Former college football coach and broadcast analyst Mack Brown has been named the commencement speaker for Texas Law’s 2026 Sunflower Ceremony.
Brown, who led the Texas Longhorns for 16 seasons and guided the program to the 2005 national championship, will deliver remarks to the graduating Class of 2026 on May 9 at The University of Texas at Austin’s Gregory Gym.
“I’m thrilled to join the students and their families on this special day, and to follow in the footsteps of my dear friend, Joe Jamail,” says Brown. “UT is a place filled with tradition, and no part of the university has a tradition like the Law School’s Sunflower Ceremony. I can’t wait to be part of it.”
The late Jamail ’53, for whom both the Jamail Pavilion at the Law School and the field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium were named, was a trusted friend and advisor to Brown. He delivered the law school commencement address in 2012.
A History of Winning
A 2018 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame, Brown’s coaching career spanned four decades as he amassed a record of 288-155-1 at four universities: Tulane in New Orleans; Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina; UT Austin; and two stints at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—one before his time in Austin and one afterwards.
Brown was named the 2005 Paul W. “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year and the 2008 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year, and is the only coach to win 100 games at two FBS programs and one of a select few to lead two programs to top-five national finishes. At Texas, Brown’s 12 consecutive seasons of at least nine wins were a UT first, as were his three 11-win seasons (2001, 2004, and 2008).
Alongside his teams’ on-field success, Brown’s programs consistently maintained a high level of achievement in the classroom—more than a third of his Longhorn players earned GPAs of 3.0 or higher—and involvement in the community.
Changing Lives
Brown was also known for helping his players develop personal qualities that would lead to long-term success and meaningful lives. Former Longhorn Sam Acho played football professionally before becoming an ESPN sports analyst and public speaker. “Coach Mack Brown’s influence on athletes comes through character, care, and authentic family connection—changing lives beyond football through integrity and intentional presence,” Acho said.
“Mack Brown is an accomplished and inspiring leader who has transformed the lives of thousands of his players for the better,” says Dean Bobby Chesney. “He is a true Longhorn legend and we’re honored he’s going to be part of this magical occasion.”
Also speaking at the Sunflower Ceremony will be Holly Gray, the Class of 2026 permanent class president. A Tyler, Texas, native, Gray has served as head coordinator of the Society Program and vice president of programming for the Student Bar Association. She has spent two summers as a summer associate at Vinson and Elkins in Dallas, which is where she plans to work following graduation.