired by North Carolina early Tuesday, one day after declaring his intentions to stay at the University another season.
During Brown’s 16 season tenure at Texas, he led the Longhorns to a 158-48 record, highlighted by a 2005 national championship, 11 bowl wins and nine consecutive 10-win seasons. That streak is the second longest in NCAA history.
Could Brown’s career wind up back at Texas? Well it wouldn’t inherently be dismissed. Gary Patterson resigned from TCU in late 2021. In 2022 he was named a special assistant to the head football coach at UT, serving under Steve Sarkisian. He took the role primarily because of his close relationship with Chris Del Conte, who was Patterson’s boss at TCU.
In 2010, the Texas Longhorns experienced a losing record and missed a bowl game for the only time during Brown’s tenure. On Dec. 14, 2013, he announced he would step down as Texas’s coach after that season’s bowl game.
Mack Brown was named a special advisor to the Texas Longhorns after he resigned. He was compensated around $500,000 per year, a drop from his $5 million per year salary before his resignation. In this role, he served as an ambassador to the Longhorns. He was contractually allowed to stay in the role until 2020, but he opted out shortly after.
After his professional football career, Vince Young returned to the University of Texas in 2021 as a special assistant in the athletic department. In this role, he contributes to the support and development of current student-athletes, drawing from his own experiences to guide them in balancing academics and athletics. Vince Young earns an annual salary of $100,000 as a special assistant to the athletic director at the University of Texas. He began this role on Jan. 4, 2021, reporting directly to athletic director Chris Del Conte. The position is subject to annual renewal.
Former Texas athletics director DeLoss Dodds, also serves as a Special Assistant to the University President Jay Hartzell. Dodds played a pivotal role in Mack Brown’s success at the University of Texas.
As the longtime athletic director, Dodds was instrumental in hiring Brown in 1997 to rebuild the Longhorns’ football program. Dodds provided unwavering support throughout Brown’s tenure, helping to elevate Texas football to national prominence. Under Dodds’ leadership, the athletic department invested heavily in facilities, resources and staffing, which gave Brown the tools needed to recruit top talent and compete at the highest levels.
Dodds worked closely with Brown during Texas’ 2005 national championship run, ensuring the program had the infrastructure to sustain long-term success. His leadership extended beyond football. He oversaw the expansion of Texas’ brand and financial power in college sports. The partnership between Dodds and Brown symbolized stability and vision, creating a golden era for Longhorn athletics.
He served the University of Texas at Austin’s men’s athletic director from 1981 to 2013, and he transitioned to the role of special assistant to the president on Nov. 25, 2013. In this capacity, he continues to contribute to the university’s athletic programs and overall administration.
A potential return of Mack Brown to Texas, in any capacity, could bring significant benefits to the university and its athletics program. Whether compensated or not, this move would ultimately rest with Del Conte and the program’s boosters, though funding is unlikely to be a obstacle.
For Texas, Brown could serve as a valuable ambassador and cultural advisor, offering insights into what it takes to build a championship-caliber program. His deep understanding of Texas traditions and his legacy of success make him a trusted voice who could strengthen connections with alumni, boosters, and Longhorn Nation.
For Brown, it would mean a return to the school where he achieved his greatest career milestones, including the 2005 national championship. It would allow him to remain involved with the sport he loves while enjoying the perks of Texas game days, likely with a credential and suite access, without the pressures of a full-time coaching role. At 70 years old, this role could provide a fulfilling way to reconnect with the program and its fans while transitioning into a slower-paced chapter of his career.
If retirement or stepping back from coaching is on Brown’s horizon, this opportunity could be an ideal fit. However, if he still seeks a challenge, another coaching position might draw his interest. Regardless, a consulting or ambassadorial role at Texas would honor his contributions to the university while helping the program continue to thrive. This would be a win-win for both Brown and the Longhorns, and it’s a vision that Del Conte and UT Hartzell should seriously consider.
