All posts by Cliff Barnes

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University should have allowed Mack Brown to go out on his own terms

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Critics of Mack Brown argue that he had to go because his up-in-the-air status was hurting recruiting and the current football team. Well, who is to blame for that? It’s easy to say the legendary UNC coach shouldn’t be back after a 6-6 record and a couple of particularly bad losses. But had Bubba Cunningham come out in support of Brown after the loss to James Madison, the recruits wouldn’t have left (or not signed with Carolina) and I argue that the current team would have finished something like 8-4.

The Carolina football program, after all, is an 8-4 program. That’s who they are. Not everyone can be a football powerhouse year in and year out. Sure, the Tar Heels may have a great season maybe one out of every four or five years, and they may go 6-6 once out of every four or five years. But this is an 8-4 program.

The big wigs who hold the purse strings wouldn’t be content with winning seasons and bowl games. The problem is, does ending a revered coach’s career – particularly as it was done – actually help the program move forward and at what cost?

The way to handle the situation is this: Come out publicly in support of Brown during the season. Work with him behind the scenes to give him a choice of coaching one more season while grooming his predecessor or allow him to retire after the season. While the season didn’t turn out like Carolina fans would like, Brown did represent the University well. Many would prefer a 7-5 record under Brown than an 9-3 record under someone like Butch Davis.

Granted, Brown didn’t lead the team to a winning record this year – but again, I suspect stability would have been worth at least one win this season. The best answer would have been to announce that Brown is retiring after next season and a particular person was being groomed to take over the following year. That allows for a smoother transition and gives players confidence that there will be some stability.

I suspect QB Max Johnson – who, had he not gotten hurt, would have led Carolina to more victories – will transfer out of North Carolina. Starting all over again is not likely to help the Tar Heels improve much next season. Perhaps they will be an ACC contender in two or three years but that could have been the case by keeping Brown and grooming someone – and there wouldn’t be this unnecessary animosity with the most decorated coach the program has had – and one that led them through well-documented tough times off the field.

(The attached photo is during better times. Head football coach Mack Brown and his wife Sally were presented with a 100 jersey and a game ball respectively after the Tar Heels defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday night. Brown became the first coach in college football history to earn 100 wins with two schools. Photo by Jeffrey A. Camarati.)