In 2005, Mack Brown led the University of Texas Longhorns to a national football championship. But following less-than-stellar seasons in recent years, the Mack Brown era is coming to a rocky end.
On Saturday, Brown announced he’s stepping down as head coach of the Longhorns football team after the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30 against the University of Oregon. Brown’s resignation follows days of heightened speculation about his fate at Texas.
A news conference about Brown’s imminent departure is set for 1 pm Sunday. Questions certainly will pop up about Brown’s replacement for one of the most coveted football coaching jobs in the country. University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban no longer is in the successor mix, as he just signed a contract extension with the Crimson Tide.
“I sincerely want it to get back to the top,” Brown said, “and that’s why I am stepping down after the bowl game.
Brown exits UT with one national championship under his belt, along with two Big 12 titles, a national championship appearance in 2009 and a 158-46 record.
However, the football program had slipped far below many Longhorns’ expectations in recent years. From 2001 to 2009, the team had racked up at least 10 wins each season. This season, the team’s record stands at 8-4, with the Longhorns sitting at third place in the Big 12 and losing this year’s league championship to Baylor University. Over the past four seasons, Longhorns have compiled a 30-20 record.
“I sincerely want it to get back to the top,” Brown said, “and that’s why I am stepping down after the bowl game. I hope with some new energy, we can get this thing rolling again.”
Brown’s UT contract, scheduled to expire in 2020, pays $5.4 million a year.
Sixteen years ago, DeLoss Dodds, who recently stepped down as men’s athletics director after 32 years at UT, brought Brown to the Forty Acres to pull together a shaky football program.
“We built a strong football family, reached great heights and accomplished a lot, and for that, I thank everyone. It's been a wonderful ride. Now, the program is again being pulled in different directions, and I think the time is right for a change,” Brown said.
Steve Patterson, the new men’s athletics director at UT, praised Brown.
“He’s been a tremendous coach, mentor, leader and ambassador for our university and our student-athletes. He is truly a college football legend,” Patterson said in a statement. “I’ve had a number of talks with him recently, and he has always said he wanted what was best for The University of Texas. I know this decision weighed heavily on him, and today he told us he’s ready to move forward.”
UT President Bill Powers — whose own tenure at the university has been under fire lately — said Brown’s resignation is “difficult” for the school.
“Mack Brown is one of the best football coaches in the country, a tremendous representative of our University, and, most importantly, a great friend,” Powers said in a statement. “He has produced championship teams with tremendous student-athletes and has always done so with the utmost class and integrity. Mack is just the best, and he will be missed.”
One of the weekend's major talking points was the addition of the new Paddock Hospitality track at the top of Turn 1. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although he is not in contention for a repeat championship, Lando Norris remains a crowd favorite. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli led from the start, never losing placement as he claimed his ninth win of the season. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It was hard to get a moment with Paddock star the Ferrari Pope, who posed for pictures all weekend. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli greeted the Grandstand before boarding the trailer ahead of the Driver's Parade on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Lily Zneimer stopped for a quick portrait before heading into the McLaren garage to support her boyfriend, driver Oscar Piastri.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Michael Dell made their way to the McLaren garage just before the qualifying round on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It takes a well-oiled machine of a team to win races. No drama, just fist bumps and good communication. Oh, and a fast car.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
COTA's new attraction is the theme park, aptly named COTALand. Clearly, the jury remains out on the spectacle. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's not uncommon to see fans lined up outside of the Paddock as they wait for their favorite drivers and teams to head out for the day. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Last year's US Grand Prix winner, Max Verstappen, finished third this year after starting second on the grid. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Alpine's pit crew got their warm-ups done shortly before race start on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
"All we talk about are tires and batteries in this sport. (They're the) stars of the show," said Nic Cameron of Leeds, New York. Mercedes engineers stacked used tires from the qualifying session to send off for analysis.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Interior designer and Miss Jamaica Universe 1994 Angelie Spencer was on site to support her favorite team, Ferrari. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Having Cadillac driver and fan favorite Checo Perez back on the grid has been great for the US Grand Prix, as thousands of Mexicans come to Austin to watch their countryman race. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's no surprise who fashion influencer Aimee Kelly supports.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although Antonelli took home the winner’s trophy, he did not clinch the driver’s championship as some had hoped. He needed teammate George Russell to fall to 9th and ex-Mercedes world champion Lewis Hamilton to finish in 5th. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Mercedes garage was full of adrenaline as they waited for Antonelli to arrive at parc fermé and take the traditional plunge into the hands of his crew.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The championship is all but Antonelli’s, with one hand firmly on the grip of the trophy. He is expected to complete his first-ever world championship this weekend in Mexico.Photo by Daniel Cavazos