Mack Brown fired: Fans, media react to reported news of UNC’s move

Mack Brown will not return to UNC in 2025, the university confirmed on Tuesday. However, the head coach will end the year coaching in Saturday’s game against NC State.

This ironically comes just on the heels of Brown announcing that he had plans to return for the season and would be meeting with AD Bubba Cunningham after the season came to a close. That conversation clearly happened much sooner than anticipated.

Despite how legendary Brown is as a coach with a long list of accomplishments, something he will forever be remembered for even with some of the valleys he has reached at UNC, it was hard to envision a scenario in which it would be in the Tar Heels’ best interest to retain him in his current position.

He is responsible for heading one of the worst losses in program history in 2024 when the team fell 70-50 to James Madison earlier in the season. The Tar Heels currently sit at a 6-5 overall record, most recently defeated 41-21 by Boston College in a performance that was subpar.

Here’s a look at what social media had to say about Brown in general and the news that has now emerged on his status, with reactions abound:

This leaves Dabo Swinney and Kirby Smart as the only active coaches who have won a national title. https://t.co/z4chMzg0uR

— Brandon Zimmerman (@BZSEC) November 26, 2024

Both at Texas and now UNC, Mack tried to run the end-around to save himself. And both times the school called his bluff. https://t.co/ob6qZ2jAmm

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 26, 2024

Mack Brown: “I’ll be back next season y’all!”

UNC: https://t.co/cUhXPldQU8 pic.twitter.com/FI0eUaFi2F

— Jay☝️ (@unfairsports) November 26, 2024

When you hire a legend like Mack Brown, hard to imagine it ends with him being fired instead of an announced retirement.

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) November 26, 2024

Mack Brown: I’m gonna be the UNC head coach in 2025

UNC: pic.twitter.com/PjrdXajgPZ

— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) November 26, 2024

Mack Brown: “I’ll be back next season”

UNC: pic.twitter.com/tETN7xv7UY

— Andrew Cooper (@CoopAFiasco) November 26, 2024

The UNC administration after Mack Brown made clear his intentions to return for the 2025 season … https://t.co/wuUp8ipE8m pic.twitter.com/a4NknRcHPR

— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) November 26, 2024

Don’t care how it went down at UNC, Mack Brown will always be a legend. https://t.co/GvhurZ1WR1

— Parker Kelley (@parker_kelley10) November 26, 2024

Mack Brown coming into a meeting with Bubba about plans for next year. #UNC pic.twitter.com/Dg4oml86pl

— Santa Kenny (@Kenny_McComb) November 26, 2024

Mack Brown telling recruits he was coming back ≠ Mack Brown was coming back.

— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) November 26, 2024

UNC, which is at least bowl-eligible, will look to finish the regular season out on a high note when the Tar Heels face the NC State Wolfpack at 3:30 p.m. ET in Kenan Memorial Stadium.

Crissy Froyd

Crissy covers SEC football news for Saturday Down South.