North Carolina Tar Heels football, Running back, Mack Brown, American football, Redshirt, Head coach from

North Carolina Tar Heels Football: Mack Brown's Resurgence

A Resurgence Under Mack Brown

After a disappointing 2018 season that saw the Tar Heels finish with a 2-9 record, Mack Brown returned to Chapel Hill in 2019 to lead the Tar Heels football program. Brown, who had previously coached UNC from 1988-1997 and led them to the 1993 and 1997 Gator Bowls, was tasked with turning around a struggling program. In his first season back at the helm, Brown led the Tar Heels to a 7-6 record, their first winning season since 2016. The Tar Heels also won their first bowl game since 2013, defeating Temple in the Military Bowl. Brown's success in his first season back at UNC was due in large part to the play of running back Javonte Williams. Williams, a redshirt sophomore, rushed for 1,140 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019. He also caught 25 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Williams' performance earned him several accolades, including being named the ACC Player of the Year and a First-Team All-ACC selection. He was also named a Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press. In 2020, the Tar Heels finished with a 8-4 record and won the Orange Bowl. They also finished ranked No. 14 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. This season, the Tar Heels are off to a 3-0 start and are ranked No. 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings. They are led by quarterback Sam Howell, who is one of the top quarterbacks in the country. The Tar Heels have a chance to win their first ACC Championship since 1997. They have a tough schedule remaining, but they have the talent and the coaching to make a run at the title.

Key Stats

* Mack Brown is 15-10 in his second stint as head coach at North Carolina. * The Tar Heels have won eight or more games in two of Brown's three seasons. * Running back Javonte Williams is the ACC Player of the Year and a First-Team All-ACC selection. * Quarterback Sam Howell is one of the top quarterbacks in the country. * The Tar Heels are ranked No. 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Key Quotes

* "I think we're just scratching the surface of what we can be," Brown said after the Tar Heels' win over Miami in 2020. "We've got a lot of young talent, and we're starting to get it together." * "Javonte Williams is a special player," Brown said. "He's got a great combination of size, speed, and power." * "Sam Howell is the future of North Carolina football," Brown said. "He's got all the tools to be a great quarterback."

Conclusion

Mack Brown has quickly turned around the North Carolina Tar Heels football program. In just three seasons, he has led the Tar Heels to two winning seasons, a bowl game victory, and a top-10 ranking. The future is bright for the Tar Heels under Brown's leadership.