North Carolina announced Tuesday that Mack Brown will not return next season, a day after the Hall of Fame coach declared his intention to return to the Tar Heels.

Athletic director Bubba Cunningham informed Brown of his decision on Tuesday. Brown, 73, will coach the team in Saturday’s regular-season finale against NC State, but no decision has been made yet on whether he will coach the Tar Heels (6-5) in their bowl game.

“While this was not the perfect time or way I imagined going out, it will never be the perfect time,” Brown said in a statement. “I spent 16 seasons at North Carolina and will always cherish the memories and relationships Sally and I built as head coaches.”

“We have had the opportunity to coach and mentor some great young men and we will miss the opportunity to do so in the future. Going forward, my entire focus will be on helping these players and coaches prepare for Saturday’s game against NC. “Say it and give them the best chance to win. We want to send these seniors out the right way and I hope our fans come out on Saturday to do the same.”

In two appearances at North Carolina, Brown went 113-78-1 overall. Brown, who won a national championship with Texas after his first tenure at UNC, returned to the Tar Heels in 2019 and appeared in an ACC championship game with them in 2022.

“Mack Brown has won more games than any other football coach in UNC history, and we deeply appreciate everything he has done for Carolina football and our university,” Cunningham said in a statement. “Over the last six seasons – his second season in Chapel Hill – he has earned our team six bowl berths, including an Orange Bowl, while also handling 18 NFL draft picks.

“…Coach Brown has brought the Carolina football program back into the national conversation by improving the program’s facilities, significantly expanding staff, investing in salaries and strengthening our nutrition, strength and conditioning programs. He has also been a dedicated fundraiser, strengthening the football foundation while supporting our other sports programs. We thank Coach Brown for his commitment to Carolina and wish him, Sally and their family all the best.

Brown ranks eighth among all-time FBS coaches with 288 wins and is the only coach with more than 100 wins at multiple FBS schools – 113 at North Carolina and 158 at Texas.

When Brown finishes the season, Cunningham and Chancellor Lee H. Roberts will begin the search for a new head coach. Brown’s contract runs for three years; The remaining payments will be made by the Department of Athletics and not from state funds.

With Brown out, there are only two active FBS head coaches left who have won a national championship – Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.