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Mack Brown knows firsthand what type of player Drake Maye can be. Before the New England Patriots selected Maye in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Brown coached Maye in North Carolina.
Next week, Maye will play in the first Super Bowl of his career. While Maye reached the game’s biggest stage in just his second season in the NFL, Brown was always confident his former quarterback would succeed at the next level.
“I told the scouts, when they found out, that he’s a Super Bowl guy, he’s going to win a Super Bowl,” Brown told WRAL. “I didn’t know I was going to have the opportunity to be the second youngest guy to do it.”
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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looks toward his bench during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Colorado, on Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Maye finished his two-year career as the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback with 62 touchdowns. He threw for 8,018 yards during his three years in a North Carolina uniform.
PATRIOTS’ DRAKE MAYE MISSES PRACTICE DUE TO INJURY AND ILLNESS JUST 9 DAYS BEFORE SUPER BOWL
Before returning to UNC, Brown spent 16 years in Texas, where he coached several highly touted NFL-bound quarterbacks, including Vince Young and Colt McCoy. Brown believes Maye is on a path that could eventually place him among the game’s all-time greats.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up before the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
“I think Drake has the advantage right now – I hope he wins this one, if he doesn’t then there will be another Super Bowl for Drake,” Brown said. “I think Drake will not only be one of the best I’ve ever coached, but also one of the best to ever play.”
UNC went 17-10 with Maye as its starting quarterback, highlighted by an appearance in the ACC Championship Game in 2022 under Brown.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) and head coach Mack Brown walk the sideline against South Carolina at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 2, 2023. (Carlos Saavedra/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
In his first season under coach Mike Vrabel, Maye posted the best completion percentage in the league and was recognized as an MVP finalist.
North Carolina parted ways with Brown in 2024.
“While this was not the perfect time or way I envisioned going out, no time will ever be the perfect time,” Brown said in a statement after it was announced he would not return to Chapel Hill for another season. “I have spent 16 seasons at North Carolina and will always cherish the memories and relationships Sally and I have built while serving as head coach.”
North Carolina later hired former NFL coach Bill Belichick.
The Patriots and Seahawks will meet in Super Bowl LX on February 8.
