All forced exits are awkward, but Mack Brown’s might just top most of them.
Just days ahead of UNC’s regular-season finale, the greatest coach in Tar Heels’ football history was politely asked to leave — or, rather, told he would not be returning beyond 2024.
And on Saturday, speaking to reporters after that contest — a 35-30 loss to rival North Carolina State — Brown did little to hide his displeasure with the university’s handling of the situation.
“All I wanted to do was wait until the end of the year,” Brown said, per On3.
“And [the university] wanted me to retire on Monday, before the [NC] State game. We haven’t beaten State, [so] it was really important for these kids to play well and have a chance to win. I didn’t want to break their hearts on Monday. So I said, ‘No, I won’t do that.’ And then they wanted me to do it on Friday.
“Well, I sure wasn’t going to do it Friday before the game,” Brown said, hence the university’s announcement on Monday.
Saturday’s home loss — UNC’s fourth consecutive to NC State — was a disheartening blow amid a season of mediocrity.
In his sixth season at the helm, Brown’s teams took a noticeable step back from their 8-5 and 9-5 campaigns in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
With a 6-6 record, the Tar Heels are still bowl eligible.
But Brown is not.
The head coach informed reporters after Saturday’s loss that he won’t be behind the bench for UNC’s final contest of the season.
The loss to the Wolfpack, he said, was “another sign from God that it’s time to go … I agree with the administration that we need a change of leadership at the top, I just wanted it to happen after the season was over.
“These poor kids have had so much turmoil in their lives and I think the administration’s into finding a football coach, and I’m into saving lives and making sure that they’re healthy, making sure that they’re mentally healthy.”
“When you have a four-game losing streak, that’s hard for kids. They’re not used to that. Especially here. We haven’t had that happen. And then especially with a sick, young guy …”
Brown’s comments are in reference to the death of Tar Heels’ wide receiver Tylee Craft, who died after a battle with lung cancer in October.
“You lose one of your best friends, that you’ve watched die, at 23 years old. So, I wasn’t thinking about me. I wasn’t thinking about my future. I was thinking about what’s best for these young people. And that was what our whole staff did.”
Later, asked about the coaching transition, Mack relinquished, “I will get out of the way.”
Arthur Smith had been linked to the vacancy, but as ESPN reported Sunday, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator informed his alma mater he should not be considered for the role.
