Mack Brown reveals how last year's bowl loss has motivated UNC entering Holiday Bowl

Mack Brown made his feelings quite clear on the performance that North Carolina put on last season during their 38-21 loss to South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. That’s why, in 2022’s postseason appearance for UNC, he has every intention of getting a better showing out of the Tar Heels in the Holiday Bowl tonight.

Brown spoke about the embarrassment of last year’s loss ahead of tonight’s chance to make things right against Oregon. He said all he’s looking for is effort because, whether he didn’t get it out of them or his players didn’t bring it, the Tar Heels didn’t have any last year and it wasn’t fair to anyone involved with or who watched the game.

“As a football coach, you are embarrassed if your team doesn’t play well. And I mean play as hard as they can,” said Brown. “We’re going to mess up some stuff. Kids are going to mess up some stuff. But if they give us 100% effort? I’m good. That’s all we can do. Last year we didn’t do that. Not everybody tried hard during the game. I can’t stand kids loafing. I can’t stand kids not caring and there was some of that. That’s all my responsibility.”

“I told the guys this week before we started out here. I said, ‘If you are not going to give us 100% during the game? Do us a favor, do the fans a favor, and do the Holiday Bowl a favor. Stay home.’ If you are carrying water to the starters? Whatever you are doing on that sideline. If you are not going to do it 100%? Don’t go,” Brown said. “Sit in the stands because it’s not fair. It’s not fair to your teammates, it’s not fair to your coaches, it’s not fair to your family, it’s not fair to your fan base, (and) it’s not fair to Oregon to go out there and stand around. It’s sure not fair to the Holiday Bowl. You all have treated us great. You deserve a show. That’s why we’re here.”

Brown says it’s on North Carolina to put on a show tonight, whether it comes in victory or defeat. He’s going to use last season’s feeling as motivation to ensure his team puts forth the effort that’s due to an opportunity like a bowl game.

“We’re in the education business during the week. We’re in show business on the weekends. That’s it,” said Brown. “We didn’t treat the Mayo Bowl fair last year. I’ve been doing this a long time and that’s one of the worst feelings I’ve ever had in my life walking off that field thinking, ‘You know what? We didn’t show up.’ You can’t say your whole team didn’t show up because some did. Some of those guys play their tail off every game, but, as a team, we didn’t show up. It made me want to throw up.”

After losing the last two bowl games under Brown, this is a prime opportunity for them to set the record straight following last year’s loss to the Gamecocks. If nothing else, expect a far better fight out of the Tar Heels in San Diego tonight against the Ducks.