North Carolina football coach Mack Brown said Monday he plans to return next season after a turbulent 2024 season.
Brown, 73, was asked about his future at his news conference as the Tar Heels prepare for their regular season finale against rival NC State. When asked directly if he plans to return in 2025, Brown said “yes.”
Brown was asked about his intentions after telling reporters he has yet to discuss his future with athletic director Bubba Cunningham.
“You never talk to your athletic director until the year is over,” Brown said.
Brown later elaborated on his thoughts on retirement during his second stint as North Carolina’s head coach.
“I’m not going to think about retiring. I’m not going to talk about retiring,” Brown said. … “There will be a morning where I get up and say, ‘You know what, someone else should run this team. They’re better than me right now.’ Then I’ll do something else.”
North Carolina’s up and down 2024 season
Brown is in his sixth season at North Carolina since returning to Chapel Hill in 2019. The Tar Heels won their first three games but saw their season spiral after a 70-50 loss at home to James Madison in Week 4, sparking speculation about Brown’s game. job security
Brown reportedly told his team after the vault loss that he was willing to resign if he couldn’t solve the team’s problems. A day later, Brown said he would not resign.
North Carolina followed up the loss to James Madison with three straight losses to start ACC play, including a loss to rival Duke. The Tar Heels then won three straight games against Virginia, Florida State and Wake Forest before losing 41-21 to Boston College on Saturday.
UNC had one of the program’s best runs during Brown’s first stint in Chapel Hill from 1988-97. The Tar Heels produced three 10-win seasons, including a 10-1 campaign that ended with a No. 6 ranking in the AP poll in 1997, Brown’s final season before leaving to become head coach at Texas.
Brown returned to North Carolina in 2019 after 16 seasons in Austin, including a national championship in 2005. Brown’s had some successes in his return, including a trip to the 2022 ACC Championship Game and the recruitment and development of quarterback Drake Maye.
But North Carolina has failed to eclipse nine wins since returning and is still seeking its first ACC championship since 1980.
North Carolina will host NC State in the regular season finale on Saturday. Cunningham has not spoken publicly about Brown’s future with the program.
