Former Texas coach Mack Brown enjoying ESPN gig, but has not closed door on coaching again
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mack Brown is enjoying the television gig that keeps him involved in football, but has not closed the door on coaching.
The former Texas coach and current ESPN college football analyst seems relaxed and at ease 10 1/2 months after his resignation from the Longhorns.
"Well, my job is a little different," Brown said Wednesday. "Giving opinions is easier than making decisions, let's put it that way."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brown said he spoke to 10 coaches after he resigned as the Texas coach to get their insights on what happens next. Some of them had returned to coaching, others had not, but they all told the 63-year-old Brown the same thing about coaching again — don't even think about it until late November of December.
"I don't have an agent for football, I'm not going to call anybody, I'm not going to pursue any jobs," said Brown, adding he would talk if somebody called him.
Before appearing at the luncheon marking 75 days until the first College Football Playoff championship game is played in North Texas, Brown was asked earlier Wednesday on an ESPN conference call about the first playoff rankings. He also was asked if he had any interest in the SMU opening, one he has been linked to in some media reports. June Jones resigned two games into SMU's season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Let's see, Mississippi State is one, FSU is two, Auburn is three, Ole Miss is four," Brown said before answering the question. "I've made it very clear that I'm happy with ESPN, ABC, and I'm really enjoying my job, and I haven't talked to anybody about coaching football at this point."
Brown is 244-122-1 with 21 bowl appearances as a head coach, making stops at North Carolina (1988-97), Tulane (1985-87) and Appalachian State (1983) before his 16 seasons with the Longhorns. He won a national championship at Texas and was the national runner-up another season.
Brown said he and his wife, Sally, are enjoying the time away from coaching, and he's doing new things.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I get to see movies, I'm up here on a Wednesday," Brown said before the luncheon. "I would never be up here on Wednesday, I couldn't do that, so there are things that have been fun. ... If nobody calls, it won't be a hard decision. It'll be easy. And if somebody calls, I'll talk to them."