Mack Brown will coach his final football game at North Carolina on Saturday against NC State, athletics director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement released Tuesday.
“Mack Brown has won more games than any football coach in UNC history, and we deeply appreciate all that he has done for Carolina Football and our University,” Cunningham wrote in a release posted at GoHeels.com. “Over the last six seasons – his second campaign in Chapel Hill — he has coached our team to six bowl berths, including an Orange Bowl, while mentoring 18 NFL draft picks. He and his wife Sally have done an outstanding job supporting the Carolina community, including raising funds for UNC Children’s Hospital while hosting other popular events such as the Ladies Day Clinic. Both also have been terrific in leading our program during some incredibly tough stretches, including the tragic passing of wide receiver Tylee Craft this season.
“Coach Brown has led the Carolina Football program back into the national conversation as we improved the program’s facilities, significantly increased the size of the staff, invested in salaries and bolstered our nutrition and strength and conditioning programs. He also has been a dedicated fundraiser, strengthening the Football endowment while also supporting our other sports programs.
“We thank Coach Brown for his dedication to Carolina, and wish him, Sally and their family all the best.”
A Statement from Mack Brown pic.twitter.com/cuC5DvBeH0
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 26, 2024
Brown had said as recently as this week that he intended to coach North Carolina football in 2025. It is not clear if Brown will coach in the bowl game.
UNC football had a 44-32 record in his most recent stint with the program. This year’s Tar Heels started 3-0, then lost four straight, then won three in a row before getting humbled 41-21 at Boston College on Saturday. The BC defeat, the Heels trailed 41-7 at one point, likely was the final straw to make the coaching change.
North Carolina’s new coach will open next season home vs. TCU
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 26, 2024
North Carolina becomes the third of the state’s seven FBS program to make or announce a coaching change before the regular season has come to an end. East Carolina has already filled its opening by making interim coach Blake Harrell the head coach. Charlotte also is in the process of a coaching search.
Brown has three years left on his contract; remaining payments will be paid by the Department of Athletics and not through state funds, UNC has stated.
Stay tuned to NC Football News for more on this developing story.
