Cavanaugh hired as Pitt offensive coordinator
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Less than a month after he was passed over as Pitt’s new head coach, Matt Cavanaugh was named the Panthers’ offensive coordinator by Coach Dave Wannstedt. Cavanaugh had been offensive coordinator of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens since 1999, but is better known to Pitt fans as the quarterback of the university’s 1976 national championship team. Cavanaugh was MVP in a 27-3 rout of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl that season, and was named an All-American in 1977.
“The most rewarding thing about taking this position is the opportunity to come back home to Pitt,” Cavanaugh said. “I am very grateful for the chance to work with Coach Wannstedt again.”
Cavanaugh was Wannstedt’s offensive coordinator when Wannstedt was head coach of the Chicago Bears from 1997-98.
“First and foremost, Matt brings coaching experience and expertise at the quarterback position. Secondly, he brings the strong desire to make the University of Pittsburgh the best it can be,” Wannstedt said. “Finally, having known Matt since our Pitt playing days 30 years ago, and working with him in Chicago, I know we share the same coaching philosophies.”
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, where he played at Chaney High School, Cavanaugh spent 14 years as an NFL quarterback for New England, San Francisco, Philadelphia and the New York Giants.
Cavanaugh’s hiring actually marks his second return to Pitt, where Cavanaugh began his coaching career in 1993 as tight ends coach for Johnny Majors.
Cavanaugh jumped to the NFL as the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterbacks coach from 1994-95 and then at San Francisco in 1996 before Wannstedt hired him as offensive coordinator in Chicago.
Cavanaugh won two Super Bowl rings in his career, two as a player (San Francisco in 1984 and New York in 1990) and one as the Ravens’ coordinator in 2000, when the team set a franchise record 2,199 yards rushing.
Wannstedt has said he wants to re-emphasize the running game at Pitt, while still maintaining the progress former coach Walt Harris made in developing wide receivers and quarterbacks, most recently, Tyler Palko, who figures to return as next season’s starter.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Tyler Palko and the other talented players we have coming back,” Cavanaugh said. “We have a great nucleus at Pitt and I can’t wait to get started.”