Mack Brown explains the chip on North Carolina's shoulder, how it compares to last year

Going into the 2023 season, North Carolina has a chip on its shoulder. As head coach Mack Brown explained, this is a chip that’s been on their shoulder since the 2021 season.

“It’s very similar, except they’re older,” Mack Brown said. “Most of them are back, and last year they had the chip on their shoulder. They were coming off six wins and an awful bowl game against South Carolina. So, keep your mouth shut and play because we didn’t deserve to be talking about anything, and nobody gave them any credit for anything, and then they’re 9-1, so they know what’s possible but we didn’t finish right.”

North Carolina lost its final four games of 2022, to Georgia Tech and NC State, then Clemson in the ACC Championship Game and Oregon in the Holiday Bowl.

“I mean, we didn’t finish right with two really good teams and two other teams that were a lot like us and didn’t finish in the end. So, now, I think they’re older. They see what’s the possibility. They see what’s out there.”

Mack Brown explained that players are excited for this season and even returned when they didn’t have to for the opportunity to compete in 2023.

“A guy like [Cedric] Gray would probably be a second round draft choice and he decides to come back because he’s so excited about the season. So, that’s what I see. This is the same attitude we had last year with more confidence and more maturity and still has a chip on the shoulder because we didn’t finish right,” Brown said.

“Now, I’d rather finish right and not have the chip on the shoulder for that reason. I’d rather create another chip on the shoulder for another reason, but that didn’t happen. So.”

Mack Brown on North Carolina reaching its goals in 2023

As Mack Brown explained, it’s incredibly important for North Carolina to reach its goals during the 2023 season.

“Spring practice recap; the positive takeaway is just what I said, it’s a business-like team. We didn’t have up-and-down practices. They were ready to practice every day. They practiced hard. When you start looking at the goals, they haven’t really changed around here for four years,” said Brown.

“What I’ve talked a lot to the staff about this spring is, having goals is important, but committing to those goals and accomplishing those goals is more important. And we haven’t done that. We haven’t run the ball well for the last two years. We haven’t stopped the run well for the last two years. But we’ve got to do those things, just fundamental parts of being a good football team before we can make progress. So let’s quit talking about the goals. We’ve committed to them, but we haven’t accomplished them.”