North Carolina has fired head football coach Mack Brown, ending his second stint with the Tar Heels after six seasons. Despite bringing national recognition to the program and achieving multiple bowl appearances, UNC opted to make changes following a difficult 2024 season.
Here’s a closer look at Brown’s departure, his legacy, and the future of Tar Heels football.
North Carolina Tar Heels (UNC) fire coach Mack Brown
North Carolina State announced Tuesday that it has fired head coach Mack Brown, confirming he will not return for the 2025 season.
Brown, 73, will coach the team’s final game against North Carolina State before retiring. His second tenure at UNC began in 2019 and ended with a 44-32 record over six seasons. He led the team to six bowl appearances and a 2022 ACC Championship Game appearance. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham thanked Brown for rebuilding the program and coaching 18 NFL draft picks.
But the 2024 season posed a big challenge. North Carolina’s record was 6-5, with injuries and defensive struggles defining the year. The team lost, allowing James Madison to score a school record 70 points. Starting quarterback Max Johnson also suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game. Recruiting in 2025 has declined, and the class currently ranks 78th nationally, an unusually low ranking for the program.
Brown’s overall career accomplishments remain significant. He is the winningest coach in North Carolina history, winning 113 games over two tenures. Nationally, he ranks eighth in wins as an FBS coach with 288 wins over a 36-year career, including the 2005 national championship at Texas . In his second stint at UNC, he focused on modernizing programs, improving facilities and strengthening recruiting efforts.
The university is currently searching for a new head coach under a strict schedule. The early signing date for new recruits is December 4th, and the transfer portal will reopen on December 9th. The next coach will need to stabilize recruiting and address performance dispersion. Meanwhile, Brown is finishing the season and could potentially lead his team in a bowl game as the university transitions to a new leadership structure.
