Hawai'i defensive coordinator Greg McMackin confirmed yesterday he has applied for the Warriors' head coaching job left vacated by the departure of June Jones to Southern Methodist.

Hawai'i will begin interviewing for the job Tuesday, the first day after the state-mandated five-day period from the posting of the opening. There are some 30 applicants for the position.

McMackin declined further comment on his interest, but did add that Jones needs to know soon if he will be joining him at SMU. Jones offered his entire UH staff positions at SMU. Sources close to the situation said quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison and running backs coach Wes Suan will join Jones and that offensive line coach Dennis McKnight is considering the same. Jones has yet to announced who will be joining him at SMU. He did not return messages left on his cell phone.

McMackin has received endorsements from fellow assistants and UH players. Also, the UH booster club, Na Koa, endorsed McMackin. Club vice president Ben Yee said, "We needed to be more active. We needed to make a stand (on the selection of Jones' successor)."

McMackin said he has been overwhelmed and appreciated the support he has received the past few days.

Chow, Texas defensive secondary coach Duane Akina (Punahou graduate), New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, UH linebackers coach Cal Lee and San Jose State coach Dick Tomey were recommended replacements by Jones in his resignation letter to UH.

But Tomey, who coached UH from 1977 to 1986, on the Spartans' Web site yesterday, said he had not made official contact with UH. The release said he is focusing on recruiting for the Spartans for the upcoming season. It had been speculated that Tomey would be a viable candidate for both the head football coaching position and athletic director's job, which also became vacated with the firing of Herman Frazier.

"My wife, Nanci, and I have a home in Hawai'i; it is a special place for us. I have said all along that Hawai'i is the only place we would consider relocating to and at some point in our future, we will," Tomey said in the release.

The release added that Tomey had been attending the American Football Coaches Association convention in Anaheim, Calif., where he was elevated to First Vice President of the association.

Also, Saint Louis School alumnus Brian Cabral told The Advertiser he has not applied for the job.

"Although I would like to someday return to Hawai'i to coach, I will not be pursing" the UH job, said Cabral, who just completed his 19th season as an assistant with the Colorado Buffaloes.

EX-WARRIOR AT CAMP

Former UH defensive back Leonard Peters, who is with the Chicago Bears practice squad, will be a guest instructor at this weekend's Hawai'i Speed and Quickness camp at the UH athletic complex

The sessions are from 8:30 to 10 a.m. tomorrow and Sunday. Registration each day is 8 a.m. The fee is $10 per session.

For information, visit www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.