UNC’s Brown returning in ’24: ‘Full steam ahead’

• Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior WriterNov 16, 2023, 05:53 PM ET

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  • Senior college football writer
  • Author of seven books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

Mack Brown prepares to return to the sideline at North Carolina in 2024, in spite of speculation that this season might be his last in training, a school spokesperson stated in a declaration Thursday.Brown, 72, is in his second stint at North Carolina and has actually guided the No. 20 Tar Heels to an 8-2 record. His groups are 38-24 the past 5 seasons; he had actually formerly coached at UNC from 1988 to ’97. It his 35th season as head coach of an FBS program. “It’s that time of year, so someone is going to begin this report in

the hopes of affecting our group and/or recruiting like they have actually done the past two years,”UNC spokesperson Jeremy Sharpe said in a statement.”Mack is full steam ahead. In fact, he already has spring practice planned and is presently establishing recruiting visits for December, so no, he’s not retiring.” Last season, the Tar Heels won the ACC’s Coastal Department and finished 9-5. Brown coached at Texas for

16 seasons, from 1998 to 2013, and directed the Longhorns to a national championship in 2005. The Tar Heels are connected for 3rd in the ACC standings, two games behind No. 4 Florida State and one behind No. 10 Louisville in

the loss column.North Carolina dips into Clemson on Saturday(3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN App)and closes the regular season at NC State on Nov. 25.