North Carolina football faced a shocking defeat on its home turf as James Madison delivered a resounding 70-50 blow in Week 4. The Tar Heels, carrying a 3-0 record into the game, were left reeling by JMU, one of the top Group of Five programs in the nation. The Dukes' dominance was evident as they secured a commanding 53-21 lead at halftime, marking their highest scoring half in history while also highlighting UNC's highest points allowed in a half.

In the aftermath of the crushing loss, head coach Mack Brown shouldered the blame, informing his players that the result was attributed to him and offering to step down should the program's issues remain unresolved. Despite Brown's willingness to take responsibility, the Tar Heels players rallied behind their coach, assuming their part in the defeat. Following a period of reflection, Brown clarified his stance, affirming that he would not be resigning and would promptly resume his duties.

Mack Brown’s return to the UNC coaching position has been a pivotal discussion point given his age of 73. Having seemingly retired post his tenure at Texas in 2013, Brown's resurgence as head coach at Chapel Hill has been met with mixed reactions. With a track record of 41-28 in the six years since his return, coupled with the current 3-1 standing, questions loom regarding the long-term viability of Brown at North Carolina. Notably, the upcoming challenge for the Tar Heels lies in a Week 5 clash against Duke, scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff.