Mack Brown, UNC AD slam NCAA after Tez Walker eligibility appeal denied: 'Lost all faith in its ability to lead'

Emily Dozier

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Mack Brown, UNC AD slam NCAA after Tez Walker eligibility appeal denied: 'Lost all faith in its ability to lead' image

Chapel Hill is not happy.

The NCAA has denied Tez Walker's eligibility request for the season after the football player's transfer. It's quickly caused an outcry on social media from UNC officials and fans.

Walker began his career at North Carolina Central, but its 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. He transferred out to Kent State for the following season in 2021 and played two years there before transferring to UNC.

Two-time transfers, like Walker, have different rules for immediate eligibility, so the NCAA must approve a waiver granting the student-athlete eligibility. It was expected to be an easy decision. Walker is a Charlotte native and wanted to be closer to family. He even cited mental health struggles as a reason he chose to transfer to North Carolina.

And because of his canceled 2020 season, Walker only ever suited up for the Golden Flashes.

MORE: Tez Walker eligibility, explained

Still, he was denied. 

Mack Brown statement about Tez Walker transfer

Mack Brown, head coach of the Tar Heels, and Bubba Cunningham, athletic director, took to social media to release statements following Walker's denial.

Both releases criticized the NCAA's inconsistency in eligibility requests, noting approvals for other transfer situations. Cunningham subtly nodded to quarterback JT Daniels, who has played for four schools in six years with no eligibility issues.

He additionally listed reasons Walker should be approved to play for North Carolina immediately, which included the fact that both NC Central and Kent State were in support of Walker playing in 2023.

In his backing of Walker, Brown voiced his anger at the NCAA's decision. He went further to state that the NCAA has already impaired college football in many ways, including the hypocritical treatment of student-athletes with mental health concerns.

"Plain and simple, the NCAA has failed Tez and his family and I've lost all faith in its ability to lead and govern our sport," Brown wrote. "SHAME ON YOU!"

The NCAA hit back at Brown in a lengthy statement about the transfer waiver process, saying the Division I Board is "troubled" by his statement and claiming "violent threats" have been made toward the organization's members.

Emily Dozier

Emily Dozier Photo

Emily Dozier is a live events and lifestyle writer at The Sporting News, covering everything from sporting events and music festivals to broadway shows and stand-up comedy. Based out of New York, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When not covering the SN tickets beat, Emily enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Prior to joining The Sporting News in 2023, Emily covered the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the Associated Press.