AUSTIN, Texas — Mack Brown, the Texas football coach who led the Longhorns to the 2005 national title and ranks second at the school in career victories, is stepping down after 16 seasons.
In a statement released by the school Saturday night, the coach who was brought to Texas to revive a dormant program in 1997 acknowledged it was time for a change after a 30-20 record, including 18-17 in the Big 12, over the last four seasons.
Texas went 8-4 this season and lost the Big 12 title to Baylor in the final game of the regular season. The 62-year-old Brown will finish his Texas career in the Alamo Bowl against Oregon on Dec. 30.
“It’s been a wonderful ride. Now, the program is again being pulled in different directions, and I think the time is right for a change,” Brown said. “I love the University of Texas, all of its supporters, the great fans and everyone that played and coached here … It is the best coaching job and the premier football program in America.
“I sincerely want to get back to the top and that’s why I’m stepping down after the bowl game. I hope with some new energy, we can get this thing rolling again,” Brown said.
Brown led the Longhorns through a run of dominance from 2001-09 when the Texas went 101-16, won two Big 12 titles and twice played for the national championship.
He has 158 victories at Texas, No. 2 behind the late Darrell Royal, who won 167 in 20 seasons with the Longhorns. Brown is 244-121-1 overall in 29 years as a head coach.
“This is a very difficult day for everyone in the University of Texas family,” Texas President Bill Powers said. “Mack Brown is one of the best football coaches in the country.”
The school scheduled a news conference today for Brown, and to discuss a search for his replacement to take over after the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
Brown’ only losing season at Texas was in 2010, when the Longhorns fell to 5-7 after playing for the 2009 season national championship. But Brown’s inability to win more Big 12 championships — Oklahoma won or shared eight league titles from 2000-12 — and four straight years of at least four losses fractured the fan base and prompted calls for his departure.
Brown was considered the perfect fit at Texas when the Longhorns hired him to replace the divisive John Mackovic. The affable Brown immediately won over Longhorns fans at his introductory news conference when he flashed the traditional “Hook’em Horns” sign and urged fans to “come early, be loud and stay late.”
Brown did what no Texas coach had been able to do for 20 years: Unite a fan base that had been split since Royal left after the 1976 season. Brown embraced Royal’s legacy to help win over fans aching a return to glory, and just as important, he embraced Texas high school football coaches, immediately establishing a talent pipeline from Texas’ rich recruiting fields straight into Austin.
“Sally and I were brought to Texas 16 years ago to pull together a football program that was divided. With a lot of passion, hard work and determination from the kids, coaches and staff, we did that,” Brown said. “We built a strong football family, reached great heights and accomplished a lot, and for that, I thank everyone.”
Navy 34, Army 7
PHILADELPHIA — Keenan Reynolds ran through steady snow and swirling wind into the NCAA record book and Navy beat Army on Saturday for its 12th consecutive victory in the series.
Reynolds scored on touchdown runs of 47 yards, 11 yards and 1 yard. The sophomore has 29 rushing touchdowns, breaking the single-season mark for a quarterback previously held by Ricky Dobbs (Navy, 2009) and Collin Klein (Kansas State, 2011), both of whom had 27.
Reynolds ran 30 times for 136 yards on a frozen, snow-covered field. He also caught a 2-point conversion pass on a trick play following his second touchdown.
Navy (8-4) won the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy for the second consecutive season and ninth time in 11 years. The trophy is awarded to the service academy with the most victories in games between Navy, Army and Air Force.
The Midshipmen haven’t lost to Army (3-9) since 2001 and lead the series 58-49-7. Navy’s 12-game run is the longest in the history of the rivalry that began in 1890.
By wire sources