The Greg McMackin era came to a close Monday. After four seasons, the UH football coach retired with a year remaining on his contract.
The 66-year-old McMackin was due to earn $1.1 million in the final season of his five-year deal, but is accepting a $600,000 buyout as part of a negotiated agreement.
McMackin announced his resignation at a press conference late Monday afternoon.
The man known affectionately as "Mack" took over the program in 2008, following the departure of June Jones, for whom he had served as a defensive coordinator in '99 and ‘07.
He now steps down after accumulating a 29-and-25 record through four years which included two appearances in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, both losses, and a share of the WAC championship in 2010, just the 4th in program history.
But a 6-and-7 effort in a season where Hawaii was predicted to repeat as WAC champs, forced him to take notice of the writing on the wall.
UH athletics director Jim Donovan said the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
Associate head coach Rich Miano, who is expected to be a candidate for the vacancy, has been named the interim head coach.
Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw wanted to say mahalo to McMackin.
He entered the position shortly after she arrived at UH.
The chancellor also praised McMackin for his emphasis on academics … making sure the student athletes graduate.
She said McMackin is the only football coach she knows of who came to graduation dressed in gown.
