The University of Hawai'i football team is hopeful that the controversy surrounding head coach Greg McMackin will not impact preparation for Wednesday's opening of training camp.

"We can't let it distract us," offensive tackle Aaron Kia said. "What happened, happened. We're not going to let it affect our camp. We have enough things on our mind. We want to do better than we did last year."

During a speech to reporters at Thursday's Western Athletic Conference Football Preview in Salt Lake City, McMackin used a slur usually aimed toward gays in describing Notre Dame's chant at a Hawai'i Bowl banquet.

The slur, which he repeated two more times while clumsily attempting a retraction, drew nationwide attention.

Yesterday, McMackin agreed to be suspended without pay for 30 days — although he will remain as head coach on a volunteer basis during that period — and accept a 7 percent paycut.

A UH assistant coach, who asked not to be identified, said McMackin was "distraught" by his conduct at the WAC event.

McMackin is expected to remain sequestered in his Hawai'i Kai home until they meet Monday morning.

The players report Wednesday for orientation meetings and medical examinations. The first practice is Thursday.

An assistant coach said the itinerary for training camp was finalized more than a month ago. McMackin approved every drill and water break.

"Nothing is going to change," the assistant coach said.

Offensive guard Ray Hisatake said: "It shouldn't be a distraction. We're going to be focused, so there shouldn't be any worries. A team has to build from inside. This won't have any bearing on how the boys play."

The controversy does not appear to have hurt the Warriors' recruiting for the 2010 class.

"My opinion is the same about the program and coach Mack," said Kailua High senior Corey Lau, who made a verbal commitment to accept a 2010 scholarship from the Warriors. "He's a good coach. I don't think one thing should change that. My opinion of him as a person has not changed at all."

Lau said he has developed a friendly relationship with McMackin during the recruiting process.

"He's always been real nice to me," Lau said. "He's a good person."Wide receiver Christian "Bubba" Poueu-Luna of Great Oaks High in California also will honor his 2010 verbal commitment.

"I like Coach Mack," Poueu-Luna said. "He's the man. He cares about his players so much. That's a cool thing. I've had coaches like that. He's pretty cool. He's personable. I like that."

Hisatake said McMackin's comments were "out of character."

"The whole thing's crazy," Hisatake said. "I know coach Mack. He doesn't try to offend anybody. He goes out of his way to be nice to everybody. I'm surprised it went this far. But when you deal with the media, you've got to watch what you say. I've known coach Mack for a little more than two years. One incident won't change what he's shown me in two years."

Kia said: "Everybody messes up once in a while. Coach Mack is a good guy. This is a mess up. That's all."

In the Warriors' hierarchy, associate head coach Rich Miano is second in the chain of command. Presumably the coordinators — Ron Lee (offense), Cal Lee (defense) and Chris Tormey (special teams) are on the next tier.

But an assistant coach said: "This is Mack's team. He's in charge, whether he gets paid or not. Nothing is going to change the way we prepare."

Visit his blog at http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com.