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Greg McMackin

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Greg McMackin
Biographical details
Born(1945-04-24)April 24, 1945
Springfield, Oregon, U.S.
DiedFebruary 14, 2023(2023-02-14) (aged 77)
South Dakota
Playing career
1963–1966Southern Oregon
Position(s)Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1968Arizona (GA)
1969–1970Aloha HS (OR) (assistant)
1971–1972Aloha HS (OR)
1973–1975Western Oregon State (DC)
1976–1978Idaho (DB/DC)
1979–1983San Jose State (DB)
1984Stanford (LB)
1985Denver Gold (DB)
1986–1989Oregon Tech
1990–1991Utah (DC)
1992Navy (DC)
1993–1994Miami (FL) (DC)
1995–1998Seattle Seahawks (DC)
1999Hawaii (DC)
2000–2002Texas Tech (DC)
2003–2005San Francisco 49ers (LB)
2007Hawaii (DC)
2008–2011Hawaii
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1986–1989Oregon Tech (assistant AD)
Head coaching record
Overall53–39–1 (college)
Bowls0–2
Tournaments2–1 (NAIA D-II playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 WAC (2010)
1 CFL Southern Division (1987)
1 CFA Mount Hood Division (1988)

Gregory James McMackin (April 24, 1945 – February 14, 2023) was an American football coach and player. He served as the head football coach at Oregon Institute of Technology from 1986 to 1989 and at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 2008 to 2011, compiling a career college football record of 53–39–1. Before coming to Hawaii as defensive coordinator in 2007, he previously served in the same capacity for the Seattle Seahawks, the Miami Hurricanes, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.[1]

Career

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McMackin coached extensively at both the collegiate and professional levels.

At the professional level, McMackin coached for two National Football League teams: as defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks from 1995 to 1998, and as linebackers and assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 2003 to 2005. He also coached for the Denver Gold of the defunct United States Football League (USFL).

At the college level, McMackin gained prominence as the defense coordinator for the University of Miami for the 1993 and 1994 seasons. There, Miami won two Big East Championships and ranked first in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense.[2] Further, the Hurricanes allowed just seven touchdowns on defense in one season.[2] While there, he coached Lombardi Award winner Warren Sapp, Ray Lewis and six First-Team Consensus All-Americans. The Hurricanes played in the national championship game (Orange Bowl) in 1995.

McMackin served as defensive coordinator at six colleges: Hawaii, Texas Tech, Miami, Navy, Utah, and Idaho.

Briefly, during the first half of the 2007 spring semester, McMackin was an instructor at Texas Tech.

McMackin, previously the defensive coordinator for the Hawaii Warriors, was one of several individuals being considered to fill the vacancy left by June Jones as head coach. Jones left the Hawaii Warriors in January to become the head coach of SMU.

On January 15, 2008, McMackin took over the position of head coach for the Hawaii Warriors. Upon signing his five-year contract, McMackin became the highest-paid state employee with a $1.12 million annual salary. The previous record was held by his predecessor, June Jones, with an $800,016 annual salary.[1]

On August 1, 2009 McMackin was suspended for 30 days without pay due to his use of a homophobic slur during an interview.[3]

McMackin resigned from his position of head coach for Hawaii on December 5, 2011, accepting a $600,000 buyout.[4]

Personal life and death

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McMackin died in South Dakota, on February 14, 2023, at the age of 77.[5][6]

Accomplishments

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  • Was Head Coach at Division II Oregon Tech from 1986–89. Led team to #3 ranking and 4 winning seasons on way to 2 coach of the year awards.[7]
  • In 1999, led the University of Hawaii's defense to help orchestrate the biggest single-season turnaround in NCAA football history[8]
  • Named one of the nation's top coaches by American Football Magazine while at Texas Tech.[9]
  • Named Big 12 Conference's top recruiter by Rivals.com[9]
  • As the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, coached seven All-Pro selections, and established a franchise-record for seven interceptions in one game. Overall, Seattle's defense improved from 30th to 8th.[10]
  • As defensive coordinator for the University of Miami, McMackin's defense was ranked first in the nation in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense.[10]
  • Both of Hawaii's WAC championships during former coach June Jones' tenure at Hawaii came during both of McMackin's two years as defensive coordinator for Hawaii.[9]
  • Authored Coaching the Defensive Backfield in 1992, which is in its seventh printing.[11]
  • In 2008, McMackin became the highest paid State of Hawaii employee ($1.1 million) upon becoming the Hawaii Warriors football head coach.
  • Inducted in the Southern Oregon University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Notable players coached

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Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls (Columbia Football League) (1986–1987)
1986 Oregon Tech 5–4 4–2 3rd (Southern)
1987 Oregon Tech 5–4 5–1 1st (Southern)
Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls (Columbia Football Association) (1988–1989)
1988 Oregon Tech 9–3 6–0 1st (Mount Hood) L NAIA Division II Semifinal
1989 Oregon Tech 5–3–1 3–2–1 4th (Mount Hood)
Oregon Tech: 24–14–1 18–5–1
Hawaii Warriors (Western Athletic Conference) (2008–2011)
2008 Hawaii 7–7 5–3 T–2nd L Hawaii
2009 Hawaii 6–7 3–5 T–5th
2010 Hawaii 10–4 7–1 T–1st L Hawaii
2011 Hawaii 6–7 3–4 T–4th
Hawaii: 29–25 18–13
Total: 53–39–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ a b "Honolulu Advertiser: McMackin accepts UH head coaching job". Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Player Bio: Greg McMackin :: Football". Archived from the original on February 11, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
  3. ^ "Hawaii coach suspended 30 days for gay slur". July 31, 2009.
  4. ^ "UH coach Greg McMackin resigns under pressure". December 6, 2011.
  5. ^ HNN Staff (February 14, 2023). "Greg McMackin, former UH football coach, dies at 77". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  6. ^ services, Staff and wire (February 15, 2023). "Former OIT football coach Greg McMackin dies at 77". Herald and News. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "Greg McMackin - Football Coach".
  8. ^ "Warriors defensive transition: hit or miss? - News". Archived from the original on August 5, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c "University of Hawai'i - Office of Intercollegiate Athletics". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  10. ^ a b "University of Hawai'i - Office of Intercollegiate Athletics". Archived from the original on March 23, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
  11. ^ McMackin, Greg (1992). Coaching the Defensive Backfield. Haworth, NJ: Harding Press. ISBN 0-9624779-3-1.
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