Top candidates to replace Mack Brown at North Carolina

 By Caleb Jeanneret

Mack Brown announced he was coming back for the 2025 season.... and UNC pulled the rug out from under him and announced today that Brown would not return as the head coach at UNC, which opens up one of the most intriguing openings, and the best opening so far in the 2025 offseason.


With conference realignment, no team is ever set in stone, and with the basketball success, I wouldn't be surprised if in a year North Carolina was in the SEC, which could bring some bigger names than you think to the job.


These coaches are in no order, but are my five favorite realistic replacements for the Tar Heels.

1. Andy Kotelnicki- OC Penn State



North Carolina is known as a place for top QBs, which have included Sam Howell and Drake Maye in the past few years, but the offense hasn't always been the smoothest. Kotelnicki is one of the best offensive minds in the country and has success quickly at multiple spots.

When Lance Leipold took over at Kansas, he brought Kotelnicki with him and immediately had a potent offense. Penn State struggled offensively last year and Kotelnicki has transformed it to allow Drew Allar to look more comfortable going forward. There may be "bigger" names, but this fit is one of my favorites.

2. Barry Odom- UNLV HC


Barry Odom has turned around the Rebels program, and would most likely bring OC Brennan Marion with him if he wasn't up for any HC jobs, who revolutionized offenses with the Go-Go offense.

Odom has had success at UNLV, posting an 18-7 record, and is currently ranked #24 in the CFP rankings, and also has history coaching at Missouri, where he made a bowl game in 3/4 seasons

Odom is in line for a big-time pay raise, but does he get it here?

3. Jon Sumrall- HC Tulane



After losing legendary coach Willie Fritz, Tulane was expected to take a step back, but Sumrall has taken it in stride and actually has Tulane with a chance to make the CFP.

Sumrall will have the opportunity for a new job this offseason. He has a 32-6 record as the head coach for Troy and Tulane and has proven he can have success with whatever resources he is given.

4. Tony White- DC Nebraska



This year hasn't been as dominant as last in terms of defensive statistics, but Tony White brings a level of organization and has mastered the 3-3-5 defense that has taken the nation by storm, and would definitely have more success in the pass-heavy ACC than the run-heavy Big Ten. 

White was brought up when the San Diego State job opened, and again when UCLA opened, so the interest is there.

5. Dan Mullen- Former HC Florida




This doesn't seem likely as you would think Mullen has had better jobs offered to him, but who knows? Maybe he was waiting until he was ready to get back into it and now is a perfect time.

This would be the homerun hire, but also the most unlikely. His resume speaks for itself, and although he looks good in Carolina Blue, who doesn't?


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