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USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Mack Brown reflects on Texas tenure: ‘We Got Tired' after 16 years leading Longhorns
Mack Brown reflects on Texas tenure: 'We Got Tired' after 16 years leading Longhorns Brown described the period as 'a long time at a place like Texas.' With Mack Brown officially entering retirement, presumably for good this time, he's embracing a new chapter as an analyst and podcast guest, reflecting openly on the highs and lows of his storied career. The 73-year-old has appeared on several podcasts and shows since announcing his retirement from coaching earlier this year. In a recent episode of the "See Ball Get Ball" podcast with former ESPN analyst David Pollack, Brown shared candid insights about his time at Texas and the burnout he experienced before leaving the Longhorns in 2013. 'We got tired at Texas. Sixteen years is a long time at a place like Texas,' Brown said. 'Sally [his wife] always said it's four presidential terms. So that's a long time to be at the University of Texas, so it was probably time for me to leave there and for them to get somebody else new, because you get worn down.' After departing Texas, Brown transitioned to television, working as an analyst for ESPN and ABC. He quickly found comfort in his new role, traveling for games and studio shows. 'I was with you, with TV, and I really liked it,' Brown told Pollack. 'I enjoyed having a team again. I loved, I was probably crazy, I would go Friday night and do a game or Thursday night, and then get up at 4 in the morning, fly to Bristol, do ABC Countdown to Kickoff all day, then do SportsCenter on Sunday morning before we'd come home. But I loved that.' Brown emphasized his enduring passion for football and the relationships the sport fostered. 'I loved the game. I loved the coaches. I loved the kids that played the game. And that's really, really important to me, and it's what I want to continue to do, stay involved,' he said. Despite enjoying his time in broadcasting, Brown realized he wasn't ready to leave coaching behind for good. When North Carolina called in 2018, the decision to return was natural for Brown and his family, who have deep ties to Chapel Hill. 'Sally and I thought we'll only go to a place where we would want to live and we would only go back to a place where we thought we could win within the rules. And North Carolina, we got married there, our kids grew up there. They went to school at North Carolina, some of them. So it was a natural when they called us and asked us to come back,' Brown said. Brown saw the Tar Heels' struggling program as an opportunity to make a difference. 'I like fixing things, and the program was in a mess,' he said. 'They'd won three games two years before. They'd won two games the year before. Nobody was coming to the games. It was really sad to sit there at ESPN and even watch. … You get into coaching because you can change lives. And that's what's so important. And people forget that.' Brown's return to North Carolina revitalized the program, leading the Tar Heels to multiple bowl games and national relevance. Now, as he settles into his analyst role once more, Brown remains committed to staying close to the game, though he is uncertain what the future holds. 'I want to continue to be involved,' he said. 'That's what's really important to me.' With Texas's history of welcoming back legends in advisory roles — like Gary Patterson and Vince Young — speculation has swirled about a possible return for Brown in a special assistant or ambassador capacity. Brown previously held such a role at Texas after stepping down as head coach in 2013, serving as a trusted voice and ambassador for the Longhorns. A return could benefit both parties: Texas would gain a respected figure to connect with alumni and boosters, while Brown could stay involved with the sport he loves, minus the grind of coaching. At 73, it could be the perfect way for Brown to remain part of Longhorn Nation and be apart of the program's future. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
David Pollack Weighs in as Iconic College Football Rivalry Faces Uncertain Future
One of the reasons college football has gained popularity over the years is its historic rivalries. Whether it's Oklahoma vs. Texas, Ohio State vs. Michigan, USC vs. Notre Dame or Auburn vs. Alabama, fans eagerly gather around their televisions to watch these exciting games. However, as the sport evolves, some iconic matchups are disappearing. For instance, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State no longer compete against each other after Oklahoma moved to the SEC. Similarly, Texas and Texas A&M took a break from their rivalry when the Aggies joined the SEC, but they renewed their matchup when Texas joined the conference before last season. Another rivalry may be at risk of ending. According to the Los Angeles Times, the future of the USC vs. Notre Dame game is uncertain. Houston Mitchell reported that the contract between the Trojans and Fighting Irish is set to expire. USC officials have extended an offer to Notre Dame in hopes of continuing the historic series for at least one more season, through the fall of 2026. Mitchell believes the future of this rivalry, beyond that point, largely depends on the format of the College Football Playoff, specifically the number of automatic qualifiers guaranteed to the Big Ten in future playoff fields. Until these questions are resolved, USC leaders agree that the best approach for their century-old rivalry with Notre Dame is to continue their arrangement on a year-by-year basis. On the podcast "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack," the former "College GameDay" analyst responded to the possibility of that rivalry ending. "This is what we continue to lose," Pollack said. "We continue to lose rivalries. We continue to lose things you grew up watching that you absolutely loved, that you want to see more of, because it doesn't make sense. How many rivalries have we lost along the way because of that?" Pollack noted that losing these iconic rivalries is, unfortunately, a "cost of doing business" in college football's current era. He explained that those in charge prioritize financial gains over traditional rivalries. He emphasized that the rivalry likely holds more significance for Notre Dame, as the team is not part of a conference and needs to schedule as many high-profile opponents as possible. Nonetheless, it's disappointing to lose this game. The Fighting Irish hold a 50-37-5 advantage in their all-time series. Aside from the cancellation during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the last time the two teams did not play each other was in 1945, when they took a multi-year break due to World War II. They are scheduled to face off, possibly for the last time in the foreseeable future, on Oct. 18 in South Bend, Ind., at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Related: David Pollack Names Major College Football Rivalry That Should be Renewed Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
David Pollack Names College Football Powerhouse Who Won't Win 10 Games in 2025
There are nearly 130 days until Week 1 of the 2025 college football season begins. This season is crucial for several teams and their coaches. The Oklahoma Sooners hope to rebound after experiencing another losing season under head coach Brent Venables. Last season, the team finished with a 6-7 record, marking their second consecutive losing season under Venables. In 2022, during Venables' first year as head coach, the Sooners also went 6-7. However, they managed to bounce back in 2023, achieving a 10-3 record. Advertisement In 2024, Oklahoma transitioned to the SEC and ended the season with another 6-7 record. Now, the team is hoping for a recovery similar to that of 2023. David Pollack mentioned on "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack" that he believes Oklahoma will be significantly improved in 2025. Still, he does not expect them to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Jairaj-Imagn Images "I think Oklahoma shoots up," Pollack said. "Like, immediately shoots up and becomes exponentially more competitive. But the problem is the schedule. I don't think they're a team that is going to win 10 games and get to the College Football Playoff." The Sooners are set to look very different in 2025. They fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell during the season and lost starting quarterback Jackson Arnold to the transfer portal at the end of the regular season. This comes after the offense ranked No. 113 in total offense and No. 119 in passing offense. Advertisement Venables replaced Littrell with Ben Arbuckle, the former offensive coordinator at Washington State, who had led the Cougars to the No. 17 offense in the country. Oklahoma also managed to sign Arbuckle's quarterback from Washington State, John Mateer, through the transfer portal. Mateer threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Additionally, he contributed 826 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. The Sooners further bolstered their roster by adding former California Golden Bears running back Jaydn Ott in the spring transfer portal. Although Ott had an injury-riddled 2024 season, finishing with 385 yards and four touchdowns, his performance in the first two seasons prior was impressive, with 2,212 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns combined. He joins an Oklahoma team that hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2022. Despite these changes, the Sooners will once again face a challenging schedule. According to Athlon Sports, Oklahoma has the second-toughest schedule in the sport. The team hopes to navigate this tough slate successfully and rebound, similar to their strong performance in 2023. Related: David Pollack Names Major College Football Coach Facing Make-or-Break Season
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
David Pollack Names College Football Program That's an 'Absolute Disaster'
The 2025 college football season is still a few months away, but teams have already wrapped up their spring practices and are fully focused on the transfer portal. One team that the portal has significantly impacted is the California Golden Bears, who have lost 28 players. Of those, 15 players entered the portal during the spring cycle, including five running backs. Among these running backs was Jaydn Ott, who was arguably their best player. Advertisement In his career, Ott has rushed for 2,597 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. Although he faced injuries during last season, he managed to run for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. He announced that he would be transferring to the Oklahoma Sooners. On his podcast, "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack," college football analyst David Pollack discussed the situation at Cal and the challenges the team is facing. Cal head coach Justin Wilcox talking with an LeClaire-Imagn Images "Cal is a disaster right now," Pollack said. "Like, an absolute disaster. I'll say this: if you've watched Justin Wilcox coach the game of football, the dude is a good coach. Like, Cal has been consistently competitive with way less talent. He's confusing on defense. Always develops no-name guys and plays good defense. Plays a good brand of physical ball." Advertisement The Golden Bears have not had a winning season since 2019, when they finished with an 8-5 record. While they have participated in bowl games in the last two years, they lost both games, ending those seasons with 6-7 records. Since 2010, Cal has recorded only four winning seasons, indicating a lack of success over the past decade. Although the program hopes to turn things around in 2025, recent player losses to the transfer portal have made this goal more challenging. The Golden Bears have brought in 22 new players, but they currently rank No. 40 in the transfer portal team rankings and No. 69 in recruiting rankings. As a result, it does not appear that conditions will improve for the upcoming season. Cal begins the year with a game against the Oregon State Beavers on August 30. Related: Historic College Football Program Emerges As Favorite For 2,500-Yard Transfer RB
