Negotiations for a contract extension have been tabled until the end of this football season after University of Hawaii officials rejected head coach Greg McMackin’s offer to take a $250,000-a-year pay cut.
McMackin is in the fourth season of a five-year contract that pays $1.1 million annually. During that time, he took voluntary salary reductions totaling $154,000.
The sides have been negotiating since last November on a two-year extension.
During a recent meeting, McMackin offered to reduce his salary to $850,000 annually during the two additional years, with the $250,000 savings distributed among his nine assistant coaches.
But high-ranking UH officials met recently, and they voted to table negotiations until after the Warriors’ final game of the season. No meetings with UH officials and McMackin’s representatives are scheduled.
UH athletic director Jim Donovan said: "I would describe it as still being in progress."
Unless there is a change of plans, the UH coaches will enter the heart of recruiting with no guarantees they will be running the Warriors in 2013.
In January 2008, McMackin succeeded June Jones, who resigned after nine seasons to become Southern Methodist’s head coach. McMackin was hired three weeks before national signing day for recruits.
Jones’ salary was $800,000, half of which was paid from private donations, in the final year of his UH contract. He turned down UH’s final offer of $1.7 million annually to accept SMU’s $2-million-a-year offer. UH then made McMackin the initial $1.1-million-a-year offer it made to Jones. McMackin’s salary is paid fully by the athletic department.
McMackin was 23-18 during his first three UH seasons. In comparison to his predecessors, for the first three UH seasons Jones was 21-16, Fred VonAppen 5-31, Bob Wagner 23-13-1 and Dick Tomey 17-16.
The Warriors are 2-2 this season.
Austin still No. 2 on depth chart behind Moniz
Despite a second consecutive impressive performance, David Graves still has not been named the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Bryant Moniz.
"I think we’ll evaluate that week to week," offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said. "It depends on the situation."
Entering training camp, Shane Austin, a fifth-year senior, was listed as the primary backup. Austin won his only start, in 2009, when he threw for 299 yards against San Jose State, and played well in relief last season.
But in the past two games, Graves, a third-year sophomore, was the first quarterback summoned after Moniz departed. Against Nevada-Las Vegas, Graves completed all five of his passes for 51 yards, and scored on 1-yard rush.
This past Saturday against UC Davis, Moniz exited after throwing seven touchdown passes in staking the Warriors to a 49-0 halftime lead.
Graves was the Warriors’ quarterback to open the second half. Graves completed nine of 15 passes for 60 yards. He also rushed four times for 56 yards and a touchdown.
"I think Dave’s closed the gap," Rolovich said. "He’s a true competitor. He has high energy. He plays like he’s a kid. He’s improved within the offense so much."
Rolovich added "We know Shane can do a lot of good things."
With Moniz and Austin completing their eligibility after this season, Rolovich said, the "smart thing to do" is give reps to candidates for the 2012 quarterback’s job.
Rolovich said he will try to give work to Cayman Shutter, who completed a 13-yard pass against UC Davis.
Kevin Spain has been improving after recovering from last year’s shoulder surgery.
Jeremy Higgins and Stump Godfrey are not eligible to play in games this year after transferring from Division I schools.
O-lineman Winchester-Makainai sits this one out
Offensive lineman Chauncy Winchester-Makainai (knee) was medically cleared to play but did not suit up for Saturday’s game. He did not practice this week.
Winchester-Makainai is expected to be included on the 66-player travel roster for Saturday’s game against Louisiana Tech.
Winchester-Makainai likely will be used at right guard, where he was No. 1 exiting training camp, although he is capable of playing every line position.
