---

2 Warriors assistants
up for NFL jobs

The Hawaii football team has had to replace four assistants since June Jones became head coach in 1999, and never more than one a year.

As of yesterday, though, two assistant coaches -- Mike Cavanaugh (offensive line) and Vantz Singletary (defensive line) -- were in contention for NFL jobs. Cavanaugh was formally interviewed by the Cleveland Browns over the weekend and Singletary by the San Francisco 49ers last week. Also, Cavanaugh is being interviewed by Oregon State today.

With the start of spring practice less than a month away, Jones said he is concerned about the possibility of losing either or both of the line coaches who have been on his staff from the beginning, and who have helped UH to five winning seasons in six years. But he also sees transition as natural, and encourages his assistants to pursue opportunities.

Jones, a former NFL coach who has worked for eight different teams in his career, understands the transitory nature of college and pro coaching.

"I'm hoping it does happen for both of them," Jones said yesterday. "I think for anyone in our profession, it's a career goal (to coach in the NFL)."

Singletary has made no secret of his desire to advance to the pro ranks. He has spent six summers working in NFL training camps as an intern.

If Cavanaugh leaves for an NFL position, it wouldn't be his first job in that league. He was an assistant with the San Diego Chargers in 1997 and 1998, where Jones was interim head coach before coming to Hawaii.

Jones said, "You always have a list" of possible replacements, and it's too early to start talking about what moves would be made if he loses Cavanaugh and or Singletary.

"Of course it becomes an important situation, when and if it happens. But we can't really do anything until it does," he said. "When it does, you adjust and go on."

BACK TO TOP
|

Steady staff

As of yesterday, four assistants had left the Hawaii football staff since June Jones became head coach in 1999