Leach Names McMackin Coordinator
December 14, 1999 | Football
Dec. 14, 1999
LUBBOCK, Texas - Shortly after being named head football coach at Texas Tech, Mike Leach said his biggest recruiting task would be to assemble a top-notch staff. He took the initial step toward doing that Tuesday by naming Greg McMackin as defensive coordinator and associate head coach.
McMackin comes to Texas Tech from the University of Hawaii, where he served as defensive coordinator. A veteran of both the collegiate and professional ranks, McMackin spent four years (1995-98) as defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks prior to going to Hawaii.
Hawaii tied the record for the greatest turnaround in NCAA football history in 1999, going from 0-12 in 1998 to 8-4 and a bowl bid this season. The Rainbow Warriors produced 34 turnovers, recorded 33 sacks and scored five defensive touchdowns. Under McMackin the Rainbow Warriors also improved from three interceptions in 1998 to 17 this season.
In 1998 the McMackin-led Seahawks? defense ranked first in the NFL in turnovers (41), second in sacks (51), set a NFL record for defensive touchdowns with 14 and produced three Pro Bowl players.
?We are extremely pleased to have Greg join our Texas Tech staff,? Leach said. ?He is considered the cream of the crop among defensive coaches and will make immediate contributions at Texas Tech.?
Previous collegiate coaching stops for McMackin include Miami (Fla.), Navy, Utah, Oregon Tech, Stanford, San Jose State, Idaho and Western Oregon State. He also served two years on the staff of the Denver Gold of the USFL. He was head coach at Oregon Tech from 1986-90. McMackin?s Miami defenses were first in the nation in total defense and scoring defense.
?I am excited about the opportunity to work with Mike Leach and the Texas Tech family,? McMackin said. ?Texas Tech has a great tradition. My family and I are proud to be a part of it.?
A four-year starter and three-time all-conference selection at defensive back at Southern Oregon, McMackin earned his Bachelor?s Degree from Southern Oregon in 1969 and his Master?s in Education from Arizona in 1970.
McMackin and his wife Heather are the parents of one daughter, Shannon, and have two grandchildren, Kayla and Taylor.