Meet The New Hires: Greg McMackin

2007: Hawaii - Defensive Coordinator
2003-2005: San Fransisco 49ers - Associate Head Coach / Linebackers Coach
2000-2002: Texas Tech - Defensive Coordinator
1999: Hawaii - Defensive Coordinator
1995-1998: Seattle Seahawks - Defensive Coordinator
1993-1994: Miami (Fla.) - Defensive Coordinator
1992: Navy - Defensive Coordinator
190-1991: Utah - Defensive Coordinator
1986-1990: Oregon Tech - Head Coach / Assistant Athletic Director
1985-1986: Denver Gold (USFL) - Secondary Coach
1978-1984: Stanford - Secondary Coach
1976-1978: Idaho - Defensive Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator / Secondary & LB Coach
1973-1976: Western Oregon State - Defensive Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator
1969-1973: Aloha High School - Head Coach / Assistant Coach
1968-1969: Arizona - Graduate Assistant

Greg McMackin took a unique path to one of the most unique posts in football - head coach for the University of Hawaii. McMackin's career has taken him to such positions as an NFL defensive coordinator, defensive coordinator at Navy, head coach at Oregon Tech, and secondary coach for the USFL's Denver Gold. The defensively oriented McMackin has spent much of his career on the other end of the practice field from offensive geniuses. He's spent significant time with June Jones, Mike Leach, Dennis Erickson, Mouse Davis, and Jack Elway.

The combination of the disappointing performance in the Sugar Bowl and the departure of head Coach June Jones left a bad taste in Hawaii's mouth. Given the timing of Jones' depart, it also left the school in a difficult hiring position. However, considering the circumstances, McMackin is an excellent hire.

McMackin has had tremendous success at nearly all of his many stops. In his most recent stint as defensive coordinator at Hawaii, he improved the defense from 93rd nationally in total defense to 33rd in one season. His prior one year stint as Hawaii defensive coordinator saw similar success, improving the defense from 109th nationally to 35th. Other highlights include having the 6th best passing defense at Texas Tech in 2000, finishing 1st in total defense, scoring defense, and passing defense at Miami, and improving Utah's defense from 106th nationally to 1st in the WAC. McMackin is also the author of Coaching the Defensive Backfield. He is a top notch defensive mind.

The hiring of a defensive coach is in contrast to Hawaii's offensive reputation. The man taking over as offensive coordinator is Ron Lee who has served as Hawaii's wide receivers coach for the past nine seasons. Lee comes from the Jones/Davis run-and-shoot school of offense. However, much of his career was spent at St. Louis High School in Hawaii assisting his brother build the school into a dynasty by winning 14 state titles. The Warriors are hoping Lee was a good study in his nine seasons at Hawaii.

Both McMackin and Lee are taking on new roles at an advanced age so their longevity at Hawaii is questioned. While more BCS bowls probably aren't in Hawaii's future, a continued stay near the top of the WAC likely is.