Browns interview Warriors' Cavanaugh
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Mike Cavanaugh, the University of Hawai'i football team's offensive line coach, will learn by the end of the week if he will be offered a coaching job with the Cleveland Browns.
Browns head coach Romeo Crennel interviewed Cavanaugh Saturday in Indianapolis, site of the NFL's combine. Cavanaugh, 42, is a finalist for the job of assistant offensive line coach, a position he held with the San Diego Chargers in 1998 before joining UH.
Cavanaugh
Cavanaugh also is a candidate for a coaching job at Oregon State University. He is scheduled to meet with OSU head coach Mike Riley tomorrow on the Corvallis, Ore., campus.
Cavanaugh declined to issue a public comment on his circumstances. But he acknowledged his family situation would factor in his decision. His eldest son will be a senior at Saint Louis School in the fall. Cavanaugh cited family reasons as part of his decision to turn down an offer last month to serve as San Jose State's assistant head coach.
After that, it did not appear Cavanaugh would be interested in another college coaching job. But OSU's Riley called UH head coach June Jones last week seeking permission to meet with Cavanaugh.
According to people familiar with the situation, Oregon State, a member of the Pac-10 Conference, would be willing to match Cavanaugh's soon-to-be-approved new contract at UH.
Last week, UH athletic director Herman Frazier asked the UH Board of Regents to raise the pay range for Cavanaugh, who also holds the title of offensive coordinator. The board discussed the proposal in executive session and placed it on the March agenda for approval.
Cavanaugh currently earns a compensation package of $100,000 — a one-year agreement that automatically rolls over tomorrow. UH assistant football coaches are on year-to-year contracts that expire on the last day of February each year.
In related news, UH defensive line coach Vantz Singletary is being considered for a position with the San Francisco 49ers, where his uncle, Mike Singletary, is an assistant head coach. Singletary interviewed for a job as an assistant coach a few weeks ago. He was not hired for that position, but remains in the running for another post, The Advertiser has learned.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
