Brown as recently as Monday said he planned to return next season, but Bubba Cunningham, the UNC athletic director, informed Brown later Monday that “he will not return as head coach.”

In an appearance on the Tar Heel Sports Network, Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham answered questions about the dismissal of football coach Mack Brown on Tuesday.

Rick Barnes and Mack Brown coached basketball and football, respectively, at Texas for 14 years. The Tennessee coach remains good friends with Brown.