CHARLOTTE — UNC football coach Mack Brown discussed several topics on Thursday at ACC Kickoff, the league’s preseason media event.

Coming off an 8-5 overall record, including a 4-4 mark in the ACC, the Tar Heels return several starters, including running back Omarion Hampton and defensive end Kaimon Rucker.

Conner Harrell, Max Johnson and Jacolby Criswell are competing to replace Drake Maye as UNC’s starting quarterback in Mack Brown’s sixth season since returning to Chapel Hill.

UNC will start the 2024 season on Thursday, Aug. 29, against Minnesota in Minneapolis before the home opener on Sept. 7 against Charlotte at Kenan Stadium.

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Here are the highlights from Brown’s press conference at ACC Kickoff.

Mack Brown discusses UNC’s need to improve depth

The Tar Heels have been plagued by poor finishes in each of the last three seasons, including three losses in a row to end 2023. Brown pointed to a key area that could produce better results in 2024.

“Our whole focus since the end of last season is, why are we not finishing right? ... We're going to play more people. We have to play more people and create more depth. We've said it for five years, haven't done it,” Brown said.

“(Defensive coordinator) Geoff Collins is committed to doing that, and we'll do it on offense as well. When you have starters that are not as tired at the end of the year, you can have them more involved with special teams. We got to get better on special teams, on defense. … They're simple answers for a very difficult problem, but they're things that we can do.”

Mack Brown on continuing to coach, pursuing his ‘purpose’

As his peers continue to retire, including former Alabama coach Nick Saban, Brown reiterated what coaching means to him as he enters his 35th season as a head coach.

“People ask now, ‘Why are you doing this?’" Brown said.

Brown went on to recall a conversation he had with the late Bobby Bowden, a legendary coach at Florida State.

“I asked Coach Bowden, 'Why are you doing this at 84?'” Brown said. “He said, ‘I have a purpose. The purpose is to help these young people with their lives.’ He said, 'When I quit coaching, the next significant thing that will happen in my life will be my death.'

“I thought that's pretty strong. The way I feel is I love these guys. I don't like these guys, I love these guys. … I feel such a purpose, more than any time in my life that I can help with their lives. That's pretty powerful as you start looking at it. That's why I got back into coaching. I feel even more strongly about that.”

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: ACC football media days: UNC football's Mack Brown discussed Tar Heels