CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — Mack Brown’s second term as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels ends after this season.

UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham made the announcement Tuesday.

Brown is a Hall of Fame coach and undoubtedly the winningest coach to ever lead the Tar Heel football program. His first stint with the Heels lasted from 1988 to 1997. He then returned to Chapel Hill in 2018.

“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. “Over the last six seasons – his second season in Chapel Hill – – He has brought our team six bowl berths, including an Orange Bowl, while also overseeing 18 NFL draft picks.

“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 them.” The opportunity to do that in the future is my entire focus on helping these players and coaches prepare for Saturday’s game against To help NC State and give them the best chance to win fans will show up on Saturday do the same thing.”

Brown won a national championship in 2005 when he led the Texas Longhorns to an undefeated season.

After retiring from coaching in 2013, Brown had a successful stint as a television analyst for ESPN for several years. But when UNC won just five football games for two years, the legendary coach was lured back to the sidelines.

Brown quickly revitalized the program by signing some of the best quarterbacks in program history. Sam Howell played center for three years before being drafted by the Washington Commanders. He was followed by Drake Maye, who became the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In two appearances at North Carolina, Brown posted an overall record of 113-78-1, with an ACC Championship Game appearance in 2022.

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.