Earlier this year, Hawaii coach Greg McMackin was frustrated over his team’s loss to Notre Dame at the Hawaii Bowl. So frustrated that he verbally attacked the Notre Dame fans, referring to their “little faggot dance.”
In July, the Western Athletic Conference slapped McMackin with a 30-day suspension without pay and a 7% cut in his salary. He tearfully accepted the disciplinary action at a press conference July 30.
“I just made a big mistake,” McMackin said. “I apologize to everyone and anyone I offended. I’m committed to do whatever I can as a life lesson to learn from my mistake. When we make mistakes, we have to learn from it and make better people of ourselves. … (I’m) sorry I said something so hurtful and I am so remorseful.”
McMackin specifically apologized to the LGBT community as well.
“I offended the gay and lesbian community and now I want to work with the LGBT community on campus to use this as a teachable moment for me and hopefully others,” he said, fighting back tears. “(I am) very pained and disappointed in myself. I hope to make up for some of the pain … I made a mistake and now I have to show the leadership in dealing with both the football program and building respect for all people in our community.”
