Mack Brown apologizes for reaction after North Carolina's loss to James Madison

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina football coach Mack Brown apologized on Monday, saying he was “disappointed” in how he handled the loss to James Madison. 

In the aftermath of the stunning 70-50 loss to the Dukes, Brown said reports and locker room comments about him quitting were misinterpreted. Still, he regrets how he handled the situation with his players.

“What I said is, ‘If you all don’t feel like I’m the leader you need, then I’ll go do something else,’” Brown said Monday during his weekly press conference.

“(The players) said, ‘Nah, we’re in. Let’s go.’ I wish I hadn’t put them in that spot. … If I was going to quit, I would have come in here and done it.” 

Brown, 73, has no plans to step down as the Tar Heels prepare to face rival Duke (4-0) on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium in the annual battle for the Victory Bell. 

“Excited about the future. Love my job, love these kids,” Brown said. “I love this place, that’s why I hate losing so much. Moving forward and looking forward to playing Duke this weekend.”

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Following the loss to James Madison, which was the first opponent to score 70 points against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium, Brown said he apologized to chancellor Lee Roberts and athletics director Bubba Cunningham. He received words of encouragement and support from both leaders. 

“All I can do is apologize and move forward; that’s it,” Brown said. “Did I handle it right? No. Do I admit I handled it wrong? Yes, 100%. Do I wish I hadn’t done it? Yeah, but I did it. I learn from it and I won’t do it again.” 

Brown is in his sixth season in his second stint at North Carolina, which is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least eight wins. He is 285-150-1 all time and became the winningest active coach in college football when Nick Saban retired. 

When Brown returned to Chapel Hill, he promised his wife, Sally, that he would be better at dealing with defeat.

Brown said he goes to a "dark place" after losses, acknowledging the James Madison loss is the maddest he's ever been after a game. Moving forward, he hopes to have a better handle on those situations.

“Even at 73,” Brown said, “you have to learn from some hard lessons.”