Mack Brown landing spots: 5 teams that can target ex-UNC coach after latest firing
Mack Brown is finishing his final season with the North Carolina Tar Heels. On Nov. 25, UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham informed Brown he wouldn't return for the 2025 season. He will coach the Tar Heels in their final home game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in Week 14 on Nov. 30.
Brown's firing comes after UNC (6-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) suffered a 41-21 loss to the Boston College Eagles (6-5, 3-4) in Week 13 on Nov. 23. The year has been a setback for the Tar Heels, who had won eight games last season. In a press release on Nov. 26, UNC shared that Brown will coach against North Carolina State (5-8, 2-5 ACC) but is undecided if he'll lead the team in their bowl game.
The accomplished UNC coach had three years left on his $5 million annual contract, which expires on Jan. 15, 2028. USA Today's Steve Berkowitz shared on Nov. 26 through X that Brown is owed over $2.8 million in a buyout.
As a free agent next season, Brown could be an asset to a program looking for a coach to turn their team around. Here are five teams that could target the ex-UNC leader next year.
Charlotte 49ers
The Charlotte 49ers (4-7, 3-4 American Athletic Conference) let go of former coach Biff Poggi on Nov. 18. He led the team to a 6-16 record after two seasons with the team.
49ers assistant coach Tim Brewster has taken over Poggi's role for the rest of the season and helped the team snap a four-game losing streak against Florida Atlantic Owls (2-9, 0-7 American) on Nov. 23. They'll play their final game this Saturday when they face the UAB Blazers (3-8, 2-5 American).
Charlotte is still looking to hire a new coach in the off-season. Brown could be a potential target to take over the team.
Florida Atlantic Owls
The Owls are having a rough year, coming into Week 14 on a six-game losing streak. On Nov. 18, Florida Atlantic fired coach Tom Herman after two seasons with the team. He ended his tenure with a 6-16 record. Chad Lunsford took over the coaching position in the interim to finish the season.
Lunsford hopes to lead his team to victory against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-8, 1-6 American) on Saturday. Florida Atlantic is expected to find a new coach, and Brown may be a candidate.
Ball State Cardinals
The Ball State Cardinals (3-8, 2-5 Mid-American Conference) are among the worst teams in their conference. Former coach Mike Neu was let go on Nov. 16 after the Cardinals' 51-48 loss to the Buffalo Bulls (6-4, 4-2 MAC) in Week 12 on Nov. 12. Since then, Colin Johnson has stepped up as the interim coach but hasn't been able to snap their three-game losing streak.
Last Saturday, Ball State suffered a dominant 38-13 loss to the Bowling Green Falcons (7-4, 6-1 MAC). They'll hope to end their season on a positive note with a win over the Ohio Bobcats (8-3, 6-1 MAC) on Nov. 29. Johnson doesn't seem to be in a position to remain coach next season, so Ball State could look to hire Brown.
Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
The Golden Hurricanes hope to hire a new coach who can turn the team around after three consecutive seasons without six wins. Tulsa fired coach Kevin Wilson on Nov. 24 after two years with the team. The team's 63-30 blowout loss to the South Florida Bulls (6-5, 4-3 American) last Saturday was the final straw for Tulsa to let him go.
Tulsa wide receiving coach Ryan Switzer has taken over Wilson's role to lead the team in their final game against the Rice Owls (3-8, 2-5 American) on Saturday. Depending on how Switzer performs in the Week 14 matchup, Tulsa could be looking at the former UNC coach after the game.
Temple Owls
The Temple Owls (3-8, 2-5 American) are the fifth team that will need a new coach next year. Temple fired Stan Drayton as the coach on Nov. 17 after the team had an 18-15 overtime win over Florida Atlantic in Week 12 on Nov. 16. The program selected defensive coordinator Everett Withers to be the interim coach to finish the season while they look to hire someone else.
Withers will try to get his team their fourth win of the year when they challenge the North Texas Mean Green (5-6, 2-5 American) on Saturday. Once the season ends, Tulsa may speak with Brown about becoming the new coach.