Our sincere condolences to the family of the 1943-born former coach, who served as defensive coordinator for 31 years at six different schools. While at Texas Longhorns from 1998 through 2003, he inherited a defense that ranked 104th nationally in rushing, surrendering 241.5 yards a game. Just to give a little glimpse of the challenge he took on. And when the news of his passing surfaced, one of the first voices to step forward belonged to a 74-year-old former UNC coach and UT’s “Coach February,” Mack Brown. The longtime coach who knew him best.

A few sources, like Brown and FootballScoop, have confirmed that “long-time ball coach Carl “Bull” Reese has passed away. Reese built his name over four decades of college football, carving out a reputation as one of the most respected defensive minds in the game. After suiting up as a player at Missouri, Reese began a career that took him from the Big 12 to the SEC and nearly everywhere in between. He left his mark at Missouri, LSU, Texas, and several other stops, always known for turning leaky defenses into disciplined, hard-hitting units. His résumé stretched across 40-plus seasons, a run of longevity that’s hard to match in a profession where the carousel rarely slows down.

Mack Brown, who worked with Reese during his tenure from 1998–2013, didn’t hesitate to honor him publicly. Sharing an old picture, Brown wrote, “So sorry we lost Carl ‘Bull’ Reese. He was one of the best DC’s to ever do it. He will be missed. Super man. RIP!” Not even current coach Steve Sarkisian has shared his thoughts yet. It was a short message, but it carried the weight of deep respect.

The numbers back up why Brown and others admired him. When Reese took over the Longhorns’ defense, the unit had bottomed out nationally. By 2001, Texas was holding opponents to just 236.2 yards per game, the program’s stingiest mark since 1983. That season, he was named a finalist for the Broyles Award, which honors the nation’s top assistant coach.

Even after leaving Texas, Reese kept finding ways to stay in the game. He was still on the sidelines into the next decade, including a role in 2015 with the Arkansas Razorbacks as an analyst.

Mack Brown steps in to defend Arch Manning

In the wake of honoring his longtime defensive coordinator, former Texas head coach Mack Brown also made headlines for a different reason. Throwing his full support behind current Longhorn QB1 Arch Manning. Brown, never shy about speaking his mind, urged Texas fans to stand behind their young QB.

“When you’re down, you pick them up,” Brown emphatically said. “You don’t boo quarterbacks when they are struggling. This is such a wonderful fanbase. You should embrace Arch. We are so lucky to have him. Embrace this offense. Your job is to pick them up.”

Current head coach Steve Sarkisian had a different spin, telling Manning that “you can’t be a true quarterback until you get booed,” and that now he could “just go out there and loosen up and play the game.” Brown, though, pushed back, reminding everyone that support, not jeers, is what lifts a quarterback higher.