"Don’t joke about walking away": Paul Finebaum slams Mack Brown's shocking exit hints after humiliating loss to James Madison

Paul Finebaum had a bone to pick with Mack Brown after the latter's shocking exit hints following the University of North Carolina's loss to the less-fancied James Madison. Brown reportedly offered to walk away from the head coaching job at UNC after the loss, but Finebaum was not having any of it.

The ESPN analyst reacted to Brown's situation on "The Matt Barrie Show."

“I am going to get in trouble here because one of the greatest experiences that I have had in TV has been with you and Mack Brown on Sunday mornings doing SportsCenter," Finebaum said per On3.

Finebaum continued,

"He is one of the great people, but Mack, when you lose to James Madison University, do not joke about walking away because your fans will take you seriously and hope that you will follow suit with the plan."

What happened to Mack Brown's North Carolina against James Madison?

James Madison University quarterback Alonza Barnett III had five passing touchdowns to guide his team to one of the most surprising results of the 2024 college football season. The Dukes' offense was dominant against Mack Brown's team, and the legendary head coach had nothing up his sleeves for his hyper-motivated opponents.

The game ended 70-50, giving first-year coach Bob Chesney a shock win over an Atlantic Coast Conference team. This result sent shockwaves around collegiate football.

It was so bad that the Tar Heels were booed off the field at halftime. It was always going to be an uphill battle after that.

Following the game, Brown took full responsibility for the loss. The former national championship-winning coach reportedly told the players that the loss was on him and that he would step away if he could not get things fixed.

However, he told ESPN on Saturday that he will not be resigning after an emotional locker room scene with his squad following a loss to JMU. James Madison University is in its third season as an FBS school.

What next for Mack Brown and North Carolina?

Mack Brown and his players do not have the time to lick their wounds after their stunning loss to James Madison University. The Tar Heels will begin Atlantic Coast Conference play at Duke next week.

Duke is unbeaten to start the 2024 season and is fresh off a big win against Middle Tennessee State University. Mack Brown and his players must be on their A-game in their next game to avoid back-to-back losses in the ongoing CFB campaign.