ACC football season preview 2020: Can Notre Dame knock off Clemson?

ACC Coach of the Year, Mack Brown, North Carolina

Though Dabo Swinney and Brian Kelly seem to be on a collision course to duke it out over the ACC Championship, neither will win conference coach of the year. If the Irish meet the Tigers in the ACC title game, they are living up to expectations.

Norvell would be a sound darkhorse choice, but they have to figure out the quarterback position. Scott Satterfield could repeat, but the Cardinals have question marks all over their offensive line. Fuente found his starting quarterback, but he needs reliable receivers.

That’s why Carolina head coach Mack Brown makes the most sense as ACC Coach of the Year. They have a lot of pieces coming back, including quarterback-receiver combo Sam Howell/Dazz Newsome.

Michael Carter and Javonte Lewis almost had 1,000 yards rushing each, and both return to Chapel Hill. They have a dangerous offense coming back this season. The only reason they aren’t ready to challenge Clemson or Notre Dame is their defense.

Mack Brown made it all about the players. He had a team meeting his first day there to ask the players about their “wish list.” Mack made it happen. He’s filled holes on the recruiting trail and had North Carolina at the top of the 2021 rankings.

What he’s doing this second time around in North Carolina is impressive. If they continue the upward trend, they’ll contend before it is all said and done. This season, however, they are the third-best team in the conference, and the ACC could see three 10-win teams for the first time since 2016.