A bittersweet ending to Mack Brown's illustrious career is upon us

When the UNC football program takes the field on Saturday afternoon, it will be the last time that Mack Brown leads the team in front of the home crowd.

For sure it will be a bittersweet day in Chapel Hill, but it's a moment that fans shouldn't let go by the wayside.

Sure, many are in the opinion that parting ways with Brown at this point is the right thing to do. Let's remember: this is a business, and the longer you prolong it, the more it can impact you.

If you're like me, you were hoping that Brown would go out on his own terms (and in much better fashion than what this year's team has put together on the field). However, Brown was adament about still coaching while Bubba Cunningham had other plans.

In the end, Cunningham (and the university) made the decision to fire Brown, a move I don't think anyone thought would actually happen.

Brown wasn't willing to wait to make the announcement, wanting to tell his team immediately. That's why we all know about the news and are aware that Saturday is Brown's final game as the UNC football program's head coach.

For those of you that will be in attendance at Kenan Stadium (and even those watching from home), make sure to take a moment to appreciate Brown's greatness and what he did for the program as a whole. We often let recency bias dictate our thoughts, but look at the bigger picture here.

Brown is the all-time winningest coach for the UNC football program. His first stint as head coach of the Tar Heels came from 1988-97 and essentially put him (and North Carolina) on the map, as he led the Tar Heels to a record of 69-46-1 (.599), which included three 10-win seasons, six consecutive bowl games, a Top-Five finish, a Top-10 finish and two Top-20 finishes. 

After leaving North Carolina to take the job at Texas, Brown led the Longhorns to a national title and plenty of success during his time there. However, even after it appeared that Brown's coaching days were over, the UNC football program needed him back.

Brown didn't hesitate to return and let's remember: the Tar Heels had a lot of success in his second tenure.

While some say you're measured by College Football Playoff appearances, the Tar heels were fortunate to be in a spot where they actually were consistent bowl game participants. Sam Howell and Drake Maye developed into NFL quarterbacks under Brown's watch while a handful of other Tar Heels are currently thriving in the pros.

Sure, this year hasn't been great. Quite frankly, it is a year that showed where some of the program's issues currently are. Unfortunately, father time catches up with the best of them, as Brown seems to be past his time on the sidelines.

Let's not use this season as the guideline for how to feel about this. Especially on Saturday, fans at Kenan Stadium should give this man his flowers, as he's a special human being who did a lot of great things for the UNC football program and the University of North Carolina as a whole.

Thank you, Mack.