Report: Mack Brown Plans to Return as UNC Head Coach in 2025 amid Retirement Rumors

Amid rumors that the 2024 season would be his last, North Carolina head coach Mack Brown plans to return next season.

Per 247Sports' Matt Zenitz, Brown has told people around the program, including the staff, players and recruits, that he will remain with the Tar Heels beyond the 2024 season. Brown, who is 73 years old, is in his sixth season at North Carolina.

Brown, who coached the Tar Heels from 1988 to 1997 and returned in 2019, took over a team that had won just five games across the two seasons before his arrival. He has led North Carolina to five consecutive winning seasons and has the chance to do so again this year.

The Tar Heels' best finish under Brown came in 2022 when they went 9-5 and reached the ACC Championship, losing to Clemson.

North Carolina started the 2024 season 3-4, but has since won three straight games over Virginia, Florida State and Wake Forest and has meetings with Boston College and NC State to close out the year.

Wins over the next two weeks would give Brown his fourth season with eight wins or more since taking over at North Carolina.

Before his time with the Tar Heels, Brown was the head coach of Texas from 1998 to 2013. During his tenure, he led the Longhorns to a 158-48 record and won two Big 12 championships and a national championship in 2005.

While Brown has accomplished plenty in his 50-plus seasons as a coach, he's not ready to call it a career yet and will look to lead the Tar Heels to more success in 2025.