North Carolina’s Mack Brown has “overwhelming” support from players

After Saturday’s dismal 70-50 loss to James Madison, North Carolina coach Mack Brown said he told his team he would resign if the players didn’t feel they were getting the leadership they needed from him.

Several people in the locker room left the room believing that the 73-year-old Brown was planning to retire, but on Monday he said that was a misinterpretation, although he took full responsibility for the rumors that followed an emotional meeting in the locker room made the rounds.

“I shouldn’t have put that pressure on them, so I’m disappointed in myself,” Brown said. “I love my job, I love these kids and I love this place. That’s why I hate losing so much.”

Brown said he effectively offered his resignation to the team if players believed he was unable to properly lead the program, but that players “overwhelmingly” supported him. He said he messaged the team 30 minutes to an hour after he got home Saturday night, apologizing for his comments and promising he would get better.

Brown has a reputation for taking losses particularly hard. He had promised his wife, Sally, that he would improve on that when he returned to UNC in 2019 after 16 seasons as Texas’ coach (1998-2013). However, he said he found it difficult to change his style.

He noted that he keeps a quote from Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry that says, “You learn from losses.”

“That’s true,” Brown said, “but I usually have to start studying on Monday or Tuesday.”

Brown said repeatedly Monday that he takes full responsibility for the team’s performance against James Madison, but he also gave his assistant coaches responsibility to better prepare the players. He said the team is fully focused on this week’s matchup against undefeated Duke – a program led by Manny Diaz, whom Brown hired as Texas defensive coordinator less than 24 hours after the Longhorns defeated the BYU Cougars in a losing effort earlier this year After allowing 550 rushing yards in 2013, he was released.

“I hate losing,” Brown said. “It makes me physically sick and I feel responsible. I’m putting all the pressure on myself and I can’t do that.”

Brown said his team handled the situation better than he did, but he also said he was disappointed when rumors of his departure emerged from the locker room Saturday night.

“Things used to stay in the locker room,” Brown said. “The locker room is sacred. He’s obviously not that anymore.”

North Carolina is 3-1 this season and the Tar Heels have used three different quarterbacks in four games. Saturday’s loss was due in part to five turnovers by the offense and 611 yards given up by the defense. The Dukes scored 53 points in the first half, a record in any half against the Tar Heels.

“I’m supposed to be a role model for these kids, turn negatives into positives and learn from loss,” Brown said. “I didn’t do particularly well on Saturday evening. I’m disappointed in myself, I’m going to grow from it and not do it again.”