North Carolina announced it has fired head football coach Mack Brown, which officially closes a remarkable second tenure in Chapel Hill.
Athletic director Bubba Cunningham credited Brown’s legacy at UNC football, calling him the winningest coach in the history of the program. With Brown, the Tar Heels went to six bowl games, including an Orange Bowl, and produced 18 NFL draft picks. Beyond football, he and his wife, Sally, were outstanding contributors to the community, raising funds for the UNC Children’s Hospital and hosting events such as the Ladies Day Clinic.
Against those successes, however, was a six-season record of 44-32 for Brown that included four consecutive bowl losses. He also led the program through traumatic times, including the tragic death this season of wide receiver Tylee Craft. Cunningham credited Brown for improvements within the program, including upgraded facilities, expanded staff, enhanced nutrition programs, and increased support for athletics.
Brown, the oldest active coach in college football and one of just three with a national championship in addition to Dabo Swinney and Kirby Smart, told his team about the decision Monday morning. The always optimistic Brown had told people publicly he wanted to coach longer than 2024, but the university officials decided otherwise.
His legacy at North Carolina includes not just wins, but a broader cultural and structural transformation of the football program. The university has yet to announce plans for a successor.