A win against heated rival North Carolina State wasn't among them across Brown's final four seasons at the helm, which concluded Saturday when the Wolfpack exploded for 22 fourth-quarter points in their 35-30 win.

Mack Brown will not coach North Carolina's bowl game this season, he told reporters following the Tar Heels' 35-30 loss to NC State on Saturday. The

Many UNC fans said they are disappointed to see Mack Brown go, one pointing out the talent the head coach brought to Tar Heel football.

Will North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham target a sitting head coach, like Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, or a well-regarded coordinator from a major program, like Georgia’s Glenn Schumann?

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Hollywood Smothers slipped through the middle of the line for a 2-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left to help N.C. State beat rival North Carolina 35-30 on Saturday night in the Tar Heels' final game under Mack Brown.

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.

Mack Brown closed his North Carolina coaching tenure with a loss to rival North Carolina State. That came days after the school announced the program's winningest coach wouldn't return next

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.”

The last time North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham hired a football coach, it took two days to select Mack Brown in 2016.. He won't be able to move that fast this year, Cunningham said in an interview with the Tar Heel Sports Network on Tuesday night before the men's basketball game in Maui.