Click the AUDIO button to hear RRN's interview with Dennis Mackey when the Lindquist Center Court was named after him in November, 2024, as well as a tribute from Bay College Coach Matt Johnson.
Also scroll down to read the Novermber, 2024, RRN story at the bottom of this page.
IRONWOOD---The longtime coach of the Gogebic Community College Samsons basketball team is retiring. Dennis Mackey announced on Thursday that he will be retiring as of May 31st, after 38 years of teaching and coaching at the Ironwood school. He won more than 500 games during 19 years of coaching the women's team, followed by 19 more years coaching the men's team. The basketball coach at GCC's Lindquist Center was named after Mackey in November, 2024.
The following is the retirement announcement from Gogebic Community College:
Gogebic Community College (GCC) Business Instructor and Men's Basketball Coach, Dennis Mackey, has announced his retirement effective May 31, 2026, concluding a distinguished 38-year career in education and athletics.
A Kenton, MI native and Ewen-Trout Creek graduate, Mackey was a standout multi-sport athlete before continuing his academic and basketball career at GCC from 1982–84. He then transferred to Northern Michigan University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management. While starting his coaching and teaching career at GCC, Mackey continued his education at Lake Superior State University, earning a Master of Business Administration in 1993.
Mackey began his GCC career in 1988 as a part-time instructor and women's basketball coach. He served as the Samsons athletic director from 2006–2013 and during interim sessions for nine months in 2016-17 and for 16 months in 2021-22. A three-time NJCAA Region 13 Coach of the Year, Mackey coached Samson basketball teams for 38 years and achieved his 500th career win during the 2024–25 season. This timeframe involved coaching 1,023 Samson basketball games while mentoring more than 350 student-athletes.
While coaching the women's program for 19 years, Mackey's teams compiled a 256–227 record. The women's coaching tenure was highlighted by National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIII championships in 1995 and 1998 and a national tournament appearance in the 1995 NJCAA Division I tourney held @ Tyler, Texas. In 2007-08, Mackey began his role as the Samsons men's basketball coach. For the past 19 seasons, his Samson men's teams posted a 277-263 record, winning Region XIII titles in 2011 and 2013.
Known for his motto, "Once a Samson, always a Samson," reflects Mackey's deep commitment to Gogebic Community College, his passion for basketball, and his appreciation for the student-athletes he coached throughout his career. Mackey also played a key role in fundraising efforts, helping generate approximately $400,000 in support of student-athlete scholarships during his tenure.
In recognition of his impact, GCC dedicated "Coach Mackey Court" in his honor on November 26, 2024.
Mackey and his family have been longtime supporters of GCC athletics, contributing to numerous programs and events over the years.
Gogebic Community College extends its sincere appreciation and best wishes to Dennis Mackey on his retirement, honoring his outstanding tenure and lasting contributions to GCC.
RRN Sports Story on Lindquist Center court being named after Mackey in November, 2024:
Gogebic Community College basketball coach Dennis Mackey was honored Tuesday night for crossing the 500-win mark in his 37-year career at the Ironwood school.
The school named the basketball court inside the Lindquist Center after Mackey in a ceremony attended by hundreds. Mackey, who has coached both men and women over the past 37 years at Gogebic, has complied an overall record of 502 wins and 465 losses, including the Samsons' 86-80 loss to Bay College Tuesday night.
Mackey, who also taught at Gogebic and served as the school's athletic director on several occassions, was surrounded by his family and former players in an emoti0nal ceremony.
"It's overwhelming," Mackey told RRN Sports. "Very humbling. I'm obviously very honored to have my name on the court. But at the same time, it's more than just me. It's the progra. It's my family. It's everybody who's helped me to get to where I am right now. And wuite frankly, it's about our players. I'm proud to be at Gogebic and I'm proud of what we've produced."
Mackey says that basketball has changed a lot since he started 37 years ago. But, he adds, one thing had not changed.
"Once a Samson, always a Samson," he said. "That's (written) on the floor. I'm excited about it. I'm just very grateful for the honor."
Bay College Coach Matt Johnson, who has known Mackey for nearly two decades, said that Mackey deserves every honor that he gets.
"He's a really, really good basketball coach, and his teams are always tough to prepare for and tough to play against," Johnson said. "You've got to put in, and be dedicated and committed to, 30-plus years of student-athletes. The time and energy spent with those kids is incredible."
Johnson and Mackey have faced each other multiple times, going back to Johnson's days as the coach of Hibbing (Minn.) Community College. But Johnson says it's not all business.
"As good of a basketball coach that Dennis is, he is an even better person. He's a great guy to talk to. He's a great guy to hang out with," Johnson said. "It's great to be able to be here to witness this and to be a part of it."
Mackey says the game has changed in that there is now a three-point line, and a shot clock, neither of which were in place when he started. He says more players are specializing in one sport, and most are stronger and more physical. And...more emtitled.
"There's a lot of people who expect to be catered to," Mackey said. "There's a lot of instant gratification, and not as many guys are willing to put in the time to EARN their spot on the floor. They're expecting to take the world by storm and move on to the next level. They don't realize how many people are out there, how many good players there are. Quite frankly, Matt and I struggle to find enough athleties in the U.P. to come here and play, and to be a factor."
But to sum up this night of honor, Mackey was tearing up.
"It's special because I've spent a lot of time here. This is where my blood, sweat, and tears has been for the past 37 years. I'm not about me. I never have been. It's about the Gogebic Cmmunity College. But I am appreciative. It's emotional. This has been my life."
