Mack Brown congratulates Colt McCoy on his NFL retirement, move to broadcasting

There’s no doubt to Mack Brown that Colt McCoy is one of the greatest players he ever coached. McCoy was the starting quarterback at Texas from 2006-09, taking the Longhorns as far as an appearance the BCS national title game in his senior year.

He then went on to be drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft and enjoyed a 13-year pro career, starting 36 of 56 games he appeared in for five different teams. He last played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and on Monday announced his official retirement from football.

Brown offered his congratulations to McCoy via a statement to Texas beat writer Brian Davis, wishing him well in the next chapter of his life.

“Colt is one of the best players I’ve had the privilege of coaching, but he’s also one of the finest people I’ve ever been around,” Brown said. “He does everything with so much passion and class, and Sally and I are so fortunate that he and his family are in our lives.

“I want to congratulate him on a wonderful career and wish him nothing but the best as he moves to the announcers’ booth. It’ll be really fun hearing him call games. He’ll provide great insight, particularly in games like the Nebraska-Colorado game since he had some great memories against those two teams.”

McCoy is the all-time wins leader in NCAA Division I football history with 45 career victories. That included leading the Longhorns to a 12-0 regular season record in the 2009 season. Texas won the Big 12 Championship that season on a last-second field goal to beat Nebraska by a score of 13-12.

Colt McCoy still ranks as the school’s career passing leader with 13,253 yards and 112 touchdowns to 45 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,571 yards and 20 touchdowns and was a two-time finalist for the Heisman.

The quarterback began his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns and started 21 games for the team over his first two seasons. His best year came in 2011 when he threw for 2,733 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

McCoy was demoted to backup the following season in favor of Brandon Weeden and traded the following year. He still made a long career as a backup with the 49ers, Washington, Giants and Cardinals.

Now he is set to join NBC, where he will serve as game analyst for the network’s Big Ten football coverage this season. He will also make appearances on the Big Ten College Countdown studio show.

McCoy’s broadcasting debut will be for a game between Nebraska and Colorado at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 7. In addition to NBC, the game can also be streamed on Peacock.