Former UH football coach McMackin dies at age 77 | News, Sports, Jobs

Greg McMackin compiled a 29-25 record as head coach at the University of Hawaii from 2008-11. AP file photo

Former University of Hawaii head football coach Greg McMackin died Tuesday, his family announced on social media. He was 77.

“Today, the world lost the most generous, loving soul to grace this planet,” his granddaughter Kayla posted on Twitter. “Most knew him as Coach Mack but to us he was our Papa.”

She said McMackin passed peacefully “surrounded by his loved ones playing his favorite songs.”

“We love and miss you more than anything,” she wrote.

McMackin served as defensive coordinator at Hawaii during its historic 2007 season during which the Rainbow Warriors posted a 12-0 regular-season record before losing to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Soon after the season ended, McMackin took over as head coach after June Jones left for SMU. In four seasons at the helm, McMackin compiled a 29-25 record at UH, including two Hawaii Bowl appearances and a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship in 2010.

He announced his retirement on Dec. 5, 2011, two days after the Rainbow Warriors wrapped up a 6-7 season. He was eventually replaced by Norm Chow.

McMackin’s 44-year coaching career included two stints as UH defensive coordinator — he was also DC during Jones’ first season with the Warriors in 1999 –as well as college assistant coaching stops at Arizona, Western Oregon State, Idaho, San Jose State, Stanford, Oregon Tech, Utah, Navy, Miami and Texas Tech. He also coached in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks (defensive coordinator, 1995-98) and San Francisco 49ers (linebackers coach, 2003-05).

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