Addressing rumors that he might resign in the aftermath of an emotional speech Saturday, North Carolina coach Mack Brown on Monday said his words were misinterpreted and took full responsibility for his actions.
Brown had addressed his team following a 70-50 loss to James Madison, when both sides of the ball had their issues for the Tar Heels.
“I shouldn’t have put that pressure on them, so I’m disappointed in me,” said Brown, who told his team on Saturday he would step down if the players felt he wasn’t leading them in the right direction. “I love my job, I love these kids, and I love this place. That’s why I hate losing so much.”
Brown, a head coach for 35 of the past 39 years, said the feedback from the players was “overwhelmingly” supportive after he apologized to them later Saturday night for his comments.
In the defeat to a program in its third season of FBS play, North Carolina (3-1) allowed 611 yards and committed five turnovers. The Tar Heels also gave up 53 points in the first half, the most allowed in a half in school history.
While taking responsibility for the loss, Brown also put the onus on his assistant coaches. This week, North Carolina faces host Duke (4-0) and coach Manny Diaz, whom Brown fired as Texas defensive coordinator, a day after the Longhorns gave up 550 rushing yards and 679 total yards in a 2013 loss at BYU.
Brown has always taken losses hard and has vowed to improve, but it hasn’t been easy for the 73-year-old.
“I hate losing,” he said. “It makes me physically sick, and I feel responsible. I put all the pressure on me, and I can’t do that.
“I’m supposed to be a role model for these kids, supposed to take negatives and turn them into positives and supposed to learn from losses. I didn’t do that very well Saturday night. I’m disappointed in me. I’ll grow from it and won’t do it again.”
–Field Level Media