TUCSON, ARIZ. — His voice choking with emotion, Arizona football coach John Mackovic admitted Wednesday that he's made some major mistakes in dealing with his players and assistant coaches, and he vowed to do a better job.
The Wildcats are 3-7 and 0-6 in the Pac-10, and when the school called an afternoon news conference, there was widespread speculation that the coach might step down. A Tucson radio station even reported that he would quit.
The 59-year-old Mackovic, who's in the second year of a five-year contract that pays him $800,000 per year, said he would not resign but would work to improve his communication with his team.
"This afternoon I have met with my coaches and our team separately to express my feelings and regrets," he said. "I'm terribly sorry for my part in this turmoil and unrest. I accept full responsibility for my actions and pledge to work tirelessly to mend any fences."
Mackovic's extraordinary news conference came after more than 40 of his players asked for and received a meeting with university president Peter Likins on Tuesday night to air their complaints about the coach. Mackovic said he was unaware of the meeting until afterward.
The players complained that Mackovic verbally abused them, and they said there was no joy in playing for him.
After the players met with Likins, he called athletic director Jim Livengood, who met with Mackovic for about 90 minutes Tuesday night. Livengood said Mackovic asked whether he should resign, and the athletic director told him no.
Livengood, who hired Mackovic after Dick Tomey resigned following the 2000 season, was asked how secure the coach's job was beyond the final two games of this season.
Arizona coach John Mackovic wipes away a tear during a news conference. Mackovic admitted that he's made some mistakes and vowed to do a better job. Mackovic's news conference Wednesday in Tucson, Ariz., came after more than 40 of his players met with university president Peter Likins on Tuesday night to air their complaints about the coach.
"Very," Livengood said, adding that all coaches are routinely evaluated at the end of every season.
Mackovic said the problems stem from his behavior following the team's loss at Wisconsin on Sept. 21.
"I said many things that were inappropriate for that time and place," he said. "Most importantly, I allowed my emotions to get control of me. I've always placed high standards on my conduct, as well as my team's. On that day and on other days, I have failed to live up to my own standards."
The Wildcats have lost six in a row, all conference games, most recently 37-7 at home against UCLA on Saturday night. Arizona plays at California on Saturday, then concludes its season at home against Arizona State on Nov. 29.
Mackovic said "it was reported that I had told a player as recently as last Saturday that he was a disgrace to his family for the way he was playing. I have made a full and open apology to him and hope he can accept it."
That player was tight end Justin Levasseur.
"He just said something about my family that I didn't appreciate. He apologized for it," Levasseur said. "A little late, but he did apologize."
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