Skip to content
Reading time: 2 minutes

Greg McMackin

University of Hawaiʻi head football coach Greg McMackin announced his retirement during a press conference at the Stan Sheriff Center on December 5. McMackin’s 44-year coaching career included the past four seasons as head coach of the Warriors and two different stints as UH’s defensive coordinator.

Hawaiʻi has meant a lot to my family and me, ” McMackin said. “I appreciate Chancellor Hinshaw giving me the opportunity to be the head football coach at the University of Hawaiʻi. I have decided to retire from my position at this time. I believe in my players and their potential for success. In their honor, I am foregoing $500,000 in the final year of my contract which I hope will help strengthen the UH football program. I want to thank my players, coaches, staff and the good people of Hawaiʻi.”

A national search for McMackin’s replacement will begin immediately. Associate head coach Rich Miano will serve as interim head coach.

“I respect his decision to retire from this position at this time and understand that he continues to think about the best direction for his team now, as he always has,” UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said.

A legacy on the field and in the classroom

McMackin compiled a 29-25 record with Hawaiʻi and led the Warriors to a pair of Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl appearances in 2008 and 2010. Last season, he guided UH to a 10-win season and share of the Western Athletic Conference championship, just the fourth in the program’s history.

Under McMackin, UH’s Academic Progress Rate rose significantly and was among the highest in the WAC and among schools in the western United States. He also was instrumental in establishing the bridge program at UH, allowing new student-athletes to get a head start on their degrees.

“From last year’s WAC Championship to the greatly improved APR scores, Coach Mack has accomplished so much, ” UH Athletics Director Jim Donovan said. “He set the future for UH football.”

For more, read the UH Athletics department website.

Back To Top