UNC football head coach Mack Brown — Photo credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

UNC Football: Mack Brown Becomes Winningest Active Head Coach

Now that Alabama's legend has retired, UNC football's Mack Brown is safe atop the active wins list for as long as he remains in his position.

Author:
Matt Giles
Jan 10, 2024 7:20 PM EST

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North Carolina Tar Heels

UNC football leader Mack Brown is a one-time national champion (2005 with Texas) who boasts a 276-144-1 overall record between his stints with the Tar Heels, Longhorns, and Tulane (not counting his one year with then-Division 1-AA Appalachian State).

And the 72-year-old is now set to begin next season, his 36th as a head coach, as the active FBS leader in wins.

On Wednesday evening, ESPN reported that 72-year-old head coach Nick Saban has informed Alabama of his retirement. The seven-time national champion ends his 28-year ride as a college head coach with a 297-71-1 overall record between four schools (206 wins with the Crimson Tide, trailing only Bear Bryant's 232 in program history).

Saban, fresh off guiding Alabama to a ninth SEC title in his tenure before falling to eventual national champion Michigan at the Rose Bowl, was the only active head coach sitting above Brown in wins for FBS programs.

Mack Brown, who led the 2023 Tar Heels to an 8-5 record and has given no timeline for his retirement, suddenly enjoys a comfortable lead. He has 80 more wins than No. 2 on the list in 68-year-old Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz (196-119).

Brown is No. 7 on the all-time list, needing six more victories to catch No. 6 Amos Alonzo Stagg and 21 to match No. 5 Saban.