Brown as recently as Monday said he planned to return next season, but Bubba Cunningham, the UNC athletic director, informed Brown later Monday that “he will not return as head coach.”

Will North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham target a sitting head coach, like Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, or a well-regarded coordinator from a major program, like Georgia’s Glenn Schumann?

North Carolina announced Tuesday it is letting the veteran coach go. As potential replacements weigh the merits of the job, it’s worth examining why the Tar Heels haven’t had more success.