The University of Hawaii suspended head football coach Greg McMackin 30 days without pay and will receive a reduction in his salary after he uttered a gay slur during the Western Athletic Conference’s football media days.
McMackin used the comment while describing Notre Dame’s chant prior to last year’s Hawaii Bowl.
“I made a big mistake,” said McMackin. “I want to apologize to everyone that I offended with my remarks. I’m committed to do whatever I can to use this as a life lesson and to learn from my mistake. When we make mistakes we have to learn from it and make better people of ourselves.”
McMackin said he spoke with Charlie Weis, the head coach at Notre Dame and apologized to him.
The school announced McMackin will personally participate in activities directed at improving the environment for the community through working with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community on campus.
Included will be a public service announcement and part of his money from the salary reduction will be used to the university to support a student intern for the LGBT to conduct awareness training.
“I’m sorry I said something so hurtful and I’m very remorseful,” said McMackin. “I’ve offended the gay and lesbian community and now I’m going to work with the LGBT community on campus to use this as a teachable moment for me and hopefully others.
I’m very pained and disappointed in myself and hope to make up for some of the pain I’ve caused others.”
Despite the suspension, McMackin has agreed to volunteer to coach the team for those 30 days because he doesn’t want the team or the university to be harmed by his mistake.
