Mack Brown: “Amateurism Is Gone”

Credit: UNC Athletics

By Tucker Harlin

Mack Brown has been a part of the world of college football for half a century.

From positions coach, to coordinator, to head coach, to athletics director, Brown has served in just about every role around college football programs over the course of his career.

He’s seen a lot of change in that half century. But the game is evolving more rapidly than anything Brown had seen before 2021.

“There’s been more changes in my last three years than my first 47,” Brown said. “It’s not ideal for any of us. None of us voted for it but it’s here. Amateurism is gone. We’re the mini-NFL now.”

In addition to NIL, Brown is fresh off a transfer eligibility crisis from the 2023 season.

Receiver Tez Walker missed a handful of games due to a delay in an eligibility grant from the NCAA. Both of Walker’s prior institutions were fine with his decision to transfer to North Carolina. He finished with nearly 700 receiving yards and led the Tar Heels in touchdown catches.

The Tar Heels will open the 2024 season with a trip to Minnesota for the back end of a home-and-home. It will be one of several matchups on the Thursday of the first week of the season.