North Carolina fires football coach Mack Brown

North Carolina announced Tuesday that Mack Brown will not return next season, a day after Brown declared his intentions to return to the Tar Heels.

Athletic director Bubba Cunningham informed Brown of his decision Tuesday. Brown, 73, will coach the team in the regular-season finale against NC State on Saturday, but a decision has not yet been made on whether he will coach the Tar Heels (6-5) in their bowl game.

“While this was not the perfect time and manner in which I envisioned walking out, no time will ever be the perfect time,” Brown said in a statement. “I spent 16 seasons at North Carolina and will always cherish the memories and the relationship Sally and I built while serving as head coach.

“We have had the chance to coach and mentor some great young men and we will miss having the opportunity to do so in the future. Going forward, my full focus is on helping these players and coaches prepare for Saturday’s game against NC .Give them the best chance to win. We want to send these seniors out and I hope our fans show up on Saturday to do the same.

In two stints at North Carolina, Brown has gone a combined 113-78-1. Brown returned to the Tar Heels in 2019 and took them to an ACC championship game in 2022.

“Mack Brown has won more games than any football coach in UNC history, and we greatly appreciate everything he has done for Carolina football and our university,” Cunningham said in a statement. “Over the past six seasons — his second campaign in Chapel Hill — he has coached our teams to six bowl berths, including an Orange Bowl, while guiding 18 NFL draft picks.

“…Coach Brown has brought the Carolina football program back into the national conversation as we improved the program’s facilities, significantly increased the size of the staff, invested in salaries and strengthened our nutrition and strength and conditioning programs. He has also been a dedicated fundraiser, strengthening football talent while also supporting our other sports programs. We thank Coach Brown for his dedication to Carolina, and wish him, Sally and their family all the best.”

With Brown finishing the season, Cunningham and chancellor Lee H. Roberts will begin the search for a new head coach. Brown has three years left on his contract; remaining payments will be paid by the Department of Athletics and not through government funds.