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As expected, no official action was taken Sunday by University of Hawaii athletic director Jim Donovan on the uncertain future of Warriors head football coach Greg McMackin. Entering the final year of his contract, McMackin’s fate is in Donovan’s hands.
A decision could come as early as today. Given the tough financial times on campus, it’s difficult for Donovan to eat the $1.1 million due McMackin, but with the team moving into a new conference with a tougher schedule, keeping the four-year head coach could prove problematic for season-ticket sales.
Finding a suitable replacement is another difficult task that faces Donovan if he lets McMackin go. The athletic department is already facing a projected deficit this fiscal year due in part to sparse crowds at Aloha Stadium. Only 30,765 attended the BYU game on a comfortable Saturday afternoon, leaving Donovan in a tough spot that was not addressed prior to the Sunday night football banquet at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
At the banquet, quarterback Bryant Moniz was named the winner of the Alec Waterhouse Award as the UH’s most valuable player. Moniz, a senior from Wahiawa, completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 2,733 yards and 22 touchdowns before suffering a broken ankle against Nevada.
Defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu won the Outstanding Warrior award. Linebacker Corey Paredes won the Ben Yee Most Inspirational Player Award. Freshman Kendrick Van Ackeren, who is redshirting this season, was named the most outstanding scout-team player.
Running back Joey Iosefa, a second-year freshman, was selected as the best newcomer. Player-of-the-year awards went to wideout Royce Pollard for offense, linebacker Aaron Brown for defense and Kamalani Alo for special teams.
The captains’ awards went to Moniz, Pollard, Paredes and strong safety Richard Torres. Defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga was named the top scholar-athlete.