Cavanaugh loses 20 pounds, aims for more

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Freed from worrying about his waist line, University of Hawai'i football assistant coach Mike Cavanaugh can focus on his offensive line.

In two months, Cavanaugh lost 20 pounds through daily exercise and the low-carb, no-sugar Atkins Diet.

"I wanted to get in shape," said the 5-foot-6 fl Cavanaugh, who now weighs 220 pounds. "I want to lose 20 more."

Cavanaugh weighed 210 when he joined the UH coaching staff in January 1999. But then, he said, "I was introduced to all of the great food here."

Cavanaugh said he no longer enjoys his daily bread. He also eliminated rice, potatoes and pasta from his meal plans.

"It was time," he admitted. "I wanted to get my blood sugar down and ease my stress."

The second goal will be more attainable if UH's young offensive linemen can develop quickly during training camp, which opens today with a team meeting. The first practice is tomorrow afternoon.

Three offensive linemen graduated to the National Football League and fourth-year junior Uriah Moenoa moved from right tackle to right guard in spring practice. The Warriors are expected to start second-year freshmen Samson Satele and Dane Uperesa at tackle and third-year sophomore Derek Faavi at center.

"The only thing they don't have is experience," Cavanaugh said. "That will come in game situations. I think the ability is there. We have to fine-tune our technique and believe in what we do, then I think good things will happen.

"We have our system, and it's an outstanding system," Cavanaugh added. "We repeat things over and over. As they say, repetition is the greatest teacher."

Cavanaugh said the 6-4 Uperesa weighs 318 "but he looks like he's 280. Samson is 290. (Freshman center Michael) Lafaele is 290. (Backup center Phil) Kauffman had a great offseason. He's 290. Almost all of them worked really hard."

But Cavanaugh said he was disappointed that Moenoa, expected to be the line's leader, struggled in his battle of the bulge.

"No question," Cavanaugh said. "I think you have to respect the game and work at it and take care of business. You hope every guy comes into camp in shape. But we're going to get on them, and if they're not in shape, they will be when we're ready to go" to start the season.

Anonymity ends: Today is the first time UH coaches may publicly discuss the role of defensive end Melila Purcell Jr., who is projected to challenge for a starting job on the defensive line.

NCAA rules prohibited coaches from mentioning Purcell in team plans until the start of training camp. That is because Purcell, who was a partial academic qualifier as a freshman last year, does not officially join the team until today.

Purcell is listed as the top right end on the "2003 fall position chart" distributed by the school yesterday. But UH coach June Jones said the list was not in any particular order.

"We don't have a depth chart," he said. "Whatever you see on there is not a depth chart."

Jones said a depth chart will not be crafted "probably until our first game."