Mack Brown replacements: 3 best candidates to take UNC's top job after latest firing ft. Matt Campbell 

The North Carolina Tar Heels under the guidance of coach Mack Brown have had a seesaw season with a three-game winning streak punctuated by blowout losses to the James Madison Dukes (70-50) and, most recently, the Boston College Eagles (41-21).

On Tuesday, UNC released a statement revealing that Brown had been relieved of his duties ahead of their season-ending clash against the NC State Wolfpack.

"Mack Brown has won more games than any football coach in UNC history, and we deeply appreciate all that he has done for Carolina Football and our University,'' UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said. "Over the last six seasons – his second campaign in Chapel Hill -- he has coached our team to six bowl berths, including an Orange Bowl, while mentoring 18 NFL draft picks."

So, which five coaches could fill the vacancy left by Mack Brown?

Mack Brown replacements: 3 best candidates to take UNC's top job

#3. Jon Sumrall

Tulane coach Jon Sumrall has led the Green Wave to the American Athletic Conference championship game unbeaten in regular season play against the Army Black Knights.

Tulane has managed a 9-2 record this season. Sumrall has led the Green Wave to the doorstep of a potential CFP appearance and would make an ideal Mack Brown replacement.

#2. Barry Odom

Barry Odom has led the UNLV Rebels to a 9-2 record this season and has an overall 18-7 record over two years in charge of the program. Before he took over the UNLV job, the Rebels had only registered two nine-win seasons in the program's history but have two under his guidance.

With his experience as coach of the Missouri Tigers and UNLV, Odom would be a solid replacement for Mack Brown at the helm of North Carolina.

#1. Matt Campbell

Matt Campbell has led the Iowa State Cyclones to a remarkable 9-2 record this season with a chance to make the Big 12 conference championship game and even possibly the expanded college football playoffs.

In his weekly news conference, college football analyst John Buhler linked Campbell to the Michigan Wolverines job to take over from first-year coach Sherrone Moore who has led the team to a 6-5 season.

“If I had to pick the best potential head coach to lead Michigan long-term, it would have to be Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell,” Buhler said. “He is the type of head coach whose lunchpail mentality and blue-collar ethos would thrive in Ann Arbor.

"Campbell has already worked at a well-run operation previously in Toledo, which is arguably the best and most storied college football program in the MAC."

North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham also said in his statement that the program had begun an intensive search for its next coach.