Kevin Gilbride, offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, is definitely interested in the head coaching job at the University of Hawai'i, according to former UH coach Mike Cavanaugh.

Gilbride, 56, has spent the past 17 seasons coaching in the NFL, including 1997 and 1998 as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. He has been with the Giants since 2004, the first three seasons as quarterbacks coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator.

He was with the Houston Oilers from 1989 to 1994 (quarterbacks, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach/offense), with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1995 to 1996 (offensive coordinator), with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1999 to 2000 (offensive coordinator) and with the Buffalo Bills from 2002 to 2003 (offensive coordinator).

From 1974 to 1988, he coached at the collegiate level, except for 1985 to 1986, when he was quarterbacks/receivers coach for the Canadian Football League Ottawa Rough Riders.

One obstacle with hiring Gilbride is tied to the success of the Giants in the NFL postseason. His Giants play the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow in an NFC Divisional playoff.

The urgency to select a successor to June Jones, who left UH to become head coach at Southern Methodist University, is critical because it is the home stretch for recruiting. The first day high school recruits can sign binding national letters of intent is Feb. 6.

When Jones was hired by UH in December of 1998, his first hire was George Lumpkin, who was serving as an assistant coach at Kamehameha. Lumpkin was able to immediately carry on day-to-day operations, such as recruiting, as Jones fulfilled his coaching duties with the San Diego Chargers. Lumpkin, in fact, completed his 35th season with UH, serving under five different coaches.

Gilbride has several connections with Jones. Gilbride's son, also named Kevin, transferred to UH from Brigham Young to play quarterback after the 1998 season. But the younger Gilbride ended up finishing his UH career with the baseball team. Upon graduating in 2003, Gilbride became a graduate assistant in football at Syracuse University before landing an assistant coaching job at Georgetown this past season.

Also, the elder Gilbride is the brother-in-law of Cavanaugh, who left UH two seasons ago to coach at Oregon State.

Others who supposedly have interest in the job, according to Jones' resignation letter are Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, Texas defensive coordinator Duane Akina and UH linebackers coach Cal Lee. Another on the list, San Jose State coach Dick Tomey, has stated on his school's Web site that he is not interested in the coaching position. None responded to messages left by The Advertiser.

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin has applied for the head coaching job.

UH President David McClain said he hopes to have a replacement for Jones by next week, which would allow the program to host recruits as early as next weekend. A selection committee was announced yesterday by UH.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.