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North Carolina head football coach Mack Brown will not return for the 2025 season, the team announced on its website Tuesday (November 26).
Brown, 73, was informed by Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham of his decision on Monday (November 25). The former national champion will coach the Tar Heels in their season finale against N.C. State on Saturday (November 30), however, his status for the team's yet to be determined bowl game hasn't yet been decided.
"While this was not the perfect time and way in which I imagined going out, no time will ever be the perfect time," Brown said in a statement shared by the North Carolina football team. "I've spent 16 seasons at North Carolina and will always cherish the memories and relationships [my wife] Sally and I have built while serving as head coach. We've had the chance to coach and mentor some great young men, and we'll miss having the opportunity to do that in the future. Moving forward, my total focus is on helping these players and coaches prepare for Saturday's game against N.C. State and give them the best chance to win. We want to send these seniors out right and I hope our fans will show up Saturday to do the same."
Brown, who had previously served as North Carolina's head coach from 1988 to 1997, returned to Chapel Hill after 16 seasons at Texas, which included winning the 2005 national championship. The 73-year-old led the Tar Heels to a combined 113-78-1 record in 16 total seasons, which included an ACC Coastal Division title in 2022.
"Mack Brown has won more games than any football coach in UNC history, and we deeply appreciate all that he has done for Carolina football and our University,'' Cunningham said via GoHeels.com. "Over the last six seasons – his second campaign in Chapel Hill -- he has coached our team to six bowl berths, including an Orange Bowl, while mentoring 18 NFL draft picks. He and his wife Sally have done an outstanding job supporting the Carolina community, including raising funds for UNC Children's Hospital while hosting other popular events such as the Ladies Day Clinic. Both also have been terrific in leading our program during some incredibly tough stretches, including the tragic passing of wide receiver Tylee Craft this season.
"Coach Brown has led the Carolina football program back into the national conversation as we improved the program's facilities, significantly increased the size of the staff, invested in salaries and bolstered our nutrition and strength and conditioning programs. He also has been a dedicated fundraiser, strengthening the football endowment while also supporting our other sports programs.
"We thank Coach Brown for his dedication to Carolina, and wish him, Sally and their family all the best."