When Texas fired Mack Brown in 2013, he was just four years removed from winning the Big 12 and making a national championship appearance. In those four years, he never got back to double-digit wins, with his best record being 9-4. After being fired, Brown took some time to work in the media, working with ESPN as a studio analyst.
Five years after being let go from Texas, Brown was hired by the school where he started his Power 5 head coaching career, North Carolina. He inherited a mess, with the program losing nine games two years in a row. Brown had three 10 win seasons while at UNC, but they had only had one since he left in 1998.
The Tarheels defeated in-state arch-rival North Carolina State 41-10 on Saturday, gaining bowl eligibility in Brown’s first season as the head coach. He rightfully celebrated with the team in the locker room after the game.
Coaches: “I don’t have my own recruits… these aren’t my players… I need time to build my program”
Mack Brown- Takes UNC from 2 wins to 6 & a bowl game in year 1:pic.twitter.com/jDJcE5Y6xg
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) December 1, 2019
With North Carolina being bowl eligible, people have started to wonder if they could match up with Texas in the Camping World Bowl. Even Camping World’s CEO Marcus Lemonis said it would be a good game.
Let me know what you need… they bring the fans And ratings and I’ll bring my influence… can’t promise anything.. not my call but… @CWStadium @CWBowl May count for something since @CampingWorld is my baby https://t.co/ov8UtcO1Yx
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) December 1, 2019
If the Tar Heels and Longhorns were to meet in the Camping World Bowl, not only would there be a reunion with Mack Brown, but it would be the first time the schools have met since 2002. Brown has turned the UNC football program around and has a chance to become a consistently good team in the ACC.
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