North Carolina Fires Mack Brown After He Says He Wants To Return
North Carolina Fires Mack Brown After He Says He Wants to Return
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina has fired football coach Mack Brown after he led the Tar Heels to a 6-7 record in 2022. The decision was made after Brown expressed his desire to return as coach in 2023.
Background and Context
Brown, 71, returned to North Carolina in 2019 after a successful tenure at Texas from 1998 to 2013. He led the Tar Heels to a 36-17 record in his first four seasons, including an appearance in the Orange Bowl in 2020. However, North Carolina struggled in 2022, finishing with a 6-7 record and missing out on a bowl game.
Key Facts and Latest Updates
Brown's firing comes after he told athletic director Bubba Cunningham that he wanted to return as coach in 2023. Cunningham reportedly told Brown that he would not be offered a new contract and that the school would begin a search for a new coach.
"I'm disappointed that my time at North Carolina has come to an end," Brown said in a statement. "I love this university and the people here. I wish the program all the best in the future."
Analysis or Impact
Brown's firing is a sign that North Carolina is looking for a new direction for its football program. The Tar Heels have not won an ACC Championship since 1980 and have only appeared in one major bowl game (the Orange Bowl) since 1997.
The search for a new coach is expected to begin immediately. Cunningham has said that he is looking for a coach who can bring sustained success to the North Carolina football program.
Conclusion
Mack Brown's firing is a major development for North Carolina football. The Tar Heels are now looking for a new coach who can lead them to their first ACC Championship in over 40 years.