The First 48 Hours of Mack 2.0
Henceforth, if I EVER type the phrase “Mack Is Back”… JUST SHOOT ME. For seven years I never did one single play on words about “Fedora / Hat” which put me in a minority of one. Saying what everyone else says the way everyone else says it is not what I do here.
###
Is there a Richter Scale for a Media Tsunami? If so, what did UNC Rehires Mack Brown register? Really High!
The backwash from the initial announcement of Mack’s Return is still splashing about along the highways and byways in a 100-mile concentric circle from the intersection of I-40 and Miami Boulevard…. “Ground Zero” for 97% of the human race that “might” spell Doeren or Cutcliffe correctly or know (or care) “How many Choos in Choo Choo”.
I still bet The Butcher doesn’t know or care. Larry Fedora never bothered to ask “how many Choos” either.
I’m sure Mack knows how many. The answer, of course, is “2”. Has Mack (or Sally) ever read Look Homeward Angel? Who has?
Some sports guy with WRAL – not named Adam or Joe or Jeff – wrote a fine piece about Why Larry Fedora Is Gone… noting it was NOT one reason but a camel’s back load of reasons. I agree. What was “the straw” that broke that camel’s back? It might have been The Nightmare In Dowdy-Ficklin back in early September on top of “Shoe-gate”… on top of “CTE-gate”… on top of…?
Doesn’t matter… he’s gone. Larry never “fit” at UNC.
I’m not sure what “a good fit for UNC” means or if that is a desired term to strive for.
Bill Dooley was not… Dick Crum was not… “Burly John” almost was, but wasn’t… The Butcher was not… Fedora was not. No clue about Carl Snavley. “Sunny Jim” Tatum was not as good a fit as “legend has it” but “tragic death” has a way of distorting reality. See “Valvano, Jim”…
“Saint Dean” was THE 110% PERFECT FIT for UNC. UNC alums/fans loved and mythologized(?) DES for his decades of on-court successes. UNC faculty loved him because he could spell Nietzsche and recruited Charlie Scott away from Lefty Driesell at the 11th hour.
Ol’ Roy “fits” because he has a death grip on Dean’s coattails despite having no clue who/what Nietzsche was. … or who Julius Nyang’oro or Deborah Crowder are either. … wink, wink.
Mack doesn’t know Nietzsche either; but, if you asked him he will divert the conversation into a 10-minute series of sappy Mack-isms during which he will use your name at least three times. When he stops to take a breath, you will have forgotten your question and be convinced Mack is your BFF.
That is a rare talent and Mack Brown is a Grand Master of It.
No one knows Mack’s politics that I know of. And he (Mack) is crafty enough that we’re never gonna know, which is “the smart play”.
Unlike all of those other UNC HFCs, Mack understands the local rivalry minefield. Bunting understood it but was not media-savvy enough to handle it. The Butcher and Fedora had both been in “Real Football Rivalries” so neither of them gave the local State / Duke / UNC stuff much importance. They should have…
.
“When in Rome…” it is very important to appreciate the Romans REALLY hate the Carthaginians so you need to REALLY hate the Carthaginians too.
The Visigoths are hated too… but not as much as those sorry, no-account Carthaginians.
.
Mack gets it. Mack knows how the local Braggin’ Rights silliness works. It isn’t Texas vs Oklahoma, but this isn’t Texas either.
I assume all of you reading this – regardless of school loyalty – know that:
Mack Brown and Dave Doeren have the same “agent”. No, not Jimma Sexton. His name is Jordan Bazant.
“Having the same agent” doesn’t mean “squat”. 99% of the rivalry feces that get thrown back & forth doesn’t mean “squat”. Add Jordan Bazant to that pile of “squat”.
OK. Lets hit the Two Key Points that EVERYONE around these parts is obsessed with over the past 48 hours…
.
Mack’s Age… By his first Kenan “Jr” game next September, Mack will be 68. Roy is 68… Nick Saban is 67…Krzyzewski is 71… Cutcliffe is 64… “The Butcher” is 67… Justice Ruth Buzzi Ginsberg is 85. Noah’s Grandfather Methusalah lived to be 969 if one takes the Old Testament literally.
If they haven’t already, NC State recruiters will soon be Tweeting, Texting, Facebooking and Instragraming every High School (and Jr Hi just to be sure) football player in North Carolina that (1) MACK BROWN IS FREAKIN’ 68 YEARS OLD… (2) MACK BROWN will be reretired, if not dead and buried, within 2-3 years… (3) MACK BROWN uses a flip phone and thinks “rap” is what you do to Christmas presents… and (4) … and (5) … I probably would be doing that if I was them.
Refer to my Fred & Ethel column for Fred’s theory on how “those eeeevil State people used TGU against Larry”…. yawn.
.
Mack Brown IS 20 years older than he was when “he lied to ‘dem boys” and ran off to Texas. That’s a fact. He does NOT use that Industrial-strength “Just For Men” that Coach K uses.
When Mack “lied and left” 20 years ago, area “hated rival fans” disliked him a lot. 20 years later their “Mack jokes” haven’t changed as much as Mack’s hair color. To no ones surprise.
.
Five years ago when Mack resigned at Texas he was 63… but looked 75. The stress of that situation showed in every aspect of his physical appearance. He seems to have “recharged his batteries” since then, and now “looks about 67”.
I look for Mack to create a unique CEO role for himself… using the organizational and executive staff management skills he has always been noted for… and, of course, his renown booster backslapping and shmoozing talents.
Those shmoozing talents get poo-pooed by hated-rival fans who have never been a major college FB / MBB coach. But highly valued by anyone who has been or is.
###
His Staff … The rumors are rampant re: who will be DC, OC, etc etc etc. I haven’t seen Steve Logan’s name yet but surely he’s on some loonie’s “I heard that ….” list. I expect one/both Coordinators to be well-known among those who know such people… either former HCs or Established Gurus.
The rest of the staff to be guys who played for, coached for, or otherwise Mack has known. The $$$ to pay them “is NOT an issue”. One of them MIGHT be designated Asst Head Coach or even designated Heir Apparent… but that might not be revealed for a year or so.
All of Mack’s staff will (1) use state-of-the-art techno-devices and… (2) all of them will “tweet & text”… and (3) be able to name at least three “famous rappers”. The fine art of Recruiting 2018 will be well-known to those assigned to do it. They will be as “savvy” in their tactics as the coaches they are recruiting against.
No current Big Name Coach regardless of age is any better than his meat-on-the-hoof… i.e. the depth of the talent on his roster.
If Mack can construct, delegate and maintain that CEO role, he could easily “do it” with success for 6-7-8+ years, but more likely 5-6 before stepping aside for that Heir Apparent.
Five years from now will be 2023. How many current Triangle-area HFCs and/or ACC HFCs will be in their current positions in 2023 ???
###
Defining “Success”… 5-6 Ws in 2019 would be “nice”. More will be “nicer”. Ws over “hated rivals” count double. 7-8-9 Ws by 2020 … will be expected with Ws over one/both “hated rivals” strongly advised.
Will Mack 2.0 Awaken The Sleeping Giant? IF that means… draw 40,000+ to Kenan Jr in nice weather versus a “name opponent” then Yes.
If that means… “cause Dabo to lose sleep wondering what Mack is up to”… then No.
In Conclusion: Would “that guy at Appy”… or “the guy at Memphis” … or “Hotshot Coordinator at …” … or “Whozit at Troy”… be better suited than Mack Brown to lead UNC Football for the foreseeable 5+-year future ? I don’t think so.
After all…
Mack Brown already knows how many Choos in Choo Choo… and Sally will buy him a copy of Look Homeward Angel to place prominently in his office… right next to that brand new fish tank.
Will Mack be clever enough to keep that copy of Wolfe’s Look Homeward Angel opened to the classic line… “You Can’t Go Home Again.” … OUCH!
##
Want some highly partisan political opinions.
Check out Deep Thoughts & Awesome Tweets.
.
Shouldn’t this column be titled The Carolina Way 2.0 Returns or TGU Rides Again? What are the odds (over/under) of major NCAA violations within next 3-5 years? Perhaps Mueller can start investigating the Flagship in 2019 since his current gig is about to wrap it up …
Mack Brown was never a co-conspirator in TGU, nor was he ever linked w/ NCAA violations at Texas; but the enduring legacy of TGU is that hated rivals will keep it ALIVE for a minimum of 50 years. Fair enough…
I will define success.
Mack I need you to never lose at home to State, and win at least half of the time at Carter Finley.
You can never ever ever lose to DOOK EVER.
Now for the rest of the schedule. No blowout loses and win enough to go to a bowl game ever year.
You do that and the job is yours forever.
Larry thought beating FSU and Miami would impress us. Well it did but it was soon forgotten as soon as he lost to the neighbors every damn time.
No question that annual Ls to State and Duke were the sledge hammer factors. Those combined with ongoing thugs issues.
.
Mack knows the major pitfalls to avoid. He will need the talent to avoid those traps.
BL,
The NCAA record for a team playing three consecutive games that resulted in the termination of a coach, within one week of the game has been surpassed….. State will have a solid Ripley’s record.
.
This was noted and researched within 2 hours of Scotty’s announcement.
.
AD Yow will ask Bubba if we can consult with the UNC “Banner Text Writer” for the Dean Dome to come up with a suitable Plaque for CF.
.
Will wait to see if we are 3 – 0 before ordering.
.
Dabo can’t even come close here….
All records are made to be broken ….. except Cy Young’s of course.
YIKES!!! …. Longtime BL amigo – Little Ricky Packard – Head Honcho of LRP Trivial Research Group LLC. has discovered the following AMAZIN’ FACT…
.
NCSU’s last 3 games, including ECU tomorrow:
.
Louisville: Petrino fired during the week of the game
UNC: Fedora fired the day after the game
ECU: Montgomery fired 4 days before the game
.
Means nothing, but interesting. Coach of next NCSU opponent take note…
“Crossing the Rubicon” ?? The difference is (or was) that Caesar was ‘crossing the Rubicon’ in defiance of the Roman Senate. Hence, the subsequent Roman Civil War which propelled Caesar from Governor of one province to Emperor. Whereas Mack Brown is being welcomed as a returning hero by the PTB in Chapel Hill and, seemingly, most Tar Heel fans. The phrase — ‘crossing the rubicon’ — connotes some risky decision or course of action which once it is made can’t be undone. There’s no serious opposition to Mack Brown returning as UNC’s football coach and I can’t see what real… Read more »
All correct points. “CTR” usually means “a dramatic symbolic gesture” that once made sets in motion all sorts of significant responses. True that MB is not striding boldly into unfriendly territory daring his enemies to challenge him… unless MB’s Roman Senate is NC State…
FWIW… I have been told by a “deep ECU insider” that …
.
It was Scottie Montgomery’s choice NOT to coach the final game.
.
Scottie was told Wed by “whoever was in charge at ECU on Wed” that he was “toast” (to absolutely no one’s surprise) and HE decided to make it immediate. ECU’s first target is Mike Houston (James Madison) who is being wooed by UNC-Charlotte.
Are fans in the Triangle neighborhood really content with 7-5 8-4 seasons and just beating a hated rival every year or so? Does it ever suddenly dawn on fans that “we’re stuck with our coach and average record” or getting to Shreveport occasionally, especially if the hated rival is bowling in tropical locations? Fan envy is like that pesky neighbor who suddenly gets cosmetic surgery, buys a luxury sports car, builds a new addition, adds a swimming pool, starts vacationing in The Bahamas, or heaven forbid moves ITB. Keeping up with the Jones’ is OK as long as they don’t… Read more »
Your treatise starts out “… fans in the Triangle really content with…”. Anything after that phrase is irrelevant. . Lets break that down by… Duke FB fans (ever how “not many” there are) are likely content with 6-7 W’s and a 3rd tier bowl anywhere… and owning The Victory Bell 3 out of 5 years. So long as Cut fogs a mirror that is reasonable. Duke, like WFU, will never have enough roster depth to be competitive over 12 games. . Surely there are reasonable level-head factions within both NCSU and UNC fan bases fine with 7-8-9 Ws and whuppin’… Read more »
Non-political, non-sport fodder, just about the ‘Sophisticates’.
https://www.barstoolsports.com/dmv/payless-sold-20-shoes-for-600-at-a-new-store-palessi-to-trick-asshole-influencers?fbclid=IwAR3Il0IzepWv9mHIyLNKFJyvJIIR9GEbgmp-NuG9AOHBb-WtjYwcCxzlEbU&_branch_match_id=472152493724693675
Thomas Wolfe knew Micki K? The things I learn here!
You have been reading this incredible website waaaaay too long! 🙂
.
Apparently there is/was more than one whorehouse in Derm. Thom’s choice was run by a large AfAm woman if memory serves me specializing in “The Jelly Roll”. Micki’s catered to a different clientele.
I only read Look Homeward Angel but apparently Thomas was frequent visitor to houses of ill repute in Durham, Raleigh and Salisbury. I think he wrote about one in Paris.
I think you are right about Mack being a good choice at this stage.
All of the UNC level-heads I “trust” are very pleased with the choice… and eager to see the staff he assembles.
Need someone to compile the NCAA data base records.
Is THIS a new record for a single NCAA FB season?
Three ( 3 ) NCAA FB games where coaches have been recently fired.
Two ( 2 ) NCAA FB games where an interim coach was in charge.
If so, we, the Wolf Pack, might start hanging banners….ala a certain rival’s penchant to fill the rafters.
If it is a record, it will fall within a year.
Actually, You Can’t Go Home Again was another book by Wolfe rather than a line in Look Homeward Angel. But Mack apparently can. Mack might want to think about what Heraclitus said about the impossibility of stepping into the same river twice. Got me thinking about the CEO style of college coaching. Typically those type coaches are dependent on the assistants and coordinators for success. His hires will be interesting.
I think that is the game plan. … My knowledge of The Works of Thomas Wolfe is severely limited. Wasn’t there a Durham WhoreHouse prominent in one of his books?
Scotty Montgomery was fired today and will not coach against the Wolfpack Saturday. Does Mack need a OC?
No surprise. Likely a case of Peter Principle… one level above his competency level. He can go back to making a very nice living as a Coordinator somewhere. I’m sure D Cutcliffe will make a few calls on his behalf.
This might be your greatest overall blog yet, especially considering the intelligent responses and the Brown subject mater. . Thanks also to NCSU69 for the real insight into the Maryland situation as well as snippets from the Louisville situation. . I’ll take Porgy’s tickets for Saturday and don’t think it’s a bust (unless ECU rallies strongly in their bowl game or save-a-coach game. . Was down in Austin when Brown was riding high at Texas, and State beat the Longhorns on two late blocked punts. Even did a photo essay which I presented to Chancellor Fox and our promoted quarterback… Read more »
Agreed… This OMG situation is pretty much IDEAL for the type of discussion I try to promote here. Several mega-leaps above the standard board monkey rant-a-thons. . I intend to devote a full upcoming column to ’68’s points about the MD AD and how guys with “baggage” keep getting hired and keep doing what they were doing. There are a handful of such situations in “several local institutions” over the past 10-15 years. . Linking Mack to Dean’s Eligibility Scam was 120% predictable. If one takes “it” back to Dean taking over in 1960, the list of co-conspirators REALLY gets… Read more »
I never much cared for the Visigoths myself
Neither did the Huns. And, of course, EVERYBODY hated those damn Mongols!
BL, Enough, by those more enlightened, has been said or will be said at the NEW and REINVENTED MACK 2.0 . I liken it to the genius(s) (who were never PUBLICLY NAMED for their and their family’s protection) that came up and marketed THE NEW COKE. I think that “might be an omen”….but certainly do NOT wish UNC any ill luck. The question is….Is MACK the “Return of the CLASSIC” in that his two replacements – the BUTCHER and the HAT were not well received or is MACK 2.0 the NEW taste, as in Coke. Time and pundits will tell.… Read more »
I had not realized that the MD AD Evans was the same GA AD “panties in his lap in Buckhead”. So the question arises what level of “YOU DID WHAT” should warn future potential employers … “uummm, lets keep on looking”. One would think that dutiful stewards of an image-conscious public institution would be overly-careful hiring “loose cannons w/ baggage” in high profile positions. I am SURE that Damon Evans is NOT uniquely qualified for the MD AD position over 20-30 other candidates without “HE DID WHAT” Baggage. . The glorious mess at Louisville is the ultimate HOW DID WE… Read more »
“Mack Brown has crossed the Rubicon”
It doesn’t quite ‘sing’ the same was as in 49BC.
Since Caesar was indeed “returning to Rome” when he made that symbolic crossing, I think it is an apt comparison. The how many BLSays readers will “get it” is “give or take about 30%” which is 20% higher than most other websites.
LUNATIC ALERT !! …. I know you get tired of me reminding you about the human hairballs, hobgoblins and raging Ho-Has walking among us… but if I don’t tell you, how you gonna know ???
.
Check out Today’s “Winner” from Louisville …
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/11/28/louisvilles-trinity-high-cancels-school-jeff-brohm-decision/2146280002/
I’ve got a couple of tickets to the ECU game Saturday if you’re interested ????. Seems all the folks eager to attend a game with us (kids included) have found something else to do. Seemed like a good idea back in September to schedule another game. Several noon starts, a couple of WTH losses, multiple 2 hr trips to Raleigh have tempered the enthusiasm. The prospect of sitting in CF in a cool rain even has Mrs Wuf Vet making other plans. A warm, dry BBall game (or a refund) sounds like a lot more fun…..
Yes, it was a good idea back in Sept. Kind of anti-climactic now. Hopefully DD can get lots of PT for his back-ups.
Yes, I saw about Mrs. Mock. Do not listen to DG on a regular basis, only when in my car and some controversy involving my Wolfpack or that other school has occurred. I have often wondered how many shoulder surgeries he has had for throwing his arm out patting himself on the back. Story out that Ga Tech will also be in coach search mood
Yes, with Paul Johnson’s retirement we won’t have to read that annual lazy writer’s story about “needing two weeks to prepare for triple option… blah blah…”
After reading and hearing the accounts of the local media concerning the re-hiring of MB, and also the verbage from your radio buddy (you know the one that constantly reminds you that he is a lawyer), I have concluded that I will be saving a considerable amount of money in the coming years. There will be no need to invest in football tickets as my Wolfpack will only be getting those 1* & 2* recruits in the future. All the talent will be headed to Orange County. So why bother. I will follow your lead and watch on the big… Read more »
UNCONFIRMED Report … that Frau Yow asked Bubba if Mack might make an appearance at 1/2 Time of your ECU Game… apparently there are still some tickets left to sell. Thought he might “fill the stadium”.
.
I am entering my 2nd decade of not listening to DG but I know many people do.
.
Assume you saw where Mabel (Mrs Frank) Mock died a few days ago.
what I need to know – will the Carolina Blue ’57 Thunderbird be coming back too?
Ya never know… maybe TEAR DOWN THE BLUE ZONE and Bring Back The Alamo …
Nary a ripple was felt “way down the Mississippi, down in New Orleens” at the anointing of Mr. Brown to lead the “sleeping giant” back to FB glory in Shreveport. Now, if one of the assistants he manages to retain is David Aranda, that will cause not just ripples but an explosion! . On a serious note, I have to believe that any true blue TarHeel remembers “Look Homeward Angel.” Even though it has been over 50 years, I still remember that centerpiece of English 101, the premier freshman flunk out course. I remember, too, the pride with which the… Read more »
HA! I rather doubt Mr Chesterton gets much mention “over yonder”. I doubt Mr Wolfe does either unless it’s the Tom Wolfe that wrote Bonfire of The Vanities and wore a white suit.
.
Aranda makes more $$$ than Mack is getting.
Does anyone in the Triangle media market – NOT in The Murphy Center – even know State plays ECU this Saturday? Talk about sucking all the air out of a media room.
How ironic that DES -unintentionally I think- started TGU and for what became the greatest eligibility scandal in NCAA history. Leaving it to too many wayward disciples and secretaries with not so good intentions to interpret, misuse and distort it. The money paid to big time FB & BB coaches these days is the same for winning or losing. It’s an even better gig for a last stop coach.
No mention of a buy-out in his deal so no long-term worries. My point about “Which area, or ACC, coaches might still be around 5 years from now?” will be worth following.
Brilliant move by Bubba. Risk is relatively low, so long as expectations are kept in check. Price was a bargain for a former P5 coach with a national championship on the resumé. Comments so far are in line with expectation, though I was a little surprised to hear Mack saying “not a rebuild, win now…” That’s NOT the way to manage expectations, imho, but hey, what do I know. . I believe you are absolutely right concerning the modus operandi – Mack will be CEO. The ultimate fate of Bubba’s gamble will depend on two eventualities: . 1) Can Mack… Read more »
I just sent Bubba his copy of “this one”. Noting that, for my selfish purposes, only – Debbie “Don’t Do Lunch” Stroman Having Roy’s Love Child”- could match this in area fan CHAOS! It’s a gift sure to keep on giving…