Posted by bambi2godzilla on 1/11/2008, 10:57 am
63.249.102.18
There are some startling revelations in Stephen Tsai's material -- gotta love Colt Brennan with his senior thesis topic -- who's gonna touch him?
Greg McMackin applies for post
Stacy Kaneshiro
Honolulu Advertiser
January 11, 2008
Hawai'i defensive coordinator Greg McMackin confirmed yesterday he has applied for the Warriors' head coaching job left vacated by the departure of June Jones to Southern Methodist.
Hawai'i will begin interviewing for the job Tuesday, the first day after the state-mandated five-day period from the posting of the opening. There are some 30 applicants for the position.
McMackin declined further comment on his interest, but did add that Jones needs to know soon if he will be joining him at SMU. Jones offered his entire UH staff positions at SMU. Sources close to the situation said quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison and running backs coach Wes Suan will join Jones and that offensive line coach Dennis McKnight is considering the same. Jones has yet to announced who will be joining him at SMU. He did not return messages left on his cell phone.
McMackin has received endorsements from fellow assistants and UH players. Also, the UH booster club, Na Koa, endorsed McMackin. Club vice president Ben Yee said, "We needed to be more active. We needed to make a stand (on the selection of Jones' successor)."
McMackin said he has been overwhelmed and appreciated the support he has received the past few days.
Plus
The Warrior Beat
Stephen Tsai
Honolulu Advertiser
January 11, 2008
A fine mess.
When guests are expected, the first thing you do is clean up.
UH officials did not, meaning: 1) They're uncaring hosts. 2) They're trying to make a point.
In either scenario, four state lawmakers finally saw what the past football coach and Heisman-finalist quarterback were griping about for the past 18 months.
The condition of the athletic facilities should not be a surprise.
Colt Brennan pointed them out during the 2006 season, then went national with his comments last spring. June Jones repeatedly spoke of the problems during his nine years as UH head coach.
But Brennan's claims were disputed in a point-by-point counter-point by athletic department officials. That irked Brennan so much he did his senior thesis on the deteriorating conditions. He recorded evidence on video during the 2007 season as proof, he said, in case UH wanted to argue against his claims again.
Even when ESPN2 commentors spoke about the conditions during the UH-Boise State telecast, UH officials insisted that everything was fine and dandy.
And that, as we all knew, wasn't the case.
The thing is, athletic department officials were not to blame for the deteriorating conditions. Things get old, things break down. Hey, I'm old. I broke down. I should be condemned.
And the athletic department did not have enough money for repairs or quality maintenance.
Again, not the AD's fault.
But not reporting the problem is the athletic department's fault. Not e-mailing corcerns (or whatever it is AD officials do in front of their computers all day) was the big mistake.
When athletic department officials were called before lawmakers last spring, it was revealed that only two of their projects even made the priority list.
But lawmakers opened the way, saying if you tell us your prolems, we'll help.
Nobody said anything.
And that's why Jones is gone, there's an AD search, and Brennan received a good grade on his thesis.
Athletic department officials did not commit the crime. But, as we've learned from Law & Order marathons, their inaction — depraved indifference — makes them just as guilty.
AND
What's remarkable is the two best AD candidates were both on campus last year. Riley Wallace and June Jones have great ideas and unbelievable national ties. As Oz told the Tin Man: A heart isn't measured by how much you love, but how much you're loved by others. Whenever I'm on the Mainland and the subject turns to UH sports, people drop Wallace's and Jones' names.
But Jones is gone, and I'm not sure if Wallace wants the job.
The names out there are Rockne Freitas, Rick Blangiardi, Keith Amemiya, Jim Donovan and Dick Tomey.
I like the idea of a combo leadership, although it appears Freitas, Blangiardi and Tomey probably wouldn't agree to be associate ADs. But I can see one of those three paired with Donovan or Amemiya. I think a Donovan/Amemiya ticket would work, too.
The main things are all five have a great understanding of Hawai‘i and its politics, and they are great communicators. One of the frustrations in recent years, according to UH coaches and staff, was the lack of response to suggestions.
These are supposed to be chaotic times at UH. But I've never seen the UH workers seem so upbeat.
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