American football player and coach (1945–2023)
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
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
McMackin died on February 14, 2023, at the age of 77.[5]
