Joe Mack (Canadian football)

Joe Mack
Date of birth: March 22, 1954
Place of birth: Levittown, Pennsylvania
Career information
College: Villanova University
Organizations
As administrator:
1984–1987
1987–1989
1989–1994
1994–1997
1998–2000
2001
2010–2013		 Winnipeg Blue Bombers*
Atlanta Falcons (Pro scout)
Washington Redskins**
Carolina Panthers (Asst. GM)
Cleveland Browns*
New York/New Jersey Hitmen***
Winnipeg Blue Bombers****

*Director of Player Personnel
**Director of Pro Scouting
***Director of Football Operations
****GM/VP of Football Operations
As coach:
1978–1980 Villanova (DL/ST)
As player:
1974–1977 Villanova
Career highlights and awards

Joe Mack is an American football scout and executive. He has worked for several National Football League organizations and most recently was the general manager and vice-president of football operations for the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Early life and playing career

Mack was born on March 22, 1954 in Levittown, Pennsylvania to Bernard and Theresa Mack. He played linebacker and nose tackle at Villanova University. During his senior year he was a team captain and earned all-star honors. He graduated in 1977 with a degree in political science, specializing in international relations.[1]

Career

After graduating, Mack became Villanova's defensive line and special teams coach.[2] He then spent three years as a scout for BLESTO Scouting Combine, which represented the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins.[1][2]

Mack's first experience in the CFL came in 1984 as the director of player personnel for the Blue Bombers. During his tenure in Winnipeg he supplied players for head coaches Cal Murphy and Mike Riley.[3] The Blue Bombers won their first Grey Cup in 22 years in 1984 and had an overall record of 46-21-1 during Mack's tenure there.

Mack left Winnipeg in 1987 to become a pro scout for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. Two years later, he moved to the Washington Redskins to become the team's director of pro scouting[4] and was a member of the Redskins front office when the team won Super Bowl XXVI.[3] After five years in Washington, Mack spent four seasons with the expansion Carolina Panthers as assistant general manager, before becoming the interim director of player personnel for the Cleveland Browns. He helped build another expansion team in 2001 as the director of football operations for the XFL's New York/New Jersey Hitmen.[3] After the 2001 season, Mack left professional football to spend more time with his family and worked as an independent football consultant.[2]

Mack returned to full-time professional football in 2010 when he was hired by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as general manager and vice-president of football operations. Even with a Grey Cup appearance in 2011, the Blue Bombers struggled during Mack's tenure, posting a 21-39 record. Mack was fired by the Blue Bombers in August 2013, midway into his fourth season as general manager.[5]

Personal

Mack resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife, Kathleen. They have three children.[2]

CFL GM record

Team Year Regular Season Post Season
WonLostTiesWin %Finish Won Lost Result
WPG2010 4140.2224th in East Division – – Missed Playoffs
WPG2011 1080.5561st in East Division 1 1 Lost in Grey Cup
WPG2012 6120.3333rd in East Division – – Missed Playoffs
WPG2013 150.1674th in East Division – – Fired Mid-Season
Total 21390.350 1 Division
Championship 		1 1 0 Grey Cups

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Penton, Kirk (January 23, 2010). "Mack in a box". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Mack in the saddle again". Winnipeg Free Press. 2010-01-30.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Joe Mack named Bombers' GM". Cbc.ca. 2010-01-22. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  4. ↑ David Naylor. "Joe Mack in the running for Bombers VP". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  5. ↑ "Blue Bombers axe GM Joe Mack, CEO Buchko resigns". cbc.ca. 2013-08-09.