All forced ejections are troubling, but Mack Browns may outweigh most of them.
Days before UNC's final regular-season game, the greatest coach in Tar Heels football history was politely asked to step down — or rather, told he wouldn't be back until 2024.
And speaking to reporters Saturday after that contest, a 35-30 loss to rival North Carolina State, Brown did little to hide his frustration with the university's handling of the situation.
“I just wanted to wait until the end of the year,” Brown said. Per On3.
“and [the university] I wanted you to retire on the Monday before that. [NC] state game. We've never won state, [so] It was really important for the 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 they wanted me to do it on Friday.
“Well, I wasn't planning on doing that before Friday's game,” Brown said. University announcements on Monday.
Saturday's home loss (UNC's fourth in a row against North Carolina State) was a disappointing blow in a mediocre season.
In his sixth season at the helm, Brown's team is a marked regression from 8-5 and 9-5 seasons in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
With a 6-6 record, the Tar Heels still have a bowl berth.
But Brown isn't like that.
After Saturday's loss, the head coach informed reporters that he would not be on the bench for UNC's final game of the season.
He said the loss to the Wolfpack was “another sign from God that it was time to end…I agree with the administration that there needs to be a change in leadership at the top, but I don't think it will happen after the season ends.” I just wanted it to happen,” he said.
“These poor kids have been through a lot of turmoil in their lives, and I think the administration is keen to find a football coach. And I want to save lives and make sure they're healthy. and working on making sure they are mentally healthy.”
“When you lose four in a row, it's tough on the kids. They're not used to it. Especially here. We never had that. And especially with a young guy who's sick…”
Brown's comments were in reference to the death of Tar Heels wide receiver Tyree Craft, who passed away in October after a battle with lung cancer.
“You're 23 years old and you lost one of your best friends who you watched die. So you weren't thinking about yourself. You weren't thinking about your future. I don't know what I mean to these young people. And that's what all of our staff did.”
Later, when asked about a coaching change, Mack declined, saying, “I'm going to stay out of the way.”
Arthur Smith was implicated in the vacancy, but as ESPN reported on Sundaythe Steelers' offensive coordinator informed his alma mater that he should not be considered for the role.
