Mack Brown discusses special connection with players on the 2022 roster

The North Carolina Tar Heels football team is off to an excellent start during the 2022 season, rolling out to a 6-1 overall record. Much of their success this season can be attributed to their prolific freshman signal-caller, Drake Maye, who’s thrown for 2,283 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, while tossing just three interceptions. In his recent press conference, North Carolina head coach Mack Brown discussed why he feels like he has a special connection with this year’s roster compared with many other teams he’s coached in the past.

“Yes. This team, I feel like, has total trust in us. And they know we’re trying to help them do what they need to do to win. And they know we’ve turned the team over to them by in large, on the field. And they’re actually coaching guys. When one guy didn’t run on the field when a coach called his name out yesterday, they were all over him. ‘Common man! Pick it up! Get out there. You need to have a better attitude.’ And that hasn’t happened here in the previous three years. So, this team this fun. They’re special. They practice hard every day,” Brown said.

One big issue Brown discussed in his press conference were the conversations that every college coach in America has had to have with their players in the past few years. Tough conversations regarding the transfer portal and playing time. He said he really appreciated his players’ honesty in the conversations they’ve had together recently.

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“They’re great young people. Even with our direct conversations with them, which is very uncomfortable last week about, ‘What are you gonna do? Are you gonna transfer? Are you gonna stay? I know you’re not winning as much as you want,’ Brown said.

“These guys will tell ya exactly what they think and what they’re concerned about. We had one tell us, ‘I love it here. But I’ve gotta play more. And if I’m not gonna be able to play more, then I’ve got to look for something else.’ And we appreciate that. That’s what we need to know, because we need to know exactly what he’s thinking. So, we’ve asked these guys not to be angry. And if it’s not working for you, let’s fix it. Let’s get you somewhere else,” the North Carolina head coach said.

Brown also made sure to point out the fact that since the ‘Heels already have six wins, that they are only one of 25 teams across college football that are currently bowl eligible. And that’s one of the things he really appreciates about this group–what they’ve already accomplished this season.

“And they’re doing that. And I think, Adam, that’s what you appreciate so much. I don’t know the exact number, but I saw this morning that maybe 25 teams are bowl eligible at this point out of 131. That’s not many, when you think about it. So, these guys have accomplished a lot. Unlike so many times in my career, you’re always coaching them and worried about them. I’m pulling for these guys. Because these guys are fun. And they’re giving us everything they’ve got. So, I want them to reap the benefits out of it,” Brown said.

The North Carolina Tar Heels play the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 29. Kickoff for that one is slated for 8:00 PM EST.