By Gene Galin
Charlotte, NC – As the college football season approaches, North Carolina’s head coach Mack Brown is laser-focused on addressing past weaknesses and implementing strategic changes to bring the ACC Championship back to Chapel Hill. Speaking during the breakout session at the ACC Football Kickoff, Brown detailed his plans to improve discipline, increase player participation, and foster a resilient team culture.
The Importance of Discipline
Coach Mack Brown has been vocal about the need for increased discipline on and off the field. Reflecting on the previous season’s shortcomings, Brown highlighted the high number of penalties as a critical issue. “We’ve got really smart kids, but why do we have so many penalties? Maybe it’s because we miss an academic session now and then or we’re late to something,” he stated. To combat this, the coaching staff has tightened up every aspect of the team’s regimen.
A leadership committee has been established to enforce discipline within the team. This committee holds players accountable for their actions, ensuring they adhere to the team’s standards. “We’ve gone back and looked at every penalty,” Brown explained. “Most penalties are either holding or pass interference. We’ve said you’ve got to cut out all pre-snap and post-snap penalties. Don’t have any pushing, shoving, late hits, or motion penalties.”
Emphasizing Depth: Playing More Players
One of the key strategies for the upcoming season is to ensure more players get field time, especially to prevent late-season fatigue and injuries. “We play two linebackers who end up playing 900 snaps, and they’re worn out at the end of the year,” Brown noted. The goal is to develop depth across all positions so that the team can sustain performance throughout the season.
This approach also addresses morale and retention. Brown pointed out that backups often transfer due to lack of playing time, which can be mitigated by rotating more players. “You can’t put your starters on special teams because they’re tired, and your special teams aren’t as good,” he said. The plan is to have a robust rotation that keeps players fresh and ready.
The Impact of New Staff: Jeff Collins’ High Energy
Brown’s decision to bring in Jeff Collins as the new defensive coordinator is a testament to his commitment to change. Collins, known for his high-energy coaching style, has already made a significant impact. “Jeff Collins has high energy and pulls everybody together,” Brown said. “He’s had success at the highest levels as a defensive coordinator and did a great job at Temple and Mississippi State.”
Collins’ philosophy is to create a chaotic but disciplined defense. His detailed analysis of the team’s performance and personalized feedback for each player has already started to pay dividends. “He watched every game, knew our players by name, and offered specific improvements for each one,” Brown shared.
Focus on Legacy and Purpose
When asked about his thoughts on legacy and mortality, Brown was clear that his focus remains on the team and their success rather than his personal achievements. “I don’t care about my legacy; it’s already there,” he said. “As long as I’m being effective, having fun, and loving this, I want to keep doing it.”
Brown’s experience and passion for coaching continue to drive him. Despite facing calls to retire after losses, he remains steadfast in his commitment. “As long as I’m healthy, energetic, and having fun, I want to keep coaching,” he emphasized.
The Return of Jacolby Criswell
One of the most notable developments is the return of quarterback Jacolby Criswell. After initially transferring, Criswell has decided to come back to North Carolina. Brown recounted the process: “We started hearing that Jacolby would be interested in coming back. When he was in the portal, we called, and he said absolutely.”
Criswell’s return adds depth to the quarterback position, which Brown sees as a significant advantage. “We’ve got three quarterbacks, and all three can play. What we’ve got to do is a great job of separating them between now and game time to make sure we get the right one on the field.”
Navigating Quarterback Competition
The quarterback competition is one of the biggest challenges for the coaching staff. With Criswell, Conner Harrell, and Drake Maye all vying for the starting position, the coaching staff must carefully evaluate each player. “We’ve got to put them in as many game-type situations as we can,” Brown said. “Every day we have to tell them what they need to improve on.”
While the risk of losing a quarterback to the transfer portal is real, the new rules mean that players can’t transfer until December, giving the coaching staff time to make the best decision for the team.
Improving Special Teams and Defense
Another area of focus is the special teams and defense, which have been inconsistent in recent seasons. Brown believes that playing more players will help improve performance in these areas. “We’ve been inconsistent at best on defense and special teams,” he admitted. “I feel like we’re going to be better on both of those fronts.”
Brown is particularly excited about the new additions to the offensive line and the potential impact of running back Omarion Hampton. “Great running backs make offensive linemen better,” he said. “Omarion can catch, block, and run. He’s very unselfish.”
The Challenge of Expectations
Handling expectations has been a challenge for North Carolina. Brown acknowledged that the team has struggled with this in the past. “We’ve got to get where we need to go and then win when we get there to expect us to be good enough to be there,” he said.
The pressure of high expectations can affect performance, but Brown remains optimistic. “I love the kids, the game, and the excitement of the season,” he shared. “I want to help college football and Carolina while we’re going through these transitions.”
Eyes on the Championship
As the season approaches, Coach Mack Brown’s emphasis on discipline, depth, and strategic planning aims to position North Carolina for success. With a renewed focus on playing more players, tightening up discipline, and leveraging the expertise of new staff like Jeff Collins, Brown is determined to overcome the hurdles that have held the team back.
“Our goal is to win a championship,” Brown declared. “It’s there for us to do, and I’m excited about fixing the issues that have kept us from achieving it.”
Watch video on YouTube –Carolina Coach Mack Brown at breakout session at ACC Football Kickoff – 7.26.24
Coach Mack Brown Emphasizes Discipline and Player Rotation for Improved Performance in Upcoming Season
00:13 Focus on discipline and playing more players
Emphasizing discipline by correcting penalties and teaching players to limit holding and post-snap penalties.
Need to play more players to prevent fatigue and injuries, and improve overall team performance.
02:59 Coach Mack Brown values impact over legacy
He emphasizes creating chaos with simple strategies for player development and game execution
He shows leadership by focusing on the present, remaining effective, and staying passionate about coaching
05:33 Maintain uncertainty about future coaching plans
Emphasizing the importance of not ruling out coaching again due to unpredictable circumstances and recruitment concerns
Prioritizing recruiting efforts based on commitment, finances through NIL deals, maintaining energy and experience in coaching
08:10 Managing quarterback competition with three potential starters
Coaching challenge: Setting clear criteria for selecting the starter and providing daily feedback on performance.
Impact of transfer portal rules: Players need to stick it out until December before considering transferring.
10:45 Coach Brown is excited about fixing issues and improving team depth.
Coach Brown sees improvement in Caleb Hood’s game and believes in the potential of the running backs, including Caleb Good, Darwin Barlow, and Davantre Love.
Coach Brown emphasizes the need for consistency and improvement in defense and kicking game, as well as in supporting the quarterbacks.
13:37 Managing player rotations for improved performance
End-of-season performance improvement priority
Adding quality transfers and impact of a star running back
16:14 Adding depth and strength to the team.
Recruiting bigger and stronger players to enhance team depth and versatility.
Staying in touch with alumni players and finding joy in maintaining relationships with them.
18:46 Coach Mack Brown’s motivation and commitment to the game and his players.
Coach Brown’s dedication is fueled by his love for the kids and the game, as well as his desire to help college football.
He plans to attend the induction of Julius Peppers into the College Football Hall of Fame and emphasizes the importance of Peppers’ influence on the current players.
21:22 Focus on quarterback dynamics and team pressure
Emphasizing the impact of quarterback play on offense and the need to spread the field with good receivers and tight ends.
Addressing the team pressure beyond just quarterback performance and emphasizing the need to meet high expectations.
23:52 Priority on winning a championship for recognition.
Discussing the growth of player Jordan Ship and others in the team.
Concerns and uncertainties regarding playoff expansion and scholarship implications.
26:43 Increased competition for scholarships in the future
Due to the difficulty of getting 100 good players on scholarship, there will be increased competition for limited spots.
The additional 15-20 players on scholarship will have higher expectations to play compared to the rest.