Last Saturday Mack Brown resigned as the head football coach of the University of Texas. There had been speculation on what he would do in media and alumni circles since the loss to Baylor.
Brown’s tenure spans 16 years (1998-2013). His winning record was stronger at its inception than at the end of his career, though. Overall, Brown’s 158-47 record at Texas is second only to the legendary Darrell Royal (167-47-5).
Money was never an issue at Texas. In 1997 football had revenues over $21 million for the program. By 2012 revenues exceeded $110 million. Brown has enjoyed that prosperity by making $5.45 million his final season.
The word is that pressure was the culprit that led to Brown’s resignation. Yet at least publicly, he enjoyed the support of UT President Bill Powers and recently arrived Athletic Director Steve Patterson.
Brown said that it was time to move on. But he won’t be moving far with a $500,000 salary as special assistant to Powers through 2020.
With Brown’s announcement there was an avalanche of accolades from folks like Oklahoma’s Bob Stoop, who called him a fine coach.
Brown said there were no hard feelings. But he must have been disappointed to feel the pressure so intensely to leave after being the coach of a college that had more wins in the 2000’s than any other school with the exception of Boise State.
Who will succeed Brown? There is much speculation. Everyone from Ohio State’s Urban Meyer to Texas’ arch rival Coach Art Briles at Baylor. Whoever it is, the answer will come soon. Probably right after the Valero Alamo Bowl game against Oregon December 30.
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