Prior to coaching at the University of Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Longhorn and North Carolina football programs, and is well-known for being a successful recruiter.

On January 11, 2006 Coach Brown was named the Paul "Bear" Bryant College Football Coach of the Year. Not since Darrell Royal's victory in 1963 has a coach from The University of Texas at Austin been given this honor. Voted by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, this award not only affirms the talent, skills and vision of Coach Mack Brown but strengthens the athletic and academic record achieved during his UT tenure. He is one of the greatest college football coaches ever and retired after the 2013-2014 season. He was replacd at UT by Charlie Strong.