All Tar Heels

UNC Football Decides to Part Ways With Active Wins Leader

The UNC football program's Mack Brown era will soon come to an end.

Matt Giles

UNC football head coach Mack Brown
UNC football head coach Mack Brown / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
In this story:

Mack Brown is in his last season as UNC football head coach, multiple outlets confirmed on Tuesday morning. The 73-year-old is a one-time national champion with the Texas Longhorns. Plus, he is currently the active wins leader among FBS head coaches with his career 282-149 record between stints at Tulane, Texas, and UNC.

ALSO READ: UNC Product Becomes Interim Head Coach of FBS Squad

The sudden news of his departure this season comes just one day after Brown reiterated to the media that he planned to remain the head coach of the Tar Heels next year.

However, the frustrating 2024 campaign, hitting a low on Saturday via a 41-21 loss at Boston College, paired with a string of recent decommitments on the 2025 recruiting trail appear to have been enough for school officials to look elsewhere for the UNC football program's leader moving forward.

Brown's 16th Tar Heel team sits 6-5 overall and 3-4 in ACC play entering its rivalry showdown on the road against NC State (5-6, 2-5 ACC) at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ACC Network).

Although recent Tar Heels haven't enjoyed the 10-win seasons that Brown delivered in the 1990s, it's worth noting that UNC is bowl eligible for the sixth straight year since Brown returned to Chapel Hill.

UNC has not yet decided whether Mack Brown will coach the Tar Heels in their bowl game this year.

ALSO READ: UNC Recruiting Appears to Be Crumbling on 2025 Trail

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC football and basketball news.

Published |Modified
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

Home/Football