Greg McMackin is expected to rejoin the University of Hawai'i football team as an assistant coach as early as today.

Today is the end of the state-mandated waiting period to fill the coaching position vacated when Mouse Davis resigned last month.

Davis is now the offensive coordinator at Portland State.

Jerry Glanville also resigned as UH defensive coordinator last month to become PSU's head coach. Dennis McKnight, who is coaching the offensive linemen, replaced Glanville on the staff.

Although McMackin is expected to coordinate the Warriors' defense, as he did in 1999, it is not known if he will hold the defensive coordinator's title.

UH coach June Jones is not allowed to comment publicly until the position is filled.

McMackin, who is attending practices as an unpaid "observer," also declined to comment yesterday.

But McMackin already has made a strong impression on the UH defenders. McMackin first met with the players three weeks ago when he came over as part of a professional-development assignment. He is teaching football classes at Texas Tech.

"He's a real nice guy, you can tell that," weakside linebacker Adam Leonard said. "He knows his football. He told us his philosophy, and what he wants to accomplish as a coach. I like what he has to say."

Safety Jake Patek described McMackin as "a real cool guy, down to earth."

McMackin, who began his coaching career at the prophetically named Aloha High School in Oregon, was the Warriors' defensive coordinator in 1999, Jones' first season as UH head coach.

After that, he was Texas Tech's associate head coach and defensive coordinator for three years.

From 2003 through 2005, he was the San Francisco 49ers' associate head coach. He remained on the 49ers' payroll last year. He turned down other coaching jobs to undergo reconstructive surgery on his right knee.

He recuperated in Lubbock, Texas, where he owns a home. His daughter and grandchildren also live in Lubbock.

He began teaching a class on coaching principles.

McMackin has an extensive — and impressive — resume as a defensive coordinator.

He was defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, helping to set four franchise team records, and at Miami and Navy. His Miami defense was ranked as the nation's best.

McMackin favors a blitzing 4-3 defense, a scheme UH is implementing in spring practice. It was that scheme that helped Jeff Ulbrich develop into an All-Western Athletic Conference linebacker in 1999 and future 49er.

"His defensive package seems pretty good," Patek said. "He's going to take all of the good things we did last year and add a little different flavor."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.