Several Hawaii football players insist head coach Greg McMackin is deserving of a contract extension.

"He’s doing a great job for our program," safety Mana Silva said. "Anyone who has done as good a job has earned an extension."

McMackin is in the third year of a five-year contract that expires after the 2012 season.

His contract calls for an annual salary of $1.1 million, although he has been on a voluntary pay cut of 7 percent the past 17 months.

The Warriors were 7-7 in 2008 and 6-7 last year. This regular season, they went 10-3 overall and 7-1 in the Western Athletic Conference, earning a share of the league’s title. They play Tulsa in the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

McMackin and athletic director Jim Donovan will meet on the matter after the bowl game.

McMackin said he would "like an extension."

"We’re building this program," McMackin said. "These are guys I’ve brought in here. I want to be able to see the job through."

McMackin said an extension is "important for recruiting and retaining my staff. (Those are) the two main reasons. The kids want to know you’ll be there for the time they’ll be there. And (assistant) coaches are on one-year contracts. As long as I’m here, they’re here."

Linebacker Corey Paredes said there is no doubt McMackin deserves an extension.

"Of course," Paredes said. "Coach Mack is an awesome coach. He takes care of his players. He treats his players like his own children. … And he’s led us to some victories."

Long snapper Luke Ingram agreed, adding: "He does take care of his players. If you’re a head coach, that’s all that counts. You’re in it for the players, and not for yourself. He’s doing a great job taking care of us. My two years (at UH), he’s been here, and he’ll be here my last two. And it’ll be a good thing for all of the up-and-coming guys out of high school to work with him, too."