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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 6:25 p.m., Friday, February 25, 2005

UH's Cavanaugh is candidate for NFL job

By Stephen Tsai and Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writers

Mike Cavanaugh, the University of Hawai'i football team's offensive line coach, is a candidate for a coaching job with the Cleveland Browns, The Advertiser has learned.

Cavanaugh today arrived in Indianapolis, site of the National Football League's scouting combine. Cavanaugh is expected to meet with Browns officials this weekend, according to three people familiar with the situation.

Cavanaugh acknowledged he was contacted by an NFL team a few weeks ago. But he said he did not want to comment publicly on his situation.

UH coach June Jones said the combine — an invitation-only event during which top draft prospects are evaluated — and the Senior Bowl serve as job fairs for prospective NFL coaches.

Jones acknowledged Cavanaugh is in Indianapolis. Jones said he did not know full details of Cavanaugh's agenda, but would not stand in the way of a UH coach pursuing an NFL job.

Cavanaugh has spent six seasons at UH, where he has produced five linemen who were drafted by the NFL. Another five signed free-agent deals.

UH assistant coaches are on year-to-year contracts that are rolled over on March 1.

Last week, UH athletic director Herman Frazier asked the Board of Regents to extend Cavanaugh's pay range, which tops out at $115,000. Cavanaugh's current compensation package is about $100,000 a year.

The board discussed Frazier's request in executive session last week, and the measure was forwarded to the March agenda for approval.