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The verdict on 2023 Carolina football is not in yet.
Normally, a bid to a middling bowl like the Duke’s Mayo Bowl has little to do with defining an entire season. But, in this case, the trip to Charlotte to play West Virginia means more than extra practices and swag bags for the players.
Like in 2022, these Tar Heels have sputtered down the stretch of the season after a great start, making the bowl game more important than usual. And the presiding question whether Drake Maye plays on December 27 before turning pro has everything to do with the outcome.
While many first-round draft picks in this situation would not play (i.e., Caleb Williams of Southern Cal), Maye obviously feels some pressure to suit up for his family’s university that gave them a seven-figure NIL payment in appreciation of Drake NOT transferring after his stellar red-shirt freshman year.
So at 8-4 with a 6-0 start, the Tar Heels could wind up with nine wins just as they did last season after losing their last four games. All the good and not-so-good will be riding on whether UNC wins its first bowl game in the last four years of Mack Brown’s second stint, creating more pressure for the Hall of Fame coach.
The debate goes on whether the 72-year-old Brown should retire or keep coaching. Apparently, the decision is solely in Brown’s hands. Sources at Carolina say, without a doubt, that “it’s up to him.”
If Maye doesn’t play and the Heels lose to the Mountaineers, Brown will catch more heat from the alums and fan base who think enough is enough. And with no hot NFL prospect ready to take over the quarterbacking reins, an argument could be made that it’s time to rebuild or recalibrate under new leadership. But with an interim chancellor coming in, that won’t happen.
Brown has done immeasurable good for a program that was on life support when he decided in late 2018 to step back onto the sideline at a school that welcomed his return with open arms. Brown’s promotional chops sold out Kenan Stadium before his first game, and his return has produced five straight winning seasons and bowl bids amidst unfulfilled expectations.
In retrospect, this season has gone the way it was expected, save a home loss to Virginia that began the tailspin resulting in losses at Georgia Tech, at Clemson and at N.C. State, the last two by a combined 30 points.
Victories over underdogs South Carolina, App State, Minnesota and Pitt followed by home wins over Syracuse and Miami set up some unrealistic expectations. And UNC’s only Power 5 win after the 6-0 start was a thriller over Duke. So it stands at 8-4, which would look and seem much better if the season ended at 9-4 rather than 8-5.
“That’s pretty good around here,” Brown likes to say.
Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward
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Has there ever been a more time wasting fight by coaches, Admin, politicians, media, and the NCAA but a crashing thud as Tez Walker finally joining a team at 6-0, winning 2 more games but losing 4. Much to do about nothing.
Mack has NEVER been a good coach, but he’s 2 things if nothing else: a great recruiter and an even better salesman! Just look at his last 9 years of coaching and see the “powerhouse” teams that he consistently pads his record with: Georgia State, Wofford, Mercer, and Campbell just to name a few. Take those and a few others out, and you have a coach who barely wins 50 percent of his games, but VERY RARELY against really good teams/programs. If you take away the combined 10 wins against Duke and Miami and the crappy teams like those listed above, his winning percentage at UNC this time around is well less than 50 percent. But he should win at least 8 games next year, as we play Charlotte, NC Central, Minnesota, and James Madison (non-conference), and we have the EASIEST schedule in the ACC in conference games.
I sure hope Mack retires NOW (as his boss doesn’t have the guts to do anything with him), so we can move on and hire someone who can actually coach and develop players. Anyone disagreeing with me is fine, but please look at his numbers (the last 9 years) before you do. And don’t just look at the way the last 2 teams finished the season: Look at the last 5 seasons’ finishing games.
I am one of the minority that actually believes UNC can do MUCH BETTER than we’ve been doing under Mack. A lot of people actually agree with me, but they don’t have the guts to try to do anything about it. And if Kevin G. leaving keeps Mack around longer, I REALLY hate to see Kevin go to Michigan State. Maybe he can take Mack with him!!!!!
You might want to check the results of the 2021 season. We finished 6-7, so Mack has not produced 5 straight winning seasons. What he HAS done is consistently lose multiple games to inferior teams every year.
Mack Brown great recruiter and salesman. Need Coach brown too retire. And let’s hire a top football coach