The Dean Smith Center extends a warm welcome to Mack Brown

ByNBAUSA



Football in North Carolina took center stage in a packed basketball arena Monday night as a former head coach Mack Brown received a standing ovation in the Dean Smith Center. The tribute came during a first-half timeout in the Tar Heels’ 77–74 win over Louisville and served as a reminder of Brown’s impact on the Tar Heels football program during two memorable periods in Chapel Hill. A moment that bridged eras in one spotlight for a still-adjusting fan base Bill Belichick era as the UNC football coach enters just his second year at the university.

Brown, the all-time winningest coach in North Carolina football history, resigned after the 2024 season and has since said he is at peace with his departure. His resume in Chapel Hill includes an appearance in the ACC title game, a New Year’s Six bowl berth and developing star quarterback Drake May into a first-round pick. That record helped explain why the Dean Smith Center crowd rose as one when the former Tar Heels football coach walked to midfield.

InsideCarolina, the prominent Tar Heels outlet, captured the moment on X (formerly known as Twitter) by announcing the court photo and full description ceremonies. Their wording matched what the fans in the building saw as Brown was drenched in another ovation from the Carolina faithful.

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For North Carolina football, the night felt like both a thank you and a surrender. Brown’s legacy remains part of the school’s football identity, even as UNC football coaching transition continues under Belichick and the athletics’ new management structure. With the former New England Patriots head coach entering his second season after a rough 4–8 debut that saw the team miss a bowl season entirely, the Tar Heels used one honor in the game to show they can respect their past while still betting on what’s next.





2026-02-24 07:47:00

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