CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd reports that Tar Heels head football coach Mack Brown will control when his time at UNC ends; not the University of North Carolina. Dodd added his two cents: he believes Brown should be granted that courtesy.
“Brown rated highly in the poll, with most analysts expecting that somebody else coaches the Tar Heels next year. How that happens is what makes Brown the most nuanced coach to discuss here. As the dean of FBS coaches — in terms of age — Mack Brown will be allowed to go out his way. At 73, has earned that. Brown deserves a ceremonial exit on his own terms. First FBS coach to win at least 100 games at two schools. A national championship. Hall of Famer. Twenty-six bowls, eight of them of the major variety. Oh, and Brown and the Heels have rebounded nicely from an unsightly four-game losing streak,” Dodd wrote.
“One more win and a Brown-coached team would be bowl eligible for the 30th time. Not bad. Brown has basically maxed out at two major programs. (Texas, North Carolina). He should be given the courtesy of deciding when he’s done especially when the Tar Heels still have a chance to win eight. Maybe that happens this offseason, maybe it doesn’t. I think it should be up to Brown.”
Brown’s Tar Heels are 5-4 and have a fairly favorable slate the rest of the way: Wake Forest, Boston College, and NC State. Going 2-1 or even 3-0 is possible during that stretch. These aren’t the dregs of the ACC, though, so going winless is not out of the realm of possibility either.
Regardless, the former national champion head coach at Texas has elevated the program far above where it was when Larry Fedora left. UNC hasn’t reached the double-digit win peak of Fedora’s tenure, but they haven’t had a losing record in the regular season since Brown took over in 2019.
Tar Heels head football coach Mack Brown has led UNC amidst an extremely difficult season for his players
Sometimes, it’s bigger than football. Brown has had to rally the troops during the 2024 season amidst a team tragedy.
Tylee Craft’s untimely passing due to a bout with cancer has been an emotional burden the players have had to struggle with. Brown has shown class and grace in guiding his players through it.
The Tar Heels have won both games by double-digits since Craft’s passing. That alone should give Brown the leeway to not deal with rumors of his firing.
