North Carolina’s 70-50 loss to James Madison represented one of the program’s lowest moments under Mack Brown’s tutelage. It has also prompted questions about his future.
Brown is believed to have been despondent after the final horn sounded, reportedly informing his players that a change could be in the works if they felt it was best for the team.
MORE: James Madison drops 53 first-half points en route to record-setting upset win vs. UNC
Here’s what you need to know.
Is Mack Brown retiring?
Brown was emotional following the conclusion of Saturday’s game. As he and his players pooled into the locker room, he allegedly revealed that he would step away from his coaching post, according to Inside Carolina.
Players immediately sprung into action, offering vocal support for the one-time national champion. The Tar Heels took responsibility for the defeat, a contest in which they tied their record for most points surrendered in a single game.
“Embarrassing day, shocking day, you shouldn’t be at North Carolina and lose to a Group of Five team, period,” Brown said postgame. “There are no excuses. … There’s only one place to put it, and that is on me, 100 percent. I’ve got big shoulders and I’m embarrassed. I’m embarrassed for our whole program that we would put a product like that on the field. I feel really bad about that.”
Brown told ESPN that he had no plans of walking away just yet. He’s believed to have calmed down in the minutes and hours after his outburst. Sources told Inside Carolina that he tends to take losses harder than most.
“I’m not resigning. I’ll be back at work Monday,” Brown said.
Mack Brown age
Brown is 73 years, having been born on Aug. 27, 1951. He’s currently the oldest coach in Division I Football, outpacing Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, who is four years his junior. Brown won a national championship with Texas in 2006 — and is just one of three active coaches with a national title joining Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney.
