New quality-control football coach has University of Hawaii ties

COURTESY JOHNNIE MACK

Johnnie Mack:

Named quality-control coach under WR coach

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The University of Hawaii football team enters the offseason with a full coaching staff.

Johnnie Mack, who has ties to former and current UH coaches, has been hired as a quality-control coach for offense. Mack will work under receivers coach Andre Allen.

For the first time since 2001, the Rainbow Warriors retained all the full-time coaches from the previous season. This spring, the Warriors filled two graduate-assistant positions by hiring Rafael Aguilar from American River College and promoting Va‘a Niumatalolo from intern. Mack joins Woody Blevins and Kolney Cassel as quality-control coaches.

“I’m here to serve and do whatever it takes to help this offense and this team reach the highest potential,” Mack said.

Allen coached Mack and UH coach Nick Rolovich at City College of San Francisco. At the end of the 1999 season, Rolovich transferred from CCSF to UH, where he was the quarterback for two seasons. After completing his junior college eligibility in 2001, Mack transferred to Texas Tech, where he was a running back and kickoff returner.

Several years after that, Mack, who was living in Dallas, joined SMU as a strength/conditioning assistant. At the time, former UH head coach June Jones and strength/conditioning coordinator Mel deLaura were with the Mustangs.

“Working for June and those guys, it was a great experience for me,” Mack said.

The stint at SMU sparked Mack’s drive to coach, leading to a graduate-assistant position at East Central (Ada, Okla.) University, and coaching jobs at North Texas and Houston Baptist.

Mack said he could not turn down an opportunity join the Warriors.

“Once (Rolovich) called, that was like a no-brainer for me,” Mack said. “The history we have with the City College connection. Rolo as a person, if anybody gets a chance to meet him in person, who wouldn’t want to work for a guy like that? … I know how Rolo takes care of his guys. And I believe in everything he believes in.”

Mack said he met with all the coaches on Monday. Many of them recently returned from recruiting trips on the mainland. “Everybody welcomed me with open arms,” Mack said.

Mack also was able to take a quick tour of Oahu this past weekend.

“It was life-changing, man,” Mack said. “Just seeing the diversity out here. The beautiful weather. I’m from Florida. I’m a tropical guy. But this is like Florida times two. I’m enjoying myself.”