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Mack Brown's replacements 2024: 3 potential candidates to replace UNC coach if he gets fired after JMU loss

The North Carolina Tarheels could explore Mack Brown's replacements after an upset loss against James Madison on Saturday afternoon. The Tarheels suffered a 70-50 loss in this shootout matchup, their first of the season.

James Madison improved to 4-0 on the season and embarrassed UNC's defense, recording 611 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns. The Dukes defense also made its mark, forcing five turnovers.

Following the game, questions arose about Mack Brown's job security after the coach's emotional message to his team.

While later reports indicated the coach wouldn't be resigning and that be will remain at his position as North Carolina's coach, the program could look to move in a new direction after the loss.

Here are three candidates to replace Mack Brown if the Tarheels are to move on from the Hall of Famer.


Three potential Mack Brown replacements following JMU loss

Chip Lindsey, UNC

If the Tarheels were to look in a different direction from Mack Brown, a replacement could be waiting in the wings. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey joined the UNC coaching staff in the 2022 offseason.

Lindsey was the head coach at Troy, where he commanded three straight five-win seasons. He coached the Trojans to the 25th-best scoring offense in the country, averaging 33.8 points per game offensively.

Billy Napier, Florida

This pick is definitely a stretch, but Billy Napier could be the first coach to go at the end of the season after back-to-back disappointing seasons at Florida and a third likely to come following a 2-2 start to the current season.

While three consecutive disappointing campaigns with the Gators may be unattractive to Tarheels fans, let's not forget that Napier was regarded as a high-profile coach candidate coming into the Florida job, leading the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns to three 10-win seasons in four years, with bowl wins in 2019 and 2020.

Hugh Freeze, Auburn

Another SEC coach on the hot seat, Hugh Freeze has also struggled to get consistency out of his Auburn team during his tenure.

After a 6-7 record in his first year, Auburn is struggling to get out of the gates in Hugh Freeze's second year with the Tigers, posting a 2-2 record through four games.

Hugh Freeze was another high-profile signing coming into Auburn after three straight bowl wins at Liberty.


More candidates could emerge as the season progresses, but Tarheel fans have plenty to be excited about with the aforementioned candidates.

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