Who will lead the Tar Heels in 2025?
Big news hit the world of college football, and it wasn’t what many anticipated. Earlier this week, it was announced that North Carolina head coach Mack Brown would postpone his retirement and return to the sidelines for the Tar Heels in 2025. However, things took a turn.
On Tuesday morning, UNC broke the news that they had decided to let Brown go, effectively making the decision for him. He will coach the team for their final game against NC State, but it’s uncertain whether he will remain for the bowl game.
With the Early Signing Period approaching on December 4 and the transfer portal opening soon, UNC needs to begin searching for potential replacements for Brown immediately. Here are three candidates that come to mind:
3. Tulane HC Jon Sumrall
To kick things off, we need to highlight Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, who has done an outstanding job with the Green Wave this season. Tulane has caught many off guard, boasting a 9-2 record. Thanks to Sumrall’s contributions, the Green Wave are currently ranked No. 20 in the nation.
Apart from losses to Oklahoma and Kansas State, Tulane has performed impressively on both offense and defense, with the offense often scoring at will. Sumrall has demonstrated his ability to revitalize a program, making him a potentially smart hire for UNC if they decide to pursue him.
2. UTSA HC Jeff Traylor
Another veteran coach worth considering is Jeff Traylor of UTSA. Traylor took the helm at UTSA in 2020, having previously served as an assistant at Texas, SMU, and Arkansas. With a recent win over Temple, UTSA is currently 6-5 for the season.
Achieving six wins means that UTSA is bowl eligible for the fifth consecutive year. Traylor has done an impressive job with the Roadrunners, boasting a 45-19 record as their head coach in San Antonio. While he may not be seen as a ‘splash hire’ for the Tar Heels, like Sumrall, Traylor has a proven track record of winning wherever he coaches.
1. Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki
This move could be the “splash” everyone has been anticipating. Andy Kotelnicki is gaining recognition in coaching circles for his impressive work at Penn State. James Franklin is fortunate to have him, but it’s clear that Kotelnicki is destined to take the reins of his own program eventually.
That program might very well be in North Carolina. As an offensive mastermind, he has showcased the Penn State offense brilliantly in 2024. The Nittany Lions are currently ranked No. 4 in the country and are eyeing a spot in the College Football Playoff. While the team remains focused on finishing the season strong, it wouldn’t be surprising to see an interview request from UNC for Kotelnicki in the near future.
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