Mack Brown's firing opens 30-day transfer portal for North Carolina football

North Carolina fired Mack Brown on Tuesday morning, a day after the coach announced he planned to return for the 2025 season. The former Texas head coach and national champion will coach Saturday against NC State in his final game at North Carolina.

With the Tar Heels firing Brown, the 30-day transfer portal will open for North Carolina players just 12 days before the official college football transfer portal opens for business. The December window is shorter than it was a year ago, down to 20 days, meaning North Carolina players will get a jump start.

NCAA rules allow athletes on a team with a coaching change to enter the portal the day after the change. In this case, North Carolina athletes can enter starting Wednesday. Roster retention will be a 1B to finding a successor to Brown. The 73-year-old coach will close out his career with over 250 wins.

In recent weeks Brown was telling recruits and staffers he would be back for the 2025 season. But North Carolina lost 41-21 against Boston College. A source close to the situation in recent days had said that the one thing to watch was how UNC fared in these final games. The BC win was enough for athletic director Bubba Cunningham to fire Brown and head in a different direction.

With the one-time transfer rule, athletes can play immediately at new schools. Plus, multi-time transfers who enter will be eligible to play immediately at a new school in the 2025-26 academic year.

North Carolina Head Coach Hot Board

North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game of the year and can return in 2025 with a medical redshirt. The former Texas A&M quarterback will have to decide if he sticks with the Tar Heels or re-enters the transfer portal. Jacolby Criswell could also return for a sixth season.

North Carolina is currently 6-5 with the final regular season game slated for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against NC State in Chapel Hill.