north carolina state coach Mack Brown won’t be back in 2025capping off one of the most legendary careers in college football history. Brown, 74, is one of only three FBS coaches to win a national championship and the first UNC coach to reach 100 wins in two league games.
But while Brown has a big job on his hands, North Carolina is preparing to enter as the top recruit on the market. The Tar Heels have posted 13 winning seasons over the past 16 years and are arguably as positioned to be the future of college football as any team in the ACC.
Whoever takes over the University of North Carolina will inherit a strong recruiting field, a talented roster, and an invested alumni base. Still, athletic director Bubba Cunningham could go in a number of directions, from a successful incumbent head coach to an exciting young coordinator up north.
Here are the top candidates to replace Brown at the University of North Carolina:
North Carolina coaching candidates
John Sumrall, Tulane coach: Frankly, Sumrall could already be a power conference coach after leading Troy and Tulane to a combined 32-6 record and 21-2 in conference play. . In his first season, Sumrall has Tulane humming as an AAC championship favorite and a potential College Football Playoff team. The former Kentucky linebacker comes from a defensive background, but also developed NFL running back Kimani Vidal and Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah. The biggest question regarding Sumrall on this list is simply whether he takes the job now or waits for more opportunities to open up, especially at his alma mater.
Barry Odom, UNLV coach: Odom was a solid coach at Missouri, earning bowl eligibility three times in four years despite some NCAA issues, but once he got to UNLV. Reached another level. The Rebels are 18-7 in two seasons under Odom, holding nine of 11 opponents to 30 points or less. Before Odom’s arrival, UNLV had only two seasons with nine or more wins in program history. However, Odom’s inconsistent performance at the power conference level could hold him back. Additionally, the Rebels have been playing well behind offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. He could be eligible for the head coaching job and may not be able to join Odom in Chapel Hill.
Jamie Chadwell, Liberty Coach: Chadwell is one of the kings of the Carolinas. Before taking the Liberty job in 2023, Chadwell spent 13 of his 14 seasons as a head coach at South Carolina. At the FBS level, Chadwell has a 60-25 record between Liberty and Coastal Carolina, including a trip to the Fiesta Bowl with the Flames in 2023. Chadwell will quickly return to familiar recruiting territory and bring both an innovative offense and a strong recruiting mind to the team. chapel hill. But his case won’t be resolved if he loses two straight games midway through the season this year.
Mack Brown fired by UNC: What to read
Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State offensive coordinator: Kotelnicki is a turnaround specialist and was part of Lance Leipold’s staffs that led both Buffalo and Kansas to wins. His misdirection offense was one of the most innovative offenses in the game, helping the Nittany Lions move from 55th to 21st in total offense. Unlike the other coaches on this list, Kotelnicki has no head coaching experience and has only been at the power conference level for four years. Still, Kotelnicki is clearly a rising star and might be worth a shot.
Dan Mullen, former Florida coach: Mullen, who has been working as a television analyst since being fired by Florida in 2021, is considered one of the top offensive minds in the sport. Mullen helped Mississippi State reach No. 1 in the nation for the first time in 2014 and leaves as the second winningest coach in program history. His .600 winning mark was the highest by an MSU coach since Darrell K. Royal in 1955. At Florida, Mullen also recorded three consecutive New Year’s Six bowl trips and finished in the top 10 in the CFP rankings. The combination of North Carolina State and the world of deferred hiring could be a match made in heaven.
Deion Sanders, Colorado: Sanders is unlikely to be North Carolina’s next coach, but he’s worth considering for both sides. The Colorado coach had one of the best seasons in college football in two years, leading the Buffs to Big 12 title contention. He will strengthen recruiting and add brand value at UNC as the Tar Heels look to maximize value. But it’s highly unlikely that Sanders will be given the same latitude in branding and public relations at UNC as he was at CU. It’s probably not compatible with both parties.
