Quotes about GM getting the UH job

Even though only he and GM are being interviewed for the head coaching position, George Lumpkin back GM to be the head coach, saying:
"Mac and I are really close. He's a really good friend. He knows I think he's a great coach." (HA)

GM didn't want to comment until:
"the process is over." (HA)

Lumpkin said that he applied as a way to:
"make sure that one of us is there to keep the staff together." (HA)

HA Note: "If McMackin is hired, Miano, Lumpkin and brothers Carl and Ron Lee are expected to remain on the coaching staff. Strength coach Mel deLaura also will stay. Reinebold is mulling whether to stay or join Jones at SMU. A former player who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation said he was asked about the possibility of joining McMackin's staff. The player said he has not had any direct conversations with McMackin. Jones told one staff member that UH is expected to offer the next head coach a financial package worth more than $1 million a year."

HA Note: "McMackin earned a base salary of $110,000 last year in leading a defense that improved in several key categories from the previous season. McMackin was the defensive coordinator on Jones' first UH staff, in 1999. That team went 9-4, setting an NCAA record for greatest one-season improvement. UH was 0-12 in 1998, Fred vonAppen's last season as head coach. McMackin joined Texas Tech in 2000 after the Red Raiders quadrupled his UH salary. He then coached with the San Francisco 49ers. He did not coach in 2006 while recovering from knee surgery."

HA Note: "McMackin also has served as the defensive coordinator for the University of Miami, which was ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense while he was there, and with the Seattle Seahawks, who then set a National Football League record by scoring 14 defensive touchdowns."

Supporting GM for the job, Solomon Elimimian said:
"Coach Mac is the best man for the job. He has everybody's respect on the team, along with the coaching staff. He knows about the culture of Hawai'i. He knows about us as people. I've talked to a lot of guys on the team, and he's their choice. Coach Mac will bring us together." (HA)

Concerned about a quick coaching hire due to the Feb. 6 Letter of Intent signing day, Jeff Reinbold said:
"Obviously the No. 1 issue (with a quick appointment) is recruiting. We're inside of 30 days. The day to declare for the NFL draft and the Letter of Intent signing day are the two biggest days in college football. It's how we restock the talent pool. You can have great coaches but if you don't have players, you'll struggle to win. The sooner we can put questions about who's going to be the coach, and all the other questions parents and players have, to bed, the sooner we can begin that process. It's not too late." (HA)

HA Note: "The head football coach selection committee is expected to meet with McMackin and UH associate football coach George Lumpkin today, then forward its recommendation to UH President David McClain by mid-afternoon."

About how the assistant coaches have kept in phone contact with recruits, Reinbold said:
"We've been trying, in our own individual ways, to contact players and encourage them not to sign (with another school) yet. There is no need for them to hurry, just let the dealer deal all the cards." (HA)

HA Note: "Reinebold said it will be important to determine how many of the program's "gray shirts" — players who are sitting out a semester to preserve their maximum five years of NCAA eligibility — will honor their commitment to the team. That count will affect the total number of scholarships the team is able to offer."

About how they will probably have 20 recruits this year, less than the 25 maximum, Reinbold said:
"That's why it's so important that we have a quality class. I'm sure we'll have a great class." (HA)

HA Note: "Whether he'll be around to coach them is still up in the air. Reinebold has a standing offer from Jones to join his staff at SMU, but he'll likely have to make a decision quickly: Jones said Sunday that he hopes to finalize that staff this week in order to move forward with recruiting."

Unsure if he'll be at UH or SMU at the end of this week, Reinbold said:
"I'm like the recruits. I don't know what opportunities are out there and I can't make a decision until I know what's on the table. Once I know that, I'll make a decision for my family and for all of the professional considerations that are involved." (HA)