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UNC Football: Is Mack Brown contemplating retirement?

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels waves to the fans as he walks off the field with his wife Sally Brown after their win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 31-13. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels waves to the fans as he walks off the field with his wife Sally Brown after their win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 31-13. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Based on recent reports, it seems possible that the UNC football program may be looking for a new head coach for the 2024 season.

Leading into the 2023 season, Mack Brown shot down any rumors of him retiring.

The 72-year-old has helped resurge the UNC football program, as the Tar Heels have been bowl-eligible in each of the last five seasons since his return to Chapel Hill. He is under contract through January 2027, and his next two recruiting classes (2024 and 2025) rank 26th and 16th, respectively, in the nation.

Even though all those things seem to indicate that Brown, who hasn’t slowed down at all, has no intention of stepping away, Brandon Marcello of 247Sports has heard otherwise.

Given Browns’s age, Marcello notes that it feels like we go through this on a yearly basis, but this time, the chatter seems to be even louder than normal.

"“Industry sources the last two weeks have been telling 247Sports to watch out for a potential retirement from Mack Brown. It feels like we go through this every year, but the chatter is much louder this time around. He was very emotional after the double-overtime win over Duke. Industry sources believe he might step away after his second stint at North Carolina.”"

Shortly after the reports began to surface, UNC football team spokesman Jeremy Sharpe refuted the reports, releasing this statement:

"“It’s that time of year, so someone is going to start this rumor in the hopes of affecting our team and/or recruiting like they’ve done the past two years. Mack is full steam ahead. In fact, he already has spring practice planned and is currently setting up recruiting visits for December. So no, he’s not retiring.”"

We can put the rumors aside, as it seems that Mack Brown is fully intent on coaching next season for the UNC football program.

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