HONOLULU ? Hawaii coach Greg McMackin retired Monday after a disappointing 6-7 season and missing the postseason for the second time in his four years leading the Warriors.
An emotional McMackin made the announcement at a news conference with dozens of players watching on. He met earlier in the day and Sunday night with athletic director Jim Donovan and Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw to discuss his future.
"Hawaii has meant a lot to my family and me," said McMackin, reading off a brief prepared statement without taking questions. "I have decided to retire from my position at this time. I believe in my players and their potential for success."
Associate coach Rich Miano will serve as interim coach until a replacement is selected. A search committee will be formed to launch a nationwide search for a new coach.
McMackin just completed the fourth year of his five-year contract that pays him a base pay of $1.1 million annually. He will forego $500,000 owed in his final year, "which I hope will help strengthen the UH football program," he said.
"I want to thank my players, my coaches, the staff and the good people of Hawaii," McMackin said. "I wish you well. Mahalo."
McMackin was 29-25 overall at Hawaii, including 0-2 in bowl games, with one winning season in 2010.
The Warriors lost at home Saturday to Brigham Young, 41-20, finishing one win shy of earning an automatic berth to their hometown Hawaii Bowl.
Coming off a 10-win season, Hawaii began this year favored to win the Western Athletic Conference and with high hopes behind its star quarterback Bryant Moniz. But Hawaii was plagued by inconsistency and injuries.
With each loss, calls for McMackin's ouster grew and attendance at home games plummeted.
Donovan said McMackin's decision was voluntary and stressed that the coach was not forced to resign.
He and Hinshaw thanked McMackin for his service, including improving his student-athlete academic progress rates.
"I respect his decision to retire from this position at this time and understand that he continues to think about the best direction for his team now, as he always has," Hinshaw said. "I am grateful for his many contributions and wish him and his family the very best in their future."
McMackin previously served as Hawaii's defensive coordinator under former coach June Jones who left for Southern Methodist shortly after leading the Warriors to the Sugar Bowl in 2007.
Shortly after Jones' departure, Hawaii signed McMackin to a five-year deal that increased his base salary by 10 times to $1.1 million annually, making him the highest paid coach in school history.
McMackin also served as the San Francisco 49ers' linebackers coach from 2003-05. Before that, he was the defensive coordinator for three seasons at Texas Tech. He was also the defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks from 1995-98 and at several colleges, including Miami.
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