Those two days just flew by, didn’t they?
Shortly after a report surfaced that a decision on Mack Brown‘s future at Texas would come in the next 48 hours, it appears the decision has already been made. Citing two high-level sources, Orangebloods.com‘s Chip Brown is reporting that Brown has decided to step down as the Longhorns’ head coach after 16 seasons. An official announcement from Brown and the school is expected before the end of the week.
One source intimated to the Rivals.com website that it was Brown’s love of the football program he was largely responsible for rebuilding that led to his decision.
“Mack Brown loves Texas and wants what’s in the best interest of Texas and what’s in the best interest of Mack Brown,” the source told the site. “I don’t think it’s been an easy decision. But he doesn’t want negativity around the program he helped unify.”
If the report is accurate -- and Chip Brown is one of the best in the business when it comes to UT football -- it will bring to an a decade-and-a-half run for Brown in Austin... and will also cause a ripple effect to roll through the college football landscape as top-tier coaches trip over themselves to fill the coaching void with the Longhorns.
There’s little doubt UT would make yet another run at Alabama’s Nick Saban. Outside of Saban -- and/or his wife -- making a surprise move out of Tuscaloosa, anyone from Jimbo Fisher to Art Briles to Kevin Sumlin to David Shaw to Jon Gruden (sorry, federal law dictates Chucky’s name be mentioned) will likely be connected to the opening in some shape or fashion.
Given the obscene financial wherewithal the UT athletic department possesses and the prestige the job holds, there should be no shortage of candidates champing at the bit to take over the reins from Brown.
UPDATED 3:03 p.m. ET: The university has denied the report that Mack Brown has decided to take his leave as the Longhorns’ head coach.
To put this denial into perspective, however, Chip Brown reported back in mid-September that DeLoss Dodds would be stepping down as UT’s athletic director; the school and Dodds vehemently denied the report. Two weeks later, Dodds announced he would be stepping down as UT’s athletic director.
