Kliff Kingsbury Favorite to Take Over from Mack Brown as UNC Football Coach According to Betting Odds

Key Headlines

• 91% chance Mack Brown doesn’t coach UNC in 2025 according to betting odds.
• Kliff Kingsbury favorite to take over from Brown as next UNC head coach (16.7% probability).
• Deion Sanders also among front runners to take over from Brown (5.9% probability).
• Bill Belichick and Nick Saban among outsiders to take on Tar Heels role after Brown.

Complete Odds For Mack Brown & Next UNC Head Coach

Mack Brown 2025 Odds

• To Retire Before 2025 Season -200 (66.7%)
• To Be Fired Before 2025 Season +300 (25%)
• To Coach UNC in 2025 +600 (14.3%)

Next UNC Head Coach

• Kliff Kingsbury +500 (16.7%)
• Chip Lindsey +500 (16.7%)
• Freddie Kitchens +700 (12.5%)
• Jeff Traylor +1000 (9.1%)
• Alex Golesh +1000 (9.1%)
• Ryan Silverfield +1400 (6.7%)
• Deion Sanders +1600 (5.9%)
• Jack Del Rio +2000 (4.8%)
• John Sumrall +2000 (4.8%)
• Arthur Smith +2500 (3.8%)
• Dan Mullen +3300 (2.9%)
• Bill O’Brien +3300 (2.9%)
• Curt Cignetti +3300 (2.9%)
• Ben Johnson +3300 (2.9%)
• Bill Belichick +5000 (2%)
• Nick Saban +6600 (1.5%)
• Butch Davis +10000 (1%)
• Tom Brady +10000 (1%)

After Mack Brown threatened to resign following UNC’s stunning 70-50 loss to James Madison on Saturday, speculation is swirling about the veteran coach’s future with the Tar Heels. Brown, a Hall of Famer, has had a storied career, but at 73, his days at the helm of the program appear numbered. With mounting pressure after the defeat, the odds reflect that it’s highly unlikely Brown will coach UNC in 2025.

The betting market created by the experts at Sportscasting.com suggests there’s a 91% chance he will either retire or be fired before the 2025 season, with retirement being the most likely outcome at -200 odds (66.7% probability). Meanwhile, the odds of Brown coaching UNC in 2025 are just +600, or 14.3%, making it clear that a change could be on the horizon.

Kliff Kingsbury Leading the Pack

Kliff Kingsbury tops the list of potential successors, with a 16.7% chance of becoming the next head coach of UNC. Known for his innovative offensive schemes and stint as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and Texas Tech, Kingsbury’s experience running high-powered offenses makes him an attractive candidate for the Tar Heels.

With UNC’s ability to attract top talent at quarterback like Mitch Trubisky and Drake Maye, Kingsbury, a former QB and offensive mastermind could be the ideal coach to lead the Tar Heels to the next level.

Deion Sanders: A Wildcard Contender

Deion Sanders, currently turning heads at Colorado, is also in the conversation, with 5.9% odds of taking over. Sanders, famous for his charisma and success as a player, has rapidly built a reputation as a coach capable of turning programs around.

His ability to recruit and develop young talent, coupled with his growing profile in the college football world, makes him a wildcard option for UNC. However, questions remain as to whether Sanders would consider a jump to UNC or remain focused on his current project.

Longshots: Bill Belichick & Nick Saban

The presence of NFL legend Bill Belichick and Alabama’s Nick Saban among the potential candidates is tantalizing, but their odds reflect the slim likelihood of such moves.

Saban (66/1) is now seemingly right at home on ESPN College GameDay, and at 72, his coaching days are probably behind him. Belichick (50/1), at the same age, has also made the move to the media, appearing on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show and Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Manning. Our experts believe it’s unlikely that either of these two want to deal with the stress of a head coaching position again.

Other Notable Candidates

Chip Lindsey, the current offensive coordinator for UNC, is tied with Kingsbury at 16.7% odds. Lindsey’s familiarity with the program and his offensive expertise make him a natural contender, especially if UNC opts for continuity. However, he could be battling with co-worker Freddie Kitchens if the head coaching role opens up.

Kitchens is currently coaching tight ends for North Carolina, is another name to watch, boasting 12.5% odds. His previous head coaching experience with the Cleveland Browns could give him an edge if the Tar Heels seek an internal promotion.

Meanwhile, coaches like Jeff Traylor (9.1%), Alex Golesh (9.1%), and Ryan Silverfield (6.7%) are all viable options, each bringing different coaching styles and experience. Traylor has found success with UTSA, and Golesh, now at South Florida, has built a strong reputation as a tactician.

Commentary

Nick Raffoul, Head of News at Sportscasting commented on the data:

“As rumors swirl and speculation grows, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Mack Brown’s days at UNC could be coming to an end. While Kingsbury stands out as the favorite to succeed him, the list of potential candidates is deep, with a range of coaches from both the NFL and college ranks vying for the position. UNC’s next head coach will have big shoes to fill, but the odds suggest that change is on the horizon for the Tar Heels.”