Ravens Hire Matt Cavanaugh

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 28, 1999 / 6:13 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Matt Cavanaugh, among the assistants dismissed by the Chicago Bears last month following the firing of coach Dave Wannstedt, has been hired as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.

Cavanaugh served in the same capacity the last two years with the Bears but was not retained following a 4-12 season. That did not matter to new Ravens coach Brian Billick, who made Cavanaugh one of his top assistants.

"Matt is one of the best young offensive coaches in the game," Billick said. "His combination of professional playing experience and coaching makes him ideally suited to teach the offensive concepts we have."

Various reports claim Cavanaugh also received an offer from the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are in the market for an offensive coordinator following the departure of Chris Palmer, who was hired as coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Before arriving in Chicago, the 42-year-old Cavanaugh spent one year as quarterbacks coach of the San Francisco 49ers and two seasons as an assistant with the Arizona Cardinals.

Cavanaugh played 14 seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots, San Francisco, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He threw for 4,332 yards and 28 TDs in 112 career games and collected Super Bowl rings with the 49ers and Giants.

Cavanaugh was a star quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh and began his coaching career as an assistant at the school in 1993.

Billick, named coach of the Ravens last week, already has decided to retain Marvin Lewis as defensive coordinator.