Mack Brown reveals other coaches tell recruits that he is close to 'quitting'

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown is still hitting the recruiting trail at the age of 71. And recently, his age has been a question for some of the recruits he’s spoken with. But that question isn’t coming out of thin air. No. Some recruits have informed Brown that rival coaches have suggested he will retire from college football soon. And to that, the Tar Heels headman has a message for those individuals spreading those rumors.

“The last thing I’d like to mention, it’s interesting, just about every recruit that comes in asks me if I’m going to quit,” said Brown. “Because they said all the coaches recruiting against us say you’re quitting. And I said, ‘Well, I haven’t talked to any of them.’

“There were a number of them last year that said I was quitting that got fired. So they probably ought to worry more about their jobs than mine.”

Brown looks at the retirement rumors from another angle

Although an approach like this by the other coaches could be viewed as an insult, Brown actually considers this a compliment after reflecting on it. The way he sees it, if the opposing coaches weren’t worried about his ability to recruit, they wouldn’t be talking about him:

“Then I thought, it’s probably the best compliment I could ever have that they want me to quit. So, I wanna thank them. I’m publicly thanking all of you who are saying I’m gonna quit because it’s a great compliment.

“I’m in better shape than I’ve been in 20 years; I’m working harder than I’ve been in 20 years; I’m really excited about where this program is and where it can go. And I sure wouldn’t be sitting in on Sunday afternoon talking to an unofficial visual visit of a guy from the class of 26 if I was planning on quitting. So no, I’m not planning on quitting.”

The Tar Heels head coach has been around for quite some time; since 1973, when he got his first coaching opportunity with the Florida State Seminoles. But as of right now, he has no intention to call it a coaching career just yet. And the coaches telling recruits that he is, it is likely playing into his recruiting pitch. But even more so, it is a great compliment to him, and he thanks those who have continued to forecast his retirement from the bottom of his heart.