Mack Brown, the legendary former Texas Longhorns coach, was spotted on the sideline with Texas' own "Minister of Culture" Matthew McConaughey on Saturday during the highly anticipated Texas vs. Ohio State football game at Ohio Stadium.
Brown, recently retired from coaching after his stint at North Carolina, donned a burnt orange pullover and joined McConaughey, who serves as Texas's "Minister of Culture," to cheer on the Longhorns in one of the season's biggest matchups. The duo's presence energized fans and players alike, bringing extra motivation and spotlight to the Texas program.
Since being let go at North Carolina in late 2024, Mack Brown has remained a visible presence around the Texas football community and considers Austin his true home.
Matthew McConaughey and Mack Brown share a moment ahead of @TexasFootball’s opener vs Ohio State 🧡🤘 pic.twitter.com/2uXP1Ui15j
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 30, 2025
Brown returned to Austin for the winter and spring, spending summers in North Carolina’s mountains with his family. He’s spoken openly about the burnout of long coaching stints, sharing that after 16 years as Texas head coach, he needed a break yet never lost his passion for the sport or the program.
Brown’s roots in Austin run deep. Even while working on television or coaching at North Carolina, he often referred to Austin as “home. " He maintained relationships with former players and staff and participated in events, podcasts, and fan meetups in the area. He continues to contribute to Texas as an advisor and ambassador in unofficial ways, sustaining the Longhorn tradition and supporting the program’s legacy and future.
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