Posted on: Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Cavanaugh pondering Oregon State job offer
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Mike Cavanaugh, who coaches the University of Hawai'i football team's offensive linemen, said he will decide "in the next couple of days" if he will accept a similar job at Oregon State University.
Cavanaugh received the OSU offer during yesterday's interview with Beavers coach Mike Riley on the Corvallis, Ore., campus.
"I want to talk it over with my wife and family," Cavanaugh said. "Whatever I do will be a family decision."
Told of Cavanaugh's offer, UH head coach June Jones said, "I would be in total shock if he accepted" it. Jones said he and Cavanaugh speak daily. He said they discussed Cavanaugh's situation yesterday.
"He wants an NFL job," Jones said. "He doesn't want to go to another college."
On Saturday, Cavanaugh interviewed for the job of assistant offensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns. But the Browns filled that vacancy yesterday.
Jones said he would not stand in the way of any of his coaches accepting jobs with NFL teams.
Cavanaugh, 42, is expected to earn a significant raise from the estimated $100,000 compensation package he received from UH last year.
The UH Board of Regents will vote this month on increasing Cavanaugh's salary range, which currently tops out at $115,000. Cavanaugh also holds the title of offensive coordinator. In six seasons at UH, he developed five linemen who were drafted by NFL teams.
According to people familiar with the situation, Oregon State officials promised to match any compensation package Cavanaugh receives from UH.
Meanwhile, Vantz Singletary, who coaches the UH defensive linemen, said he was not selected as a defensive assistant coach with San Francisco 49ers.
Last week, Singletary interviewed for a job coaching the 49ers' defensive line. He was not offered that job, but was told he would be considered for a post in charge of "quality control."
Yesterday, Singletary was notified he would not be hired for that job.
"My dream is to coach in the NFL," Singletary said, "but I have a dream job coaching in Hawai'i, too. I love Hawai'i. If I can't coach in the NFL, this is the next-best place."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
