HONOLULU -- University of Hawaii football coach Greg McMackin drew sharp criticism for using a gay slur repeatedly during a Western Athletic Conference media day Thursday in Salt Lake City.

The WAC football coaches are in Utah for the football season preview.

McMackin was referring to last season's Hawaii Bowl when he said Notre Dame University's team did a "little f-----t dance" for Hawaii. That was during the banquet the night before the game when UH Warriors performed their haka.

Hear audio of McMackin's speech.

McMackin apologized for his comments and asked the reporters at the news conference not to report his comments.

"Cover for me for saying 'f----t dance," he asked reporters during his speech.

After the news conference, McMackin addressed the reporters again.

"I would sincerely like to apologize for the inappropriate verbage, words I used. You know, couple things, cause I have nothing against the University of Notre Dame. I have... I don't talk like that and I'm really ticked off at myself for saying that. And uh, I don't know what to tell you. I don't have any prejudices and it really makes me mad that I said that, and I'm disappointed in myself. I know that there are a couple of you who know me. I'm a very competitive person. I think I told you guys that was the worst loss in my 40-year career in the game and that it ticks me off, that you know, that I said that cause Notre Dame played a great ball game. What I was trying to do was be funny and it wasn't funny and it's not funny and even more, it isn't funny, too. I was trying to make a joke and it was a bad choice of words and it really, I really, really feel bad about it, and I wanted to apologize. I'm going to apologize to my team and apologize to the people in Hawaii," McMackin said.

(Audio Of Apology)

Video of his speech was not placed on the WAC's Web site like all of the other coaches.

Several media outlets have asked the WAC for a copy of the video of McMackin's speech, but the WAC has rejected those requests.

The WAC called UH Athletics Director Jim Donovan to inform him about what happened. Donovan said he called outgoing UH President David McClain. He said he also spoke with Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw about what happened.

"I am angered and disappointed by the statement attributed to coach McMackin this morning. It certainly doesn't represent the values of the University of Hawaii," McClain said.

Hinshaw and Donovan said those comments were not in character with McMackin.

"I did talk to coach Mack, and I have to admit, it's not in keeping with coach Mack for the time I have worked with him. He is very respectful of all people," Hinshaw said.

Donovan said he and Hinshaw asked the coach to reach out to the offended communities. McMackin is scheduled to arrive back on Oahu on Thursday.

Donovan and McClain would not discuss disciplinary action. They said they wanted to speak with McMackin in person.

This coming season is McMackin's second as head coach for the Warriors.