WAC reprimands Hawaii coach McMackin for using slur in describing Notre Dame cheer

WAC reprimands Hawaii coach for using slur

HONOLULU — The Western Athletic Conference is reprimanding Hawaii coach Greg McMackin for his derogatory comment while describing Notre Dame’s chant before last year’s Hawaii Bowl.

The university already has suspended McMackin for 30 days without pay. He’s volunteered to take an additional 7 percent pay cut from his $1.1 million salary.

The coach also has apologized for using the gay slur during a media briefing last week at the WAC football preview in Salt Lake City.

The WAC said Monday it reprimanded McMackin for violating the conference’s sportsmanship code. The league says any further violations will result in a minimum one-game suspension.

“Coach McMackin’s comments were clearly offensive, violated the WAC Code, and are not condoned by either Hawaii or the WAC,” WAC commissioner Karl Benson said in a statement.

Benson said he appreciates the quick and decisive actions by Hawaii Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and athletic director Jim Donovan,” as it has made my job in processing this very unfortunate situation much easier.”