The Evolution Of Mack Brown: From Coach February To Big Game Mack

Mack Brown is entering his 12th season as head coach at the University of Texas. Hard to believe it has been that long, most orange-bloods can vividly remember when he was being introduced in 1997, an outsider charged with the task of resurrecting a once proud program, rich in history and tradition but had become mediocre and stagnant throughout much of the 90s.

Who is Mack Brown?

Coach Brown is both a fiery competitor and consummate perfectionist. A family man first, Coach has got the right amount of charisma, grace, humility, and pizzazz. He has the ability to wow a room making everyone from recruits to supporters to alumni fall in love with him in just a 10 minute conversation.

His southern charm and invigorating spirit has turned the state of Texas upside down, and enthusiasm for the program is at an all-time high.

Success is nothing new to Coach Brown. Before taking over the Texas job, Mack was the coach at North Carolina, turning the program from one that was nationally irrelevant before him, into one that was among the nations elite by the time he left.

To put his rebuilding job in perspective, the talent level he inherited upon arriving at UNC was among the worst in the nation. It was so bad that Mack suffered back to back 1-10 seasons in 1988 and 89. In the two years prior to his resignation, Mack led the Heels to back to back 10 win seasons and Gator Bowl berths. In 1997, his final year at UNC, the Heels went 11-1 and finished fourth in the nation.

Coach Brown’s time at Texas has not gone without harsh skepticism from those inside and out of the Texas circle. Many questioned his ability to lead and overall game day coaching abilities versus opponents with equivalent talent, as the Horns struggled in the beginning of Coach Brown's tenure vs. Texas’ main nemesis Oklahoma.

All that has changed now however, Texas has won three of the last four Red River Shootouts, and Coach Brown is now 3-0 in BCS bowl games including the National Championship game in 2005, Texas’s first since 1970.

With that, the records just keep growing. With a mark of 115-26, he has the best winning percentage in UT history (.816). Mack was the recipient of the 2008 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year and 2005 Bear Bryant Coach of the Year awards.

Texas is also the only team in the nation to win at least 10 games for eight consecutive years which is the second longest streak in NCAA history.

In short, life couldn't be better for coach.

What's in store for the future of Texas? Time will tell, but Mack has elevated the program to such a state where the UT faithful expects the Horns to compete for Big 12 titles and BCS bowl games every year.

Mack Brown is a beacon of excellence and consistency. With the southern twang in his voice and that million dollar wink, Mack has vaulted his way up to the upper echelon of college football coaches and has made Texas fans proud to say..

WE'RE TEXAS.

WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD!

LOVED BY FEW. HATED BY MANY. RESPECTED BY ALL. HOOK EM.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.