Mack's the total package. When OU coach Gary Gibbs resigned in 1994, the school had a chance to bring back Brown, who had North Carolina in the midst of a bowl binge. Duncan and Brown had meetings. Something went wrong. A job believed to be Brown's suddenly was not.
Rumors vary on what went wrong.
OU president David Boren wanted a bigger-name coach. N.C. The most widely accepted explanation centered on Brown's older brother, Watson. Watson Brown had been the Sooners' offensive coordinator during Gibbs' final two seasons and wanted the OU head coaching job. Rather than fuel a family feud, Mack Brown pulled out of the race. Then came John Blake.