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.”

Mere days after legendary coach Mack Brown left the door open to a return in 2025, North Carolina football slammed it shut. UCN announced Tuesday Brown would not be returning after 2024, ending his second tenure after six years and 16 total years in Chapel Hill.

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.