John Mackovic
Encyclopedia
John Mackovic is an American football
coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team
, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup
. Previously, Mackovic served as the head football coach at Wake Forest University
(1978–1980), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
(1988–1991), the University of Texas at Austin
(1992–1997), and the University of Arizona
(2001–2003), compiling a career college football
record of 95–82–3. He was also the head coach from the National Football League
's Kansas City Chiefs
from 1983 to 1986, tallying a mark of 30–34.
in Ohio
as a graduate assistant in 1965. He then served stints as offensive coordinator
at San Jose State University
and the University of Arizona
before serving as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Purdue University
in 1977.
Mackovic earned his first head coaching job in college football
, taking over at Wake Forest
from 1978 to 1980. Prior to his arrival, the Demon Deacons went 1–10; Mackovic led his teams to a 14–20 record, including their first bowl game
in 30 years. In 1979, he was named the Coach of the Year by the Walter Camp Football Foundation
.
In 1981, Tom Landry
hired Mackovic as assistant head coach and quarterback coach with the Dallas Cowboys
, with whom he spent two seasons before accepting a head coaching job with the Kansas City Chiefs
in 1983. Mackovic would later name himself his offensive coordinator, a position he held all four seasons in Kansas City
. Mackovic's first three Chiefs teams missed the playoffs. In his final season, the Chiefs made the playoffs as a wild card, their first playoff appearance in 15 years and only their second since the AFL–NFL merger. However, owner Lamar Hunt
fired Mackovic only days after they were eliminated in the first round due to a lack of chemistry. The catalyst behind Mackovic's dismissal was a meeting between Hunt and eight of the most prominent Chiefs. Mackovic's record with the Chiefs was 30–34.
Following a year off, Mackovic resumed his coaching career when he was hired as the head coach and Athletic Director at the University of Illinois
in 1988. Mackovic took over a team that went 4–7 before his arrival, but with whom Mackovic led to a 30–16–1, four straight bowl appearances and a share of the 1990 Big Ten Conference
title.
Mackovic's previous success of turning around college programs led him to the University of Texas in 1992. Texas had gone from a Southwest Conference title in 1990 to a 5–6 record in 1991. Mackovic won a share of the Southwest Conference title in 1994 and won it outright in 1995. He also won the inaugural Big 12 Championship Game in 1996. A year later, however, the Longhorns were pounded 66–3 by UCLA
, the worst home loss in school history (and the second-worst loss overall). The defeat is known to this day as "Rout 66." They never recovered and finished 4–7. Mackovic was fired after the season. During his tenure, Mackovic led the Longhorns to a 41–28–2 record and three bowl games.
Following his firing at Texas, Mackovic became a college football analyst for ESPN
in 1998 for whom he worked until January 2001, when he accepted the head coaching job for the University of Arizona
. Frustrated by an offense that was perceived as too conservative, Arizona hired Mackovic as head coach to replace Dick Tomey
; however, Mackovic never posted a winning record in two and one-half seasons in Tucson, with a 10–18 record (a .357 winning percentage).
Midway through the 2002 season, Mackovic told tight end Justin Levasseur that he was a disgrace to his family. This and other incidents led 40 players (including future Pro Bowl
er Lance Briggs
) to hold a secret meeting with school president Peter Likins
. The players complained about Mackovic's constant verbal abuse, such as an ugly tirade after a loss to Wisconsin
. Mackovic offered a public apology to his players, the university and fans. However, whatever goodwill that he'd managed to restore quickly evaporated a season later; quarterback Nic Costa said that despite a very talented roster, many players had lost their love for the game due to Mackovic's brusque manner. Five games into the 2003 season, Mackovic was fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz
. School officials said they had to act because it was obvious the Wildcats would not win with Mackovic at the helm.
In 2006, Mackovic again returned to coaching when he was named as the head coach of the U.S. national team
. He led Team USA to win the 2007 IFAF World Cup
in their first appearance in the American Football World Cup
held in Kawasaki, Japan
.
**Fired after 5 games
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team
United States national american football team
The United States national American football team represents the United States in international American football competitions. It is the country's official senior national men's football team. It is controlled by USA Football and is recognized by the International Federation of American Football...
, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup
American Football World Cup
The IFAF World Championship of American Football is an international American football competition held every four years and contested by teams representing member nations. The competition is run by the International Federation of American Football , the international governing body for the sport...
. Previously, Mackovic served as the head football coach at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
(1978–1980), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
(1988–1991), the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
(1992–1997), and the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
(2001–2003), compiling a career college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
record of 95–82–3. He was also the head coach from the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
from 1983 to 1986, tallying a mark of 30–34.
Coaching career
Mackovic's coaching career began at Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
as a graduate assistant in 1965. He then served stints as offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
at San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
and the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
before serving as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in 1977.
Mackovic earned his first head coaching job in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
, taking over at Wake Forest
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
from 1978 to 1980. Prior to his arrival, the Demon Deacons went 1–10; Mackovic led his teams to a 14–20 record, including their first bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
in 30 years. In 1979, he was named the Coach of the Year by the Walter Camp Football Foundation
Walter Camp Football Foundation
The Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also presents various awards.-Awards:*Walter Camp Player of the Year*CT Player of the Year...
.
In 1981, Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
hired Mackovic as assistant head coach and quarterback coach with the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, with whom he spent two seasons before accepting a head coaching job with the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
in 1983. Mackovic would later name himself his offensive coordinator, a position he held all four seasons in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. Mackovic's first three Chiefs teams missed the playoffs. In his final season, the Chiefs made the playoffs as a wild card, their first playoff appearance in 15 years and only their second since the AFL–NFL merger. However, owner Lamar Hunt
Lamar Hunt
Lamar Hunt was an American sportsman and promoter of American football, soccer, basketball, and ice hockey in the United States and an inductee into three sports' halls of fame. He was one of the founders of the American Football League and Major League Soccer , as well as MLS predecessor the...
fired Mackovic only days after they were eliminated in the first round due to a lack of chemistry. The catalyst behind Mackovic's dismissal was a meeting between Hunt and eight of the most prominent Chiefs. Mackovic's record with the Chiefs was 30–34.
Following a year off, Mackovic resumed his coaching career when he was hired as the head coach and Athletic Director at the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
in 1988. Mackovic took over a team that went 4–7 before his arrival, but with whom Mackovic led to a 30–16–1, four straight bowl appearances and a share of the 1990 Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
title.
Mackovic's previous success of turning around college programs led him to the University of Texas in 1992. Texas had gone from a Southwest Conference title in 1990 to a 5–6 record in 1991. Mackovic won a share of the Southwest Conference title in 1994 and won it outright in 1995. He also won the inaugural Big 12 Championship Game in 1996. A year later, however, the Longhorns were pounded 66–3 by UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
, the worst home loss in school history (and the second-worst loss overall). The defeat is known to this day as "Rout 66." They never recovered and finished 4–7. Mackovic was fired after the season. During his tenure, Mackovic led the Longhorns to a 41–28–2 record and three bowl games.
Following his firing at Texas, Mackovic became a college football analyst for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
in 1998 for whom he worked until January 2001, when he accepted the head coaching job for the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
. Frustrated by an offense that was perceived as too conservative, Arizona hired Mackovic as head coach to replace Dick Tomey
Dick Tomey
-External links:* *...
; however, Mackovic never posted a winning record in two and one-half seasons in Tucson, with a 10–18 record (a .357 winning percentage).
Midway through the 2002 season, Mackovic told tight end Justin Levasseur that he was a disgrace to his family. This and other incidents led 40 players (including future Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
er Lance Briggs
Lance Briggs
Lance Marell Briggs is an American football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona.-Early years:A Sacramento native, Briggs attended Elk Grove High...
) to hold a secret meeting with school president Peter Likins
Peter Likins
Peter William Likins was president of the University of Arizona from 1997 until his retirement in summer 2006.Previous posts in order of most recent were:*President of Lehigh University...
. The players complained about Mackovic's constant verbal abuse, such as an ugly tirade after a loss to Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
. Mackovic offered a public apology to his players, the university and fans. However, whatever goodwill that he'd managed to restore quickly evaporated a season later; quarterback Nic Costa said that despite a very talented roster, many players had lost their love for the game due to Mackovic's brusque manner. Five games into the 2003 season, Mackovic was fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz
Mike Hankwitz
Mike Hankwitz is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He is currently the defensive coordinator at Northwestern University, a position he has held since 2008...
. School officials said they had to act because it was obvious the Wildcats would not win with Mackovic at the helm.
In 2006, Mackovic again returned to coaching when he was named as the head coach of the U.S. national team
United States national american football team
The United States national American football team represents the United States in international American football competitions. It is the country's official senior national men's football team. It is controlled by USA Football and is recognized by the International Federation of American Football...
. He led Team USA to win the 2007 IFAF World Cup
2007 IFAF World Cup
The 2007 IFAF World Championship was the third instance of the IFAF World Championship, the quadrennial international American football world championship tournament...
in their first appearance in the American Football World Cup
American Football World Cup
The IFAF World Championship of American Football is an international American football competition held every four years and contested by teams representing member nations. The competition is run by the International Federation of American Football , the international governing body for the sport...
held in Kawasaki, Japan
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, between Tokyo and Yokohama. It is the 9th most populated city in Japan and one of the main cities forming the Greater Tokyo Area and Keihin Industrial Area....
.
College
*John Hancock Bowl coached by Lou TepperLou Tepper
Lou Tepper is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a position he has held since the 2006 season. Previously, tepper served as the head coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Edinboro University of...
**Fired after 5 games