History of Mack Brown in Timeline
Mack Brown is a prominent figure in American college football, currently serving as the head coach for the University of North Carolina (UNC). His coaching career at UNC spans two separate tenures, the first from 1988 to 1997, and the second beginning in 2018 after a five-year break during which he worked as an ESPN analyst. In 1997, he left UNC to coach at the University of Texas. A testament to his coaching prowess is his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Brown returned to UNC following the dismissal of Larry Fedora, and his current term with the university is set to conclude after the 2024 season.
1949: Previous Major Bowl Appearance
The Tar Heels last major bowl appearance before 2020 was after the 1949 season.
August 27, 1951: Birth of Mack Brown
Mack Brown was born on August 27, 1951, in Cookeville, Tennessee.
1958: Last Rose Bowl Bid for Cal Before Texas's Invitation
The year 1958 was the last time Cal had been invited to the Rose Bowl before Texas's invitation in 2004, causing controversy.
1970: Playing for Vanderbilt Commodores
In 1970, Mack Brown played for the Vanderbilt Commodores football team, rushing for 364 yards and three touchdowns.
1972: Playing for Florida State Seminoles and Start of Coaching Career
In 1972, Mack Brown played as a running back for the Florida State Seminoles. After multiple knee surgeries ended his playing career, he began coaching at Florida State.
1973: Coaching at Florida State
Mack Brown served as a student coach for wide receivers at Florida State in 1973.
1974: Coaching at Florida State
Mack Brown continued as a student coach of wide receivers at Florida State in 1974.
1974: Graduation from Florida State University
Mack Brown graduated from Florida State University in 1974.
1975: Wide Receivers Coach at Southern Miss
Mack Brown began coaching wide receivers at Southern Miss in 1975.
1976: Graduate Degree from University of Southern Mississippi
Mack Brown earned a graduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1976.
1977: End of Tenure at Southern Miss
Mack Brown concluded his role as wide receivers coach at Southern Miss in 1977.
1979: Coaching at Iowa State
Mack Brown started coaching at Iowa State as a wide receivers coach in 1979.
1980: Offensive Coordinator at Iowa State
In 1980, Mack Brown helped Iowa State improve their record to 6-5 as offensive coordinator.
1980: Last ACC Title Before Brown's Arrival
The year 1980 marked the last time the Tar Heels won an ACC title before Mack Brown's tenure as head coach.
1981: Iowa State finishes 5-5-1
In 1981, Iowa State finished with a 5-5-1 record under Mack Brown's leadership as offensive coordinator.
1982: Quarterbacks Coach at LSU
In 1982, Mack Brown became quarterbacks coach at LSU, helping improve the team's record significantly.
1982: UNC's First Bowl Win Since 1982
The North Carolina Tar Heels' Peach Bowl win in 1992 was their first bowl game victory since 1982.
December 1983: Head Coach at Appalachian State and Considered for LSU Position
In December 1983, Mack Brown was the head coach at Appalachian State, achieving a 6-5 record. He was also a serious contender for the head coaching job at LSU, but the role ultimately went to Bill Arnsparger.
1983: Last Undefeated Regular Season for Texas
The year 1983 was the last time the University of Texas Longhorns had an undefeated regular season before doing so again in 2004 under Brown.
1984: Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma
Mack Brown served as the offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners in 1984 under head coach Barry Switzer.
1985: Head Coach and Athletic Director at Tulane
In 1985, Mack Brown became the head coach and athletic director at Tulane University following a point-shaving scandal.
1986: UNC's First Bowl Appearance Since 1986
The Peach Bowl in 1992 was the North Carolina Tar Heels' first bowl appearance since 1986.
1986: Improvement at Tulane
In 1986, Mack Brown's Tulane Green Wave improved their record to 4-7.
1987: Tulane Reaches Independence Bowl
Mack Brown led the Tulane Green Wave to a 6-6 record and an Independence Bowl appearance in 1987, the school's first bowl game in over four decades.
1988: First stint at North Carolina begins
In 1988, Mack Brown began his first stint as head coach at North Carolina; coincidentally against South Carolina.
1988: Mack Brown's First Tenure at UNC Begins
In 1988, Mack Brown started his first term as head coach at the University of North Carolina.
1988: Start of First Tenure at UNC
In 1988, Mack Brown's first tenure as head coach at the University of North Carolina began.
1990: UNC Improves to 6-4-1
In 1990, Mack Brown led the North Carolina Tar Heels to a 6-4-1 record, a significant improvement over previous seasons.
1991: UNC Finishes 7-4
In 1991, Mack Brown's North Carolina Tar Heels finished the season with a 7-4 record, narrowly missing a bowl game bid.
October 1992: Start of UNC's Most Successful Period
In October 1992, Mack Brown began coaching the University of North Carolina Tar Heels football team into one of its most successful runs since the 1940s.
1992: UNC's Peach Bowl Victory
In 1992, Mack Brown led the North Carolina Tar Heels to a 9-3 season culminating in a Peach Bowl victory against Mississippi State, marking the program's first bowl win since 1982.
1993: 10-Win Season at UNC
The Tar Heels achieved 10 regular-season wins in 1993, a significant milestone for the program.
1995: Offered Oklahoma Coaching Position
Mack Brown was offered the head coaching job at Oklahoma in 1995, but declined.
1995: Continued Success at UNC
By 1995, Brown had established a winning tradition at UNC, with the Tar Heels frequently appearing in the Top 25 rankings.
1997: Accepts Texas Head Coaching Job
Following the 1997 regular season, Mack Brown accepted the head coaching position at the University of Texas.
1997: Record Crowd at Kenan Stadium
In 1997, a record crowd of 62,000 attended a game against Florida State at Kenan Stadium, highlighting the renewed popularity of Tar Heels football under Mack Brown.
1997: Mack Brown Leaves UNC for Texas
Mack Brown departed UNC in 1997 to accept the head coaching job at the University of Texas.
1997: Brown's Departure for Texas
Mack Brown's last full season with the Tar Heels before leaving for Texas was in 1997.
1997: Brown's Departure and Torbush's Gator Bowl Appearance
Mack Brown's last regular season at UNC was in 1997. Carl Torbush then took over as coach for the 1998 Gator Bowl.
1997: Another 10-Win Season at UNC
UNC matched their 1993 success with another 10-win regular season in 1997.
1998: Torbush Coaches Gator Bowl
Carl Torbush coached North Carolina in the 1998 Gator Bowl after Mack Brown departed for Texas.
1998: Red River Showdown Victories Begin
Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns began their series of victories against Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown in 1998.
1998: Tulane's Last Bowl Game Until 1998
Mack Brown's leadership brought Tulane their last bowl game appearance for many years until 1998.
1999: Texas Reaches Big 12 Title Game
In 1999, Mack Brown led Texas to their second Big 12 Championship game appearance, but lost to Nebraska.
1999: Texas Wins Red River Showdown
In 1999, Mack Brown coached the Texas Longhorns to a victory over their rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, in the Red River Showdown.
1999: Response to Aggie Bonfire Tragedy
Following the Aggie Bonfire tragedy in 1999, Mack and Sally Brown organized a blood drive at UT Austin.
2001: Another Big 12 Championship Appearance
Texas reached the Big 12 Championship game again in 2001 under Brown, but lost to Colorado.
2002: Missed Opportunity for Big 12 Title
Despite losses by Oklahoma in 2002, Texas also lost to Texas Tech, preventing them from competing in the Big 12 Championship game.
2003: Texas Misses BCS Bowl Despite Strong Record
In 2003, Texas finished with a 10-2 regular season record, but due to BCS rules and Oklahoma's loss in the Big 12 Championship game, they missed out on a BCS bowl bid.
2004: Comeback Win and Controversy
In 2004, Texas achieved a record comeback victory against Oklahoma State but faced controversy over alleged officiating bias in a close win against Kansas.
2004: Texas Wins the Rose Bowl
Texas, led by coach Mack Brown, won the 2004 Rose Bowl against Michigan, marking a significant victory for the program.
2005: Texas Victorious in Red River Showdown
The Texas Longhorns, under Mack Brown, continued their winning streak against Oklahoma in the 2005 Red River Showdown.
October 2006: Mack Brown's Cameo Appearance
Mack Brown made a cameo appearance in the pilot episode of "Friday Night Lights" in October 2006.
2006: Texas' season challenges and rebound
In 2006, after starting strong and being ranked No. 2 in pre-season polls, Texas faced a setback with a loss to Ohio State. Despite winning seven consecutive games afterward, injuries and unexpected defeats against Kansas State and Texas A&M derailed their championship hopes. They concluded the season with a victory over Iowa at the Alamo Bowl, finishing with a 10-win season.
2006: National Championship and Rose Bowl Victory
Mack Brown led the Texas Longhorns to an undefeated season, culminating in a victory against USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl, securing the national championship.
2006: Mack Brown Receives "Coach of the Year" Award
Mack Brown was honored with the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award for "Coach of the Year" in 2006.
2006: Texas wins BCS National Championship Game
In 2006, Texas faced USC at the BCS National Championship Game, held at the Rose Bowl. It was a historic matchup, as both teams were unbeaten and averaged over 50 points per game. The game set an NCAA record with a combined 53-game win streak for the teams. Texas emerged victorious, defeating USC 41-38, securing their first national championship in 34 years.
2007: Texas faces challenges and triumphs in 2007
During the 2007 season, Texas experienced ups and downs, including a notable loss to Kansas State and a second consecutive defeat to Texas A&M. Despite these challenges, Mack Brown secured his 100th win at Texas with a victory over Nebraska. The Longhorns finished with a 10-3 season, continuing their streak of consecutive 10-win seasons.
2007: Mack Brown's 10th season at Texas
In 2007, Mack Brown entered his 10th season as Texas Longhorns' head coach. He achieved a record of 93-22, marking the best winning percentage in Longhorn history at .809. The team ranked high in pre-season polls, continuing to build on their legacy.
October 4, 2008: Texas begins Big 12 play with a win
On October 4, 2008, Texas began their Big 12 Conference play with a victory over the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder. This win was part of their strong start to the season, rising in national rankings.
October 11, 2008: Texas defeats Oklahoma in Red River Shootout
On October 11, 2008, Texas defeated the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Shootout. This marked the third UT win in four seasons and was a significant upset during Mack Brown's tenure, boosting Texas's standings.
November 1, 2008: Texas suffers defeat against Texas Tech
On November 1, 2008, Texas faced a dramatic defeat against Texas Tech. Despite taking a late lead, Texas Tech scored a last-second touchdown to win 39-33, preventing Texas from reaching the Big 12 Championship Game.
2008: 200th Career Win
During the 2008 season, Mack Brown achieved his 200th career win as a coach, becoming the first Texas Longhorns coach to reach this milestone.
2008: Texas Wins Red River Showdown
In 2008, the Texas Longhorns, coached by Mack Brown, added another win against their rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, in the Red River Showdown.
2009: Texas wins Fiesta Bowl and Mack Brown's 200th win
In 2009, Texas secured a victory over Ohio State at the Fiesta Bowl, winning 24-21. This season also marked Mack Brown's 200th career win, solidifying his legacy as a successful coach.
2009: Texas reaches national title game but loses
In 2009, Texas went undefeated in the regular season and won the Big 12 South Division. They reached the national title game against Alabama but lost, with QB Colt McCoy injured early in the game. This marked the last peak of success for Texas under Mack Brown.
2009: Texas Continues Red River Showdown Dominance
Mack Brown and the Texas Longhorns secured another victory in the Red River Showdown against Oklahoma in 2009.
2010: Chizik's National Championship
Gene Chizik, hired as defensive coordinator for the Tar Heels in 2022, won a National Championship at Auburn in 2010.
2010: Texas has a losing season, missing bowl game
In 2010, Texas experienced a challenging season, ending with a losing record and missing a bowl game for the first and only time under Mack Brown's coaching.
December 14, 2013: Mack Brown announces resignation
On December 14, 2013, Mack Brown announced his resignation as Texas's Head Coach, effective after the bowl game that season. This marked the end of an era for the Longhorns under Brown's leadership.
2013: Resignation from Texas
Mack Brown resigned from his head coaching position at the University of Texas after the 2013 Alamo Bowl, leaving as the second most successful coach in the program's history, trailing only Darrell Royal.
2013: Texas Wins Final Red River Showdown under Brown
Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns defeated their rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, in the 2013 Red River Showdown.
January 30, 2014: Mack and Sally Brown Day
January 30, 2014, was declared "Mack and Sally Brown Day" in Austin to recognize their contributions to the city.
2015: Chizik's Previous Role at UNC
Gene Chizik, before his 2022 appointment, served as defensive coordinator for the Tar Heels in 2015 and 2016 under coach Fedora.
2016: Chizik's Previous Role at UNC
Gene Chizik, before his 2022 appointment, served as defensive coordinator for the Tar Heels in 2015 and 2016 under coach Fedora.
2016: North Carolina Achieves Bowl Eligibility
In 2016, North Carolina became bowl eligible for the first time since 2016 under Mack Brown.
November 2018: Mack Brown Returns to North Carolina
Two days after Larry Fedora was let go, Mack Brown was announced as the new head coach for UNC in November 2018, returning after a five-year break from coaching during which he was an ESPN analyst.
November 27, 2018: Mack Brown Returns to North Carolina
On November 27, 2018, Mack Brown was appointed head coach at North Carolina after a five-year break from coaching. This marked his return to UNC after 21 years since his departure for Texas. In his first game back, North Carolina upset South Carolina.
2020: Tar Heels Reach Orange Bowl
In 2020, the Tar Heels, led by Mack Brown, secured a spot in the Orange Bowl. This was their first major bowl game appearance since 1949.
2021: High Expectations for Tar Heels
Entering the 2021 season, the Tar Heels under Mack Brown had high expectations, ranked 9th in the preseason AP Poll.
2022: Tar Heels Win Coastal Division, Then Falter
In 2022, the Tar Heels secured the ACC Coastal Division Championship but lost their remaining games, including the ACC Championship and the Holiday Bowl.
2022: Defensive Improvements and Offensive Boost
The 2022 Tar Heels had an improved defense compared to 2022.
2022: Coaching Changes and Quarterback Battle
The 2022 season saw coaching changes for the Tar Heels with the departure of Jay Bateman and the hiring of Gene Chizik. There was also a quarterback competition to replace Sam Howell.
2023: Tar Heels' Strong Start, Late-Season Struggles
In 2023, the Tar Heels had their best start since 1997 at 6-0, but struggled in the latter part of the season, finishing 8-5.
2023: Further Staff Changes for Tar Heels
Prior to the 2023 season, North Carolina underwent more staff changes, including new offensive and tight ends coaches.
2024: All-Time Winningest Coach at UNC
By 2024, Mack Brown becomes the all-time winningest coach in the history of the University of North Carolina, surpassing Dick Crum's record for most wins in the program's history. He also has the most career wins among active NCAA Division I FBS football coaches.
2024: Brown Fired from UNC
Mack Brown was fired by UNC in 2024 with one game remaining in the season, but coached the final game.
2024: Mack Brown's Second Tenure at UNC to End
Mack Brown's second term as head coach at UNC is set to conclude following the 2024 season. He becomes Carolina's all-time winningest coach.
2025: Brown Expresses Interest in Returning
Mack Brown wanted to return for the 2025 season.