Where does Mack Brown’s job security rank in CBS Sports’ coaching hot seat rankings?
Despite having legends like Lawrence Taylor and Julius Pepper come through the program, North Carolina has never been considered a football school.
UNC won the overall ACC five times in the 20th century, as recently as 1980, plus the ACC Coastal Division twice (2015, 2022). In recent years, the Tar Heels were lucky to have the likes of Sam Howell and Drake Maye, but that hasn’t transpired to much postseason success.
Head coach Mack Brown, whom North Carolina brought back from UT-Austin, is partially responsible for those late-season collapses. He does a great job of getting talent on the field, but not playing up to and exceeding their standards.
UNC started last year 6-0, then finished 8-5 with three straight losses. The Tar Heels finished 2022 with a 9-5 mark, but lost their last four games.
North Carolina has made bowl games in each year since Brown returned, but is just 1-4 in them.
With all this being said, combined with heightened expectations because of his caliber, is Brown on the hot seat?
According to CBS Sports, Brown’s job is safe. His ranking is second out of fifth, which means “all good…for now.”
Good news for Brown this season: expectations are lower. The Tar Heels don’t have the likes of Maye and Devontez Walker on their roster anymore, but do carry star running back Omarion Hampton and a new defensive coordinator in Geoff Collins.
If UNC fails to make a bowl game, though, don’t be surprised if 2024 is Brown’s last in college football.
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