CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Picture having five gallons of mayonnaise poured over your head. This unusual spectacle serves as a “reward” for the winning coach of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. This quirky tradition began in 2021 when Duke’s Mayo aimed to establish a distinct presence in the college football bowl scene.
Every year, as the game approaches, the mayo dump becomes a trending topic on social media, captivating college football enthusiasts who can’t help but watch, despite some finding the concept rather unappealing.
“With my bald head, I think the mayo should just slide right off,” joked Minnesota’s head coach P.J. Fleck, whose team is set to face Virginia Tech in the bowl game on Friday night. “I might need to do some pre-dumping of the mayo to ensure it slides off properly. I’ve got my own strategy in mind, but I can’t share my secrets.”
Preparation for the mayo dump is quite extensive. As the fourth quarter begins, staff members pour five one-gallon containers of mayonnaise into a large cooler reminiscent of a Gatorade container. They take turns stirring the mayonnaise vigorously for more than 25 minutes using a large wooden stick.
“This alters its consistency slightly, making it easier to pour,” explained Rebecca Lupesco, the brand director for Duke’s Mayo. “Some may assume we add water, but we do not; it’s pure mayonnaise. We just mix it up, which can be quite a workout.”
According to tradition, the victorious coach is seated on a chair on the field after the game, while two staff members hoist the cooler above their heads to pour mayo over him.
Though the process now runs smoothly, it required adjustments in the past. Back in 2021, a mishap occurred when one of the cooler’s handles slipped, resulting in South Carolina coach Shane Beamer unexpectedly getting hit in the head. This concern has now been addressed, and the cooler’s handles have been reinforced.
“Since that day, we’ve been very selective with our mayo dumpers,” Lupesco said with a grin. “Last year, we conducted a mayo combine where ten individuals were chosen to compete. They had to perform deadlifts with buckets of mayonnaise and catch footballs while having mayo on their hands. We needed to ensure that these participants could handle the weight.”
The identities of this year’s mayo dumpers remain under wraps, but they will undergo thorough training beforehand. Per Lupesco, the pourers will rehearse by dumping multiple buckets of mayo over a “dummy coach,” ensuring they practice raising the cooler high enough to avoid anyone getting struck.
Virginia Tech’s coach Brent Pry admits he isn’t particularly fond of mayonnaise but would embrace the experience if it means his team secures a victory. “I’ll be like, ‘bring it on! I want that!’” Pry stated. “My players and family have enjoyed watching other coaches get doused, so I hope we find ourselves in that position as well.”
Last year, the mayo dump fell on former West Virginia coach Neal Brown after his team’s decisive 30-10 win over North Carolina—a moment he will surely remember. “I feel cold, I feel wet… but I feel like a winner,” Brown said while drenched in mayonnaise.