Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 1/17/08 Section: News

McMackin

Yesterday morning, Greg McMackin was announced as the successor to June Jones as head coach of the University of Hawai‘i football team. UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and Interim Athletics Director Carl Clapp officially named McMackin to the position during a press conference at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I am honored and very humbled to accept the head coaching position at the University of Hawai‘i," McMackin said. "June Jones can never be replaced. He has done so many great things for the program, the university and the state of Hawai‘i, and his legacy will never be forgotten. My destiny is to keep the program headed in that same direction and to maintain the continuity with our current players and recruiting base."

The former defensive coordinator for the Warriors served two stints as the Warriors' defensive coordinator in 1999 and 2007, in the latter of which UH improved from 93rd nationally in total defense to 33rd. During his tenure, the Warriors captured the Western Athletic Conference championship both years, including this past year's perfect 12-0 regular season and trip to the Allstate Sugar Bowl, his 12th bowl appearance. Under McMackin's tutelage, the UH defense ranked fifth nationally in tackles-for-loss, ninth in sacks and 11th in interceptions. They also recorded five defensive touchdowns.

"To know how hard the university worked to get the right guy for the job, I feel comfortable with our decision," junior linebacker Adam Leonard said. "(McMackin) is the best choice for the job and he has all the qualifications that we're looking for and qualities we want in a head coach. From his character and how much he cares for not only the football program and state but also the football players, and the family man that he is, he's just a great choice to continue the success we had on the football team."

Leonard was one of nine members appointed by Hinshaw for the selection committee for the new UH head coach that was established last Friday. Clapp and Hinshaw stood at the helm as committee co-chairs. Other members included Tony Guerrero, chair of ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue and vice chair of First Hawaiian Bank; Debra Ishii, executive assistant to the chancellor; Dee Jay Mailer, CEO of the Kamehameha Schools; Peter Nicholson, UH Mānoa professor and faculty athletics representative; John K. Tsui, chair of Towne Realty Development and former president and chief operating officer of First Hawaiian Bank; and Artie Wilson, partner and realtor, Prudential Locations.

"I'm excited with this decision. We had the goal of having a process that was efficient, but also a process that would result in hiring the right man to be the head football coach," Clapp said. "Greg McMackin is the right individual right now at the University of Hawai‘i, and I think he's going to do a great job."

While his accomplishments are quite evident, McMackin made certain that the public and fans understood that he would strive to continue the "June Jones legacy" and the run-and-shoot offense.

"What we have to do is we have to build on what we have right now. We have something special. We have leadership and we have a team that really believes," McMackin said. "We're going to keep what June has built. There's no reason to fix something that isn't broken."

In McMackin's first appearance in the Hawai‘i coaching staff, the Warriors finished 9-4, won the Jeep O‘ahu Bowl and became the NCAA's all-time turnaround team after a winless 0-12 season the year prior. His defense, which improved from 109th to 35th nationally, accounted for five touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 33 sacks and 17 fumble recoveries.

"Greg meets our top priorities as a coach - he is a demonstrated leader who has significant coaching experience, the ability to produce successful student-athletes, a full appreciation of the special connection between UH athletics and the people of Hawai‘i and the capacity to lead a smooth transition for current team members and coaches," Hinshaw said.

McMackin's has gained experience in his 40-year career both on the collegiate and professional football fields.

Before joining the Warriors staff during his second go-around, McMackin spent three years with the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers as associate head coach and linebackers coach under Dennis Erickson from 2003 to 2005.

Prior to his first stint at UH in 1999, McMackin was the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks for four seasons under Erickson, where he coached 10 all-pro selections. The Seahawks recorded an NFL-record 14 defensive touchdowns in 1998 while establishing a franchise-best seven interceptions in one game. During his first three seasons in Seattle, the defense jumped from 30th to eighth, while the pass defense improved from 30th to sixth.

"I'm excited for Greg, the staff and the players to be able to continue some of the things we started. It was the right decision and I'm happy Carl, Virginia and David were able to expedite the process and be able to maintain some consistency," said Southern Methodist University head coach Jones. "Greg will do a great job. He has a lot of good young players coming back and can put his touch on the entire team this spring."

McMackin entered as the obvious favorite, receiving public endorsements from Jones, Na Koa, the football program's booster club, and assistant coaches Jeff Reinebold and Rich Miano.

"I just want to thank June Jones. There will never be another June Jones. I've been fortunate enough to be with some great coaches, but June Jones is the best coach in the game. What he's done here - going from 0-12 to 12-0 - he is responsible for this. Possibly what I can be is the glue to hold it together so we can continue."

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