Hey friends … you might want to read this, because this is a true story.
In a world polluted by cell phones, infomercials, texting, andendless talking-head diatribe, there exists, on an island, no less, somebodywith values.
The kind of person your dad or mom once told you about, butperhaps you’ve given up finding them.
The kind of person you trust your heart with, perhaps even acareer. The kind of person whom you call in the middle of the night because youdon’t have the answer you’re seeking.
Please pay attention, because it only gets better from here.
Once in a while, I actually listen to my messages. Mylong-time friend Jeff Toomire hates me because I don’t do it more often.
In the midst of the chaos we all call life, good things do happen,and my good thing emerged with a single phone call that I actually missed.
“J. David … this is Coach Mack from Hawaii … I’m just calling totell you that I respect you, your wife, your family, and if you need anything,just call.”
Are you kidding me? Like Coach Mack needs anything from me?
Understand, Coach Mack is one of the hardest-working coaches infootball, and I’ll get to that in a second. The great thing about assistantcoaches who become head coaches is that they appreciate the journey and the 30years or so they spent to get there. An assistant coach can just coach hisplayers. He is protected from the media and the fanfare. A head coach is alightning rod … everything they say and do is held against them. Assistantcoaches understand that if the engine has a quart low, the engine might fail. Ahead coach must live with the results of his assistant coaches.
Head coaches have to juggle the whole deal and keep the balls inthe air.
I met Coach Mack way back in 1984, when he was a secondary coachfor the Denver Gold of the failed United States Football League. Coaching then,and after all these years, still coaching now. The man never stops coaching,but what you’re about to read has nothing to do with football, though you mightbe surprised.
Listen, I was on the Hawaii bench when Florida waswhipping the crap out of the Warriors. Never in my life did I see aharder-working staff, from Coach Mack to Rich Miano to Cal Lee to GeorgeLumpkin. Odds stacked against them – Florida’s three million dollarrecruiting budget – against Hawaii’s long-distance phone bills. But therethey were, working, like it was the Super Bowl. Miano knows – he picked offTroy Aikman twice, and is the only man in history to do it, so he understandslong odds.
I will never forget, after the Gators and a kid named Tebowscored again, Coach Mack settling his defense down on a set of folding chairs.He was glistening with sweat, headphones around his ears. Capture this moment:
“We did not come all this way to quit,” he said. “Stayin your lanes. Protect your space. Don’t give up the cheap underneath stuff.And keep fighting. We play as a team.”
Always coaching. Eyes on the prize. Sound serious? Stick around.
Sure, the Hawaii Warriors are in transition. Sure,they built a legacy under June Jones, Mouse Davis, Colt Brennan, and DevoneBess. But let’s face it: Time goes on, and who better to accept that role thanGreg McMackin?
So I called him back. Thought I would again possibly learnsomething.
I had 20 minutes on the phone with him. He didn’t talk aboutCover Two or Cover Three, or even how he’s coaching his corners to be morephysical. He talked about Heather, his bride, his three dogs and three cats,and his grandchildren kept interrupting our conversation.
Greg speaks with a politician’s rasp. He understates every word,but you know he means it.
“Listen … (pause) … what makes this place special is the people… from the valets to the firemen, to the police … these are the real heroes ofthe island …”
But coach, what about your defense?
“What makes me get up every day is the responsibility to do well…”
“We are on a rock, but it’s paradise.”
“I teach my players that everybody can’t be the startingquarterback. Everybody can’t be the guy. But collectively, we are all one.”
Wow. Damn, the Denver Gold still live, because I can still seehim, headphones around his ears, grabbing guys with names like Nate Miller,Calvin Loeveall, and Lance Shields, sweating his ass off, and reassuring fansthat we still have a chance to win it.
Can we put Coach Mack in the White House?
Trust me, Hawaii, Coach Mack will find a way to win.
And while he’s being polite, don’t forget that you are talkingto a guy who coached Ray Lewis., arguably the angriest, nastiest, and bestmiddle linebacker ever.
Mouse, June, and now Coach Mack.
The beat goes on.
