Brown also weighed in on the report, via Horns247, saying, "I haven't seen (the) article. I'm in Florida recruiting. If I had decided to step down I sure wouldn't be killing myself down here. I have not decided to step down."
ESPN's Brett McMurphy provides this quote from a source who gives insight into Brown's comments:
"I know Mack, he's friend, this is his decision, but he wants to tell his players and staff and not read it on the internet," the source told ESPN. "That's why he reacted strongly to the (Orangebloods.com) report.
There is no word yet on who will be replacing Brown, but according to Chip Brown's report from OrangeBloods.com, Mack Brown will coach Texas' upcoming contest against Oregon in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30.
One source said the following:
Mack Brown loves Texas and wants what's in the best interest of Texas and what's in the best interest of Mack Brown. I don't think it's been an easy decision. But he doesn't want negativity around the program he helped unify.
Heading into the 2013 college football season, there were heavy expectations on Brown to restore the luster of the Longhorns and mold them back into a contender. The team came in with No. 15 ranks in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls and had a great chance at making a BCS bowl in a wide-open Big 12 conference.
Unfortunately for Brown, his squad stumbled right out of the gate. After a meaningless victory over doormat New Mexico State, the Longhorns dropped back-to-back contests against BYU and Ole Miss, the latter defeat coming by 21 points at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
It was an embarrassing display that led to a crescendo of cries for Brown's termination. While the coach would regroup and guide his squad on a six-game winning streak—including a victory over then-No. 12 Oklahoma—a blowout loss to Oklahoma State and a disappointing loss against Baylor to close the season ultimately turned up the hot seat on Brown once again.
While it appeared Texas may be able to make a run at winning the Big 12 outright, Brown wasn't able to finish the season strong after an up-and-down 2013 and has decided to now step away.
During his tenure with the program, Brown compiled a regular-season record of 158-47 and 10-4 in bowl games.
The 62-year-old coach will be best remembered for the leading the Longhorns to a national championship in 2005-06, the first since Darrell Royal brought back-to-back national titles to Austin 1969 and 1970.
