Before Saturday’s game against JMU, UNC head football coach Mack Brown mistakenly referred to JMU head coach Bob Chesney as Bob “Chaney.”

Shortly after JMU’s 70-50 dismantling of the Tar Heels, Brown asked his players if he should retire. Yes, the head coach with 285 career wins and a national championship from his days at Texas lost so badly to a coach whose name he didn’t know that he immediately contemplated retirement.

Life comes at you fast.

“Embarrassing day, shocking day,” Brown told the media immediately after the loss. “You shouldn’t be at North Carolina and lose to a Group of Five team. Period.”

While Brown doesn’t think UNC should lose to Group of Five schools, the Tar Heels haven’t been dominant against Sun Belt teams in recent years. They beat App State by a combined eight points in 2022 and 2023, and they only beat Georgia State by a touchdown in 2022. App State beat UNC in 2019.

Following the 20-point loss to JMU this season, a frustrated Brown walked into the locker room and asked his players if they still trusted him as their leader. The players said yes, although Brown has since told the media he regretted asking UNC’s players if he should retire.

“I shouldn’t put that pressure on those young people,” Brown said.

Brown has no plans to immediately step down, but the loss to JMU intensified calls from fans and media for him to leave his job. Depending on what happens the rest of this season, Brown may very well opt to step down following the conclusion of the 2024 season. 

As for JMU, the Dukes continue their elite play since moving to the FBS. JMU is 22-5 since moving up from the FCS, grabbing notable wins against App State, UVA, and UNC in those three seasons. The Dukes have a winning record against ACC teams during that span, going 2-1 against teams from the Power 4 conference. 

Of JMU’s five losses at the FBS level, only three (Georgia Southern in 2022, Louisville in 2022, and App State in 2023) have come with JMU’s starting quarterback and head coach available. Todd Centeio missed the 2022 loss to Marshall — and he was limited in the defeat to Louisville. Last year’s bowl loss to Air Force came after head coach Curt Cignetti left for Indiana, leaving the Dukes with an assortment of volunteer coaches to fill staffing voids. 

At full strength, the Dukes have proven themselves to be an elite Group of Five program in the last three seasons. Still, Brown was so devastated after the home loss to JMU that he considered calling it quits. 

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications