Aloha Coach McMackin,
Much mahalo to you and your family. Having them with you for the upcoming year must be a great feeling. How has your two unbelievable years with Warrior football changed your life and your outlook on life?

Go Warriors!

Coach,

Thank you for taking the time to chat. Let's see, you've reconnected the North Shore pipeline.

Opened your doors to Hawaii High Schools.

Enforced discipline.

Brought in the Super games.

Made your coaches and players work hard this off-season.

Created excitement and renewed interest in Warrior Nation.

And showed your commitment by having your family and a horse move to Hawaii!

Thanks again and much success to you, your coaches and your players.

[F5] [F5] [F5] [F5], here we go
Coach Mack,

Addahknowsports wants to know if you’re a regular or infrequent reader of this blog or other fan boards like it. Mahalo

Coach McMackin, thank you, THANK you for being our coach. I could go on and on; but, just remember that – we LOVE you as our UH Warrior football coach!


If you had three wishes that must be aligned with what you believe will come true for the upcoming season, what would those three wishes be?

Howzit Coach Mac!

June gave the Gators bulletin board material before he left to SMU. Do you think the Gators will come at us with the same intensity as Georgia or more? How do we prepare for that?

Aloha Coach Mack,

Really appreciate you taking the time to participate on the blog today.

What do you feel is the biggest selling point(s) for a recruit to attend the University of Hawaii and how do you counter the negatives (i.e. too far, poor facilities, etc, etc) that other schools must raise when going after the same recruits?

Coach, thanks to you, your coaches and especially the players for all that you folks do for the State of Hawaii.

Hi Coach. Welcome.

Tell me how we can inspire you to higher heights?

Aloha Coach Mack!

So glad you're taking the helm. The Tsaiko group has been wondering if there are any non-million dollar projects we could help with. Like new carpet in your office? You tell us.

Mahalo for being here!

IMUA WARRIORS!

Hello Coach McMackin

Practices-what times(spring)(fall),and are they open to the public?

No questions as yet but thank you for taking on the duties as head coach of the Warriors!

Coach...we're hoping you, your team, coaches, and entire State will have another great year! Is there an area of "concern" for you in this year's team given that the first game is against a National Power?

Coach Mack, do you think the Super Games were effective this offseason?

How are you doing?

Aloha Coach Mac!

Are you planning on hiring a recruiting coordinator? If so, will it be a coach or an administrative position?

Good luck this season...all of Hawaii is behind you!

Welcome to our Hawaii Kai neighborhood. My 12 year old daughter, Winnie, said she will babysit your grandchildren anytime, if they like the Disney Channel, or if its at a UH Warrior Football Game.

Hi Coach Mack!

Looking forward to a great season. Good Luck!

Heard you mention hiring a recruiting coordinator. How are plans coming along?

Thanks for joining us.

no questions as of now, but i just wanted to say good luck this season and for the rest of your career Coach Mack!

Warriors Rule!

I have a suggestion to increase attendance at games. I think you should offer packages to tourist maybe through their accommodations or travel packages for transportation to the game and tickets. When I went to Japan I wanted to watch a baseball game but because of the language barrier I found it too difficult.

Coach Mack, I'm so happy that you were chosen to lead the Warriors. What position(s) on the team do have the greatest concern for?

Dear Coach,
Aloha and thanks for being here. Please see the above link for a tee shirt design. It's a fundraiser for UH football which my friend James is selling. (It's my design.) What do you think of the design and the concept? We are thinking of doing an updated design for next season. Best of luck next season. It looks like you're doing a great job so far.

Coach,

Thank you for staying. I love that you are instilling discipline, while making it fun with Super games. Also, it meant a lot to me that you personally went to Kahuku for an in house visit, and trying to connect with the local principals, athletic directors, FB coaches, and players. I believe this effort will make the world of a difference for the team. As a regular blue colar fan who took a loan to follow the team to NOLA, I feel the same connection with the Warriors and you leading the team. I also feel heart broken about the facilities.

My question is besides buying a season ticket, what can the normal blue colar fan do to help the team? I have a stimulus payment coming from the Feds in August.

Comment from: haka [Visitor]
Aloha Coach McMackin,
Much mahalo to you and your family. Having them with you for the upcoming year must be a great feeling. How has your two unbelievable years with Warrior football changed your life and your outlook on life?

Go Warriors!

The two years that I've been in Hawaii as a coach have been the two greatest years in my 40 years in the coaching profession. The '99 year was such a special year because the team came so far and worked together and developed and ended up being the greatest turnaround in NCAA history and winning the WAC Championship. The 2007 season was even more special because a group of players and coaches came together with ohana and great heart to pull off some great victories, especially on the road, because of their togetherness and love for one another. Players make plays and our players again won a WAC Championship and represented Hawaii in their first BCS bowl game. Both years were special years to me and my family and being here as the head coach is very humbling and exciting for my wife and family and myself.

Comment from: homey ® [Visitor]

Coach,

Thank you for taking the time to chat. Let's see, you've reconnected the North Shore pipeline.

Opened your doors to Hawaii High Schools.

Enforced discipline.

Brought in the Super games.

Made your coaches and players work hard this off-season.

Created excitement and renewed interest in Warrior Nation.

And showed your commitment by having your family and a horse move to Hawaii!

Thanks again and much success to you, your coaches and your players.

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your positiveness and we just need to continue to get better and get a great feeling on our team. Every team has its own personality and this spring we will be developing our personality for this team.

Hi coach Mack. Have you talked to Jinm Donovan? If so what did you discuss?

Aloha Coach Mack,

I just wanted to thank you again for bringing those great prizes to Call the Coach the last time. I was the kid who won the Tim Chang jersey. :-)

Okay, let's ask a totally off-the-wall question: Tell us a little about Cabaret, and what it means to your family.

Howzit head coach Mac,

With all the new recruits and rebuilding, do you think we have a chance at the WAC title again this year?

Thanks for being our coach.

Hi coach Mack. Have you talked to Jinm Donovan? If so what did you discuss?

How does your Head Coaching philosophy (or style) differ from June Jones?

Welcome Coach Mack:

I love that you are OHANA and loved when U said, "we going kick their @zz....

Anymore of those kind of sayings in your repetoire?

haha

Hi Coach!
It's me and family from Big City Diner last Friday. First thank you again for accepting the position of Head Coach, giving all of us hope and moving our program in the right direction. My question is what will we do differently in terms of mental/ physical/spiritual preparation, practice, travel, etc. to not only win in FL but to do so in convincing fashion? We do BELIEVE. Congrats again....Wes, Lisa & Christian.

Just want to say THANK YOU COACH MACK.

Howzit Coach Mack:
Thank for chatting with us. Can you comment on the player from St. Louis involved with the egg throwing incident, namely the status of his scholarship?

What is your focus for this coming season?

Aloha Coach!

Thank you for staying in Hawaii and thank you for taking the time to be with us here today.

You have been the defensive mind of every team you have been with in college and in the pros. Now that you are a head coach how has your approach to coaching changed other than the fact that you have the entire team to monitor and mentor as opposed to the defensive players?

Thanks,
Kevin
Pearl City, HI

P.S. Roland Fujii makes awesome Koa wood work doesn't he? =)

Aloha Coach! Mahalo for what appears to be a seamless transition in taking the helm from Coach Jones.

Last year the defense went from being ranked in the 90's to the 30's. Do you think you can crack the top 20 in defense ranking? The pressure is on the D this year since the "big 5" on offense have left.

Based on some of the players who have been blog guests, it seems like they are committed to win. Good Luck this year!

Do U have a criteria in which you pick your starting lineup for OL and DL?

Hi coach. We appreciate your demeanor and humility.

We'd like to help our team.
Some of your players come from afar and we'd like to treat them as our family too. My kids are grown so we got room. Be glad to play "big brother" to one or more of your student athletes, bring to Hilo, show them our version of paradise. You know, like for spring break, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Be glad to sign up for background check, etc. We want to help you. I'm sure there is more than me wanting to do this for our team members.

Coach,

Last year the defense played outstanding under your defensive schemes. How much more will you open the playbook this season?

How do you rate the QB's that U have at the moment?

Hey WW. Maybe you suggest Coach Mack to say "Geev um", or "Carang dem ala's"

What will be your stradegy for the opening @ the swamp?

How do you motivate and inspire your players?

....eh read the rules...one question...at a time

aloha coach mak!
i just wanted to share a little tidbit with the rest of the warrior nation and something i learned about you. during june's first year here as well as yours, i was one of many curious fans who came out to the lower campus to watch the team practice. as i stood in an out of the way place on the sidelines, you were the only coach who when walking by, acknowledged my presence and you always said hello. as i watched your style of defensive coaching i fell in love with you. when you left after that first year, my heart broke and the defense has never been the same. last year when i heard you came back, i was purely overjoyed and predicted to all of my friends that we would go undefeated and that the defense was going to be awesome. you proved me right. i loved you even more. when coach jones defected to the mainland and you chose to stay because i am sure you felt something special about this place regardless of the condition of the athletic dept. you showed the aloha jj only wa ha'd about. now i love you even more. i know it will be an uphill battle for you in the beginning but please never get discouraged and always remember, you are a native son of these islands regardless of skin color. like the rainbow, we are made up of many colors. much mahalo coach. you truly represent the aloha spirit and of the warrior nation...

Hey WW. Slow down before Princess Leila erase your rights. Only suppose to put one Q atta time.

You have a great mix of asst coaches on your staff. How would you describe you management style?

Sorry coach I am having ISP connection prolblems. RedZone going down but like Warrior football I will be back.

I just wanted to thankyou for the email that you sent me thanking me for supporting you. I thought it was really cool of yo to do so.

Have a nice chat.

wildwahine has gone wild, she did not read ST post at the beginning of the chat

wildwahine: You're supposed to wait until your first question is answered, then you can ask your second. :-)

Comment from: Chicken Grease [Visitor]

Coach McMackin, thank you, THANK you for being our coach. I could go on and on; but, just remember that – we LOVE you as our UH Warrior football coach!


If you had three wishes that must be aligned with what you believe will come true for the upcoming season, what would those three wishes be?

1) That we win the WAC Championship 2) That we go to a bowl game 3) and that all our players graduate.

hi kaimuki boy, eh wat u been reading my posts or wat? Nah I miss u folks @ tombo's.LOL
hi coach, me and kb R buds.

Coach Mack got his own sayings I just want to get some classic saying that I can borrow........az all.

Thanks again Coach for making us laugh and yet being serious for the team to be a great team in the WAC next season.

KB U gonna git it, u wait!

Hi coach.

Don't feel overwhelmed. and don't show the chick next to you that you're starting to cry because of all the love pouring on you. Its all good. We feel really good that you are one of us. Thank you.

Coach Mack,
Are you still gonna call the D or is that gonna be Coach Lee's job now?

Mahalo for your time and dedication!

Those're terrific. Thanks, Coach McMackin.


Is there anything that you want Warrior fans to know about your rules of discipline for the U.H. Warrior football team? I don’t mean to pry, it’s just that the subject has been in the news lately (i.e., Graunke, and Jones [not Coach, of course]).


(and, if I can second Jason's first question -- good one, Jason, 'bout Cabaret).

Aloha Coach Mack,

Thanks for staying with us here in Hawaii and continuing our Warrior Tradition. We are in good hands with you as our head coach!

Do you think you too might surprise everyone and do the haka for the fans at a home game?

Comment from: Momi [Visitor]
Howzit Coach Mac!

June gave the Gators bulletin board material before he left to SMU. Do you think the Gators will come at us with the same intensity as Georgia or more? How do we prepare for that?

I think Florida and Georgia will be two of the top five ranked teams in the country next year. They are an excellent, well-coached football team and they are going to give us everything they have as we are going to give them everything we have. We have great respect for the University of Florida and their Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow but we're going down there with the attitude that we're going to win the ballgame.

Wildwahine, howzit titah. Yeah, been reading dem. We been missing each other. No go amok on me? K?

??? why u picking on one wahine? inspire & motivate same smell, ooh u guys, eh Tsai? I neva come long time, I come & den dey like beat me up.....bring it ON, not now, eh let Coach Mack chat.....
egads......

Coach when UR players rag one team member how do U get them to settle down?

Thanks! I appreciate YOU being here! and being our HEAD COACH! Go Warriors. haha

Coach Mack,

Awesome to have you as the new UH head football coach. By living New Jersey, it is rather tough to catch the games on TV because here they last till 3 in the morning.
My question: Besides the Florida game this year, would it be possible to maybe see Hawaii play someone on the east coast in the future? I've just got to see the warriors play in person!

Conor P.
Ridgewood, NJ

Coach Mac, did you hug your chancellor today, its her birthday...

Coach, Florida was national champs in 1996 and 2006. They return with Tebow, loads of talent and a great coach. Do you have a special message for our players and coaches to get them ready to play in the Swamp - which Florida has sold out for the last 15 seasons and they have a high (.9114) winning percentage?

Wild wahine, no get hot. Its all good. The post by ST said one Q, then after answer can ask another Q. Dat's all. We all Warrior fans supporting Coach MacK.

Coach,

What will the consequences be for player Keenan Jones? Will his extension be taken away?

Comment from: Ruggo [Visitor]
Aloha Coach Mack,

Really appreciate you taking the time to participate on the blog today.

What do you feel is the biggest selling point(s) for a recruit to attend the University of Hawaii and how do you counter the negatives (i.e. too far, poor facilities, etc, etc) that other schools must raise when going after the same recruits?

Coach, thanks to you, your coaches and especially the players for all that you folks do for the State of Hawaii.

The feature that Hawaii has that other schools don't have is Hawaii itself. The beauty, the people, the passion, the attitude, the togetherness, the family, all the positive things that Hawaii has, is easy to recruit to. I believe that in our administration, President McClain, Chancellor Hinshaw, Jim Donovan, I believe they will guide our facilities in a positive direction so we can not only have the beauty and passion and people of Hawaii but the facilities that we compete against in recruiting versus Mainland schools.

eh kb, ralvic, ralph, my apologies, just got too excited with Coach Mack being here chatting with us. He is our Mc Mackin Attackin, and I love him SO WAT is wrong with that? He is a great role model, family man, humble and to top it off, he is OUR HEAD coach.........eh, brahdahs, U lucky I one chick or I would be on the field playing. so NO ACT. sorry Mack! LOL j/k

Coach,

first congrats again on getting the HC position. you were the right person to be the next leader of the warriors.

my questions; at the spring scrimmage will it be basic offense vs basic defense or will new "suff" be shown?

HAPPY B-DAY CHANCELLOR HINSHAW. :)

wild wahine, U crack my ribs up.

Stephen,
This is really slow...I think best would be for everyone to submit one question the day before and Coach or whoever is in the seat to answer from those....

Comment from: bighilofan2 [Visitor]
Hi Coach. Welcome.

Tell me how we can inspire you to higher heights?

I believe the most important factor to inspire our football team is buying season tickets, filling up our stadium and everybody showing ohana to our team because we are fortunate enough to be Hawaii's team and represent all of Hawaii and Hawaii people. When we come back from Florida it would be awesome to have 50,000 people in the stands for the Weber State game. We know how important this is because of last year's thrilling season and great support through the perfect season and to the Sugar Bowl. The players thrived off of the fans and it was an awesome situation.

oh sorry to Jason and all the posters, I do not mean to offend. I just haven't been here for last couple days as all, some with Rocky ystdy. I not asking questions now. Just apologizing. sorry, forgive me. dumb girl.lol

Welcome, Coach, to the Tsaiko Ohana, thanks for coming.

With you taking over, our hopes have actually increased, rather than diminished.

Question: The Gator trip, considering how far and brutal the flight is, do you plan on going over early to acclimate and get rid of jet-lag?

The Gators are bragging how they will run up the score, PLEASE, BEAT THE GATORS !!!

Hi Coach,

I shook your hand at the Marriot in New Orleans and you were so gracious.

While watching the warmups, I noticed Georgia had very disciplined warm up and drills. Even their entrance was very "pro" like.

Including the warm up drills, what did you learn from the Sugar Bowl,that you plan to implement in this team?

Comment from: Mei Ling [Visitor]
Aloha Coach Mack!

So glad you're taking the helm. The Tsaiko group has been wondering if there are any non-million dollar projects we could help with. Like new carpet in your office? You tell us.

Mahalo for being here!

People have been so great and positive and compassionate about helping us. Obviously everything helps and your thoughts are very much appreciated.

Comment from: ralvic [Visitor]
Hello Coach McMackin

Practices-what times(spring)(fall),and are they open to the public?

They will be 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and they will be open to the public. Especially kids.

Coach,

This is not really a question, but I hope you film a PSA to air on TV at the stadium about fan behavior in the stands and paper throwing.

We have made our mark on the map so we should ban the paper throwing. This makes our field look terrible.

eh KB, U crack me up, help, put me together I fell apart oh NO! LOL.

Comment from: bumbuchaMusubi [Visitor]
Coach...we're hoping you, your team, coaches, and entire State will have another great year! Is there an area of "concern" for you in this year's team given that the first game is against a National Power?

We have to rebuild our offense. We lost a star quarterback and four outstanding receivers and two starting offensive linemen. I'm confident in Ron Lee and the players that we have in our program. We will evaluate them this spring and complement them during the summer and fall camp with recruits. But it is very important that we come together as an offense and learn the fundamentals and techniques of our offense and continue to improve. Defensively, we have a veteran group back and we are going to work on continuing to get better but we are very confident in our players and we need to win early on defense. We want to be an attacking, swarming defense that gang tackles and makes big plays with emotion. I'm very confident in our defensive coaches and we will be a very physical attacking defense and I'm very confident in our players. I feel we have as good a front 7 as anyone in the country. I said last year we had one of the best linebacker groups in the country and they are all back this year. We have Ryan Mouton as well as a good safety group. So I'm very optimistic that we will continue to get better.

Thank you for rescuing Warrior Nation from the despair that we experienced in early January 2008.

Please tell us something about Greg McMackin, the man, not the coach. What sorts of things do you like to do for your personal enjoyment; is there any non-football thing that you'd like to do in Hawaii, but haven't yet had the chance?

Mango90, good comment. I also think the fans need to turn in the person to the stadium ushers to be removed from the stadium.

hello Coach McMackin

As Head Coach,say in a future Bowl game,are you of the mindset of taking advantage of all of your alloted practices at the venue you are playing the game at.With that being said did it bother you that Coach Jones didn't take full advantage of practicing at the Superdome as he could have?

Coach, how do you plan on containing Tebow & their spread option offense?

Howzit Coach - Thanks for joining us today.

My question, you sing karaoke??

Coach, Im very happy that you are taking over the team. You were my first choice as soon as coach Jones left. I just had one comment. I have been a season ticket holder for years. I also have family members that have played for the team in the past. One of the things that I loves about the home games is the eo na toa chants on the speakers. I know that you have done away with the clothing brand side. But I hope that you are going to keep this. From a fans point of view this is a big deal in getting the crowd going. Especially the D. Please consider. Thanks and good luck.

Comment from: YpoWarrior [Visitor]
Coach Mack, do you think the Super Games were effective this offseason?

I was very pleased with the results of the Super Games. Because I thought it got our team together, broke the monotony of just working the weights every day and allowed the players to have some fun, yet they were able to get great workouts and compete against each other. I think it helped us academically because guys won or lost points because of academics and it allowed us to compete against one another and get to know other players on our team. It also allowed us to develop leadership as we had 10 captains which is very important for our team's identity.

I heard that the computer lab in the athletics area was still not completed (this was in Jan.) Is that still true? Would the student-athletes have time to use it? It seems that their schedules are pretty full.

mango90, it is about the football team winning not the way the noaloha looks? U go to see the paper or the game brah or sistah? I go foa da game no care as long not rocks or bottles, li dat. wow lau lau, wat da paper need one psa, waste time U! sorry coach, for other fans wasting UR precious time, coach coaches, talk to the janitors at the stadium.......whoa.

Thanks for staying Coach Mack. It's gonna be a great new era of Warrior football.

My question: It's been said you like poke. Which variety's your favorite?

Comment from: Eagle [Visitor]
Aloha Coach Mac!

Are you planning on hiring a recruiting coordinator? If so, will it be a coach or an administrative position?

Good luck this season...all of Hawaii is behind you!

Thanks for your comment about Hawaii being behind me. I very much feel the love and ohana that the state has put out and I'm very humbled and respectful of this.
I am planning on hiring a person who will help us with recruiting. We are currently writing up the job description and recruiting is going to be one of our most important factors. We will have a foundation of recruiting in Hawaii to complement our recruiting with contacts on the Mainland.

coach mack...
you are ushering in a new and exciting era for the university of hawaii. its like getting double chocolate cake and french vanilla ice cream for your birthday.

coupled with jim donovan, we, the warrior hopeful have so much anticipation for this coming season. we believe it will be another great year.

next year we lose one third of our active roster due to graduating seniors. do we have enough guys who can continue to contribute or do we need to address the 2009 recruiting year again with junior college transfers and when do you see us recruiting 85% incoming freshmen?

mahalo...you have been a Godsend!

Aloha Coach Mac,

MAHALO for your time and efforts.

Being from the outer islands how can someone help UH sports in general and more specifically the football team? It's been said, subscribe to PPV or donate money, but in many cases, this may not be possible.

WW, the players could get hurt slipping on the paper, and the paper can make a difference in the game.

Aloha, Coach Mack,

First want to tell you how happy and amped-up my entire ohana feels about your serving as head coach. There was that momentary collective wince when Coach Jones left, as you know... BUT that chapter is ancient history now, as the positive changes and initatives we've witnessed under your leadership have made us just as excited as ever about Warrior football!

Now to my question:

What — to YOU, coach — will be the measures of a successful season?

In other words, everyone naturally will be looking at the win-loss column. But what OTHER measures to are MOST important to you — fan attendance, holding teams to a certain average yardage, graduation rate, GPAs, completion of certain capital improvements on campus, or...?


Thanks for your time here, coach! We are very grateful.

Coach, are you practicing pronouncing all the polynesian names on the team? You seem like a guy that prides himself in being respectful to your players, culture, etc.

Comment from: Blackie [Visitor]
Coach Mack, I'm so happy that you were chosen to lead the Warriors. What position(s) on the team do have the greatest concern for?

Competition will be very stiff at the quarterback position, receiver positio