View source for Matt Cavanaugh

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1956)}}
{{for|the American actor|Matt Cavenaugh}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name           = Matt Cavanaugh
| image          = Matt Cavanaugh.jpg
| image_size     =
| alt            = 
| caption        = Cavanaugh in 2015
| current_team   = 
| number         = 12, 6
| position       = [[Quarterback]]
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1956|10|27|mf=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Youngstown, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| height_ft      = 6
| height_in      = 2
| weight_lbs     = 212
| high_school    = [[Chaney High School|Chaney]] (Youngstown)
| college        = [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh]] (1974–1977)
| draftyear      = 1978
| draftround     = 2
| draftpick      = 50
| pastteams      =
* [[New England Patriots]] ({{NFL Year|1978}}–{{NFL Year|1982}})
* [[San Francisco 49ers]] ({{NFL Year|1983}}–{{NFL Year|1985}})
* [[Philadelphia Eagles]] ({{NFL Year|1986}}–{{NFL Year|1989}})
* [[New York Giants]] ({{NFL Year|1990}}–{{NFL Year|1991}})
| pastcoaching   =
* [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh]] (1992–1993)<br />Tight ends coach
* [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{nfly|1994}}–{{nfly|1995}})<br />Quarterbacks coach
* San Francisco 49ers ({{nfly|1996}})<br />Quarterbacks coach
* [[Chicago Bears]] ({{nfly|1997}}–{{nfly|1998}})<br />Offensive coordinator
* [[Baltimore Ravens]] ({{nfly|1999}}–{{nfly|2004}})<br />Offensive coordinator
* Pittsburgh (2005–2008)<br />Offensive coordinator
* [[New York Jets]] ({{nfly|2009}}–{{nfly|2012}})<br />Quarterbacks coach
* Chicago Bears ({{nfly|2013}}–{{nfly|2014}})<br />Quarterbacks coach
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{nfly|2015}}–{{nfly|2016}})<br />Quarterbacks coach
* Washington Redskins ({{nfly|2017}}–{{nfly|2018}})<br />Offensive coordinator
* Washington Redskins ({{nfly|2019}})<br />Senior offensive assistant 
* New York Jets ({{nfly|2021}})<br />Senior offensive assistant
| highlights     = 
;As player
* 2× [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XIX|XIX]], [[Super Bowl XXV|XXV]]) 
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|1976]])
* First-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1977 College Football All-America Team|1977]])
* First-team All-East ([[1977 All-East football team|1977]])
* [[Sugar Bowl]] MVP (1977)
;As coach
* Super Bowl champion ([[Super Bowl XXXV|XXXV]])
| statleague     = NFL
| statlabel1     = [[Touchdown|TD]]–[[Interception|INT]]
| statvalue1     = 28–30
| statlabel2     = Passing yards
| statvalue2     = 4,332
| statlabel3     = Passer rating
| statvalue3     = 71.7
| statlabel4     = Completions
| statvalue4     = 305
| statlabel5     = Attempts
| statvalue5     = 579
| statlabel6     = Games played
| statvalue6     = 112
| regular_record = <!-- {{Winning percentage|ww|ll|record=y}} -->
| playoff_record = <!-- {{Winning percentage|ww|ll|record=y}} -->
| overall_record = <!-- {{Winning percentage|ww|ll|record=y}} -->
| pfr            = CavaMa00
| pfrcoach       = CavaMa0 
}}

'''Matthew Andrew Cavanaugh''' (born October 27, 1956) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player and coach in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played as a [[quarterback]], winning two [[Super Bowl]] titles. He played [[college football]] for the [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh Panthers]].

After retiring from playing following the [[1991 NFL season|1991 season]], Cavanaugh worked as an offensive coach and [[offensive coordinator]] for teams including the [[San Francisco 49ers]], [[Chicago Bears]], [[Baltimore Ravens]] (where he earned a third ring as a coach), [[Washington Redskins]] (now the Washington Commanders), and [[New York Jets]].

== Early life ==
Cavanaugh was born in [[Youngstown, Ohio]], on October 27, 1956. He attended [[Chaney High School]], and played quarterback on its 1973 and 1974 city championship teams, as team captain his senior year (1974).<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Keddie |first=Matt |title=Matt Cavanagh, Professional Football Researchers Association |url=https://profootballresearchers.com/biography/Cavanaugh_Matt.pdf |website=Profootballresearchers.com}}</ref> In 1988, he was inducted into the Chaney Athletic Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chaney Athletic Hall of Fame Members |url=https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/5780/2024/01/18105205/Chaney-HOF-members.pdf}}</ref>

== College football ==
He went on to the [[University of Pittsburgh]] after graduating, and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in school history.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Matt Cavanaugh (2023) - Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame |url=https://pittsburghpanthers.com/honors/pitt-athletics-hall-of-fame/matt-cavanaugh/56 |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Pitt Panthers #H2P |language=en}}</ref> He played under [[College Football Hall of Fame]] head coach [[Johnny Majors]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny Majors (1987) - Hall of Fame |url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2286 |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=National Football Foundation |language=en}}</ref> (1974-1976) and head coach [[Jackie Sherrill]] (1977).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2019-06-03 |title=College Football Hall of Fame Candidate: Matt Cavanaugh |url=https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/6/3/college-football-hall-of-fame-candidate-matt-cavanaugh.aspx |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Pitt Panthers #H2P |language=en}}</ref> In 1976, he was the starting quarterback for the [[1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|undefeated Pittsburgh Panthers]] (he was on the same team with [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Tony Dorsett]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Dorsett College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tony-dorsett-1.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>) and contributed to the team's National Championship 27–3 victory over [[Georgia Bulldogs football|Georgia]] in the [[1977 Sugar Bowl|Sugar Bowl]]. He scored the first touchdown in that game, and was on ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''<nowiki/>'s January 10, 1977 cover being lifted in the air by Dorsett and another player after that touchdown. Cavanaugh was selected as the Sugar Bowl's Most Valuable Player, even though Dorsett had rushed for 202 yards, because of Cavanaugh’s commanding first half performance.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19770817&id=KCYcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=51cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2453,455942 |title=Cavanaugh's Heisman Bid Up in the Air |last=Livingston |first=Pat |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Press]] |page=C-24 |date=August 17, 1977 |access-date=September 20, 2016 |via=Google News}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=January 10, 1977 Table Of Contents |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1977/01/10/43320-toc |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220820061342/https://vault.si.com/vault/1977/01/10/43320-toc |archive-date=2022-08-20 |access-date=2024-12-27 |work=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

Cavanaugh was first team [[All-America|All-American]] his senior year (1977), and seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Matt Cavanaugh College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/matt-cavanaugh-1.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He was also named MVP of the [[1977 Gator Bowl]], throwing for 387 yards and four touchdown passes in a 34–3 win over [[1977 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]].<ref name=":0" /> 

In 1977, Cavanaugh  missed playing time with a broken wrist, but the team still finished 9–2–1, and was ranked number 7 in the country.<ref name=":1" /> He still threw for 1,844 yards with 15 touchdowns against six interceptions (including regular season and Gator Bowl statistics).<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCracken |first=Kylie |title=Legends of the Game - Pitt vs. Clemson: Matt Cavanaugh, Gator Bowl, Dec. 30, 1977 |url=https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/2017/6/17/blog-2016-11-legends-of-the-game-pitt-vs-clemson-matt-cavanaugh-gator-bowl-dec-30-1977-html.aspx |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Pitt Panthers #H2P |language=en}}</ref>  At that time, this was the second-most passing yards in Pittsburgh history for a season, only trailing quarterback Ken Lucas's 1,921 yards in 1965 (playing in 10 games that year).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kenny Lucas College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/kenny-lucas-1.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Cavanaugh’s  387 yards in the Gator Bowl was a Pitt single game record, and his 3,378 total passing yards for his career was second in school history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Pittsburgh 1978 Football Media Guide (page 76) |url=https://documenting.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A31735062135987/viewer#page/76/mode/2up}}</ref> As of 2024, Cavanaugh  is no longer in the top 10 in these categories for Pitt.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitt Football 2024 Media Guide |url=https://pittsburghpanthers.com/documents/2024/7/22/2024_Pitt_Football_Media_Guide.pdf}}</ref>

In 2023, he was inducted into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame.<ref name=":0" />

== Professional football player ==
Cavanaugh was selected by the [[New England Patriots]] with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the [[1978 NFL draft]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=1978 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1978/draft.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> but spent much of his career as a backup.<ref name="Chicago Bears" /> His professional playing career included stints with the Patriots (1979-82), [[San Francisco 49ers]] (1983-85), [[Philadelphia Eagles]] (1986-89), and [[New York Giants]] (1990-91).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Matt Cavanaugh Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CavaMa00.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> 

Cavanaugh was the backup quarterback in both the 1984 [[Super Bowl XIX]] and the 1990 [[Super Bowl XXV]] to [[Joe Montana]] and [[Jeff Hostetler]], respectively. In the 1984 49ers' championship season as Montana's backup, he played in eight games, starting one;<ref>{{Cite web |title=1984 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1984.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> and in the Giants' 1990 championship season he was a backup to Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler, though he did not have any playing time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 New York Giants Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/1990.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> 

Simms had been injured during a December 1990 game against the [[Buffalo Bills]] on a hit by [[Leon Seals]] and was unable to play in the Super Bowl (also against the Bills), with Hostetler taking over. Cavanaugh warmed up during the Super Bowl as Hostetler suffered a number of blows from the Buffalo Bills pass rush (and a particularly hard hit from Seals), but did not come into the game despite Hostetler playing the first half in "'kind of a blur'".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zimmerman |first=Paul |date=February 4, 1991 |title=Giants edge out Bills by one point in Super Bowl 25 |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1991/02/04/high-and-mighty-in-one-of-the-best-played-super-bowls-in-xxv-years-the-new-york-giants-used-their-power-game-to-wear-down-the-buffalo-bills-who-fought-back-but-fell-one-point-short |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241127191420/https://vault.si.com/vault/1991/02/04/high-and-mighty-in-one-of-the-best-played-super-bowls-in-xxv-years-the-new-york-giants-used-their-power-game-to-wear-down-the-buffalo-bills-who-fought-back-but-fell-one-point-short |archive-date=2024-11-27 |access-date=2024-12-27 |work=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

Cavanaugh’s most prolific season came in 1981, when he started eight of 16 games for the Patriots. Over four years, he started 15 games for the Patriots, backing up an injured [[Steve Grogan]],<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Steve Grogan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrogSt00.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> but in his final five years did not start any games; throwing only 21 passes during those years.<ref name=":3" />

Cavanaugh retired as a professional player following the 1991 season, appearing in 112 games with 19 starts, completing 305 of 579 passes for 4,332 yards, 28 touchdowns, 30 interceptions and a 71.7 passer rating.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="Chicago Bears">{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Cavanaugh-driven-by-will-to-win-Super-Bowl-/a50c7565-04ae-4807-aa2d-e2338587c722|title=Cavanaugh driven by will to win Super Bowl|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=July 9, 2013|access-date=July 11, 2013|archive-date=July 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713075720/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Cavanaugh-driven-by-will-to-win-Super-Bowl-/a50c7565-04ae-4807-aa2d-e2338587c722|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Coaching career ==
Following his retirement, Cavanaugh because [[Position coach|tight ends coach]] at Pitt for two years (1992-93), under coaches [[Paul Hackett (American football)|Paul Hackett]] and [[Sal Sunseri]] in 1992,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 Pitt Panthers Roster |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/pittsburgh/1992-roster.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> and his old coach Johnny Majors in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 Pitt Panthers Roster |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/pittsburgh/1993-roster.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Matt Cavanaugh Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/CavaMa0.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He also served as Pitt's chief recruiter.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} Cavanaugh next began coaching in professional football. He was a [[Position coach|quarterbacks coach]] with the [[Arizona Cardinals]] (1994–1995) under [[Buddy Ryan]], who had coached Cavanaugh as a player in Philadelphia;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buddy Ryan Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/RyanBu0.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> quarterbacks coach with the 49ers (1996) under [[George Seifert]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 San Francisco 49ers Roster & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1996_roster.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> [[offensive coordinator]] for the [[Chicago Bears]] (1997–1998) under Dave [[Dave Wannstedt|Wannstedt]];<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Dave Wannstedt Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/WannDa0.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> and offensive coordinator with the [[Baltimore Ravens]] (1999–2004) under [[Brian Billick]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brian Billick Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BillBr0.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> winning [[Super Bowl XXXV]] with the Ravens in 2000.<ref name=":5" /><ref name="Chicago Bears" /> 

Cavanaugh served as offensive coordinator under Wannstedt again, for his old college team the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, until 2008,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> when he accepted a position as an assistant coach and quarterbacks coach with the New York Jets, under [[Rex Ryan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rex Ryan Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/RyanRe0.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He would remain with the Jets until 2012.<ref name=":5" />

On January 18, 2013, it was announced that Bears head coach [[Marc Trestman]] hired Cavanaugh as the quarterbacks coach, replacing [[Jeremy Bates (American football)|Jeremy Bates]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-hire-assistant-coaches-Cavanaugh-Peete/34110323-a49d-4c99-99dc-2853d3a3a678|title=Bears hire assistant coaches Cavanaugh, Peete|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=January 1, 2013|access-date=January 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121032723/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-hire-assistant-coaches-Cavanaugh-Peete/34110323-a49d-4c99-99dc-2853d3a3a678|archive-date=January 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On January 28, 2015, Cavanaugh became Washington's quarterbacks coach.<ref name=":5" /> On January 23, 2017, Cavanaugh was promoted to Washington's offensive coordinator, replacing [[Sean McVay]], who became the head coach of the [[Los Angeles Rams]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Redskins Promote Matt Cavanaugh To Offensive Coordinator |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-promote-matt-cavanaugh-to-offensive-coordinator-18486264 |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=www.commanders.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sean McVay Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/McVaSe0.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> On January 29, 2019, Cavanaugh was demoted to Washington's senior offensive assistant, where he still had a number of responsibilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/football/nfl/player/12607/kevin-oconnell|title=Kevin O'Connell - Los Angeles Rams - NFL|website=www.nbcsports.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Senior Offensive Assistant Matt Cavanaugh Has Fully Embraced His New, 'Big Picture' Role |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/senior-offensive-assistant-matt-cavanaugh-has-fully-embraced-his-new-big-picture |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=www.commanders.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He coached in Washington under [[Jay Gruden]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jay Gruden Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/GrudJa0.htm |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

On August 25, 2021, Cavanaugh was hired by the [[New York Jets]] as a senior offensive assistant to coach [[Robert Saleh]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=MacGregor |date=2021-08-25 |title=Jets Hire Matt Cavanaugh As Senior Offensive Assistant |url=https://www.ganggreennation.com/2021/8/25/22641767/jets-hire-matt-cavanaugh-as-senior-offensive-assistant |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Gang Green Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Eric |last2=Greenberg |first2=Ethan |date=2021-08-25 |title=Training Camp Ends for a 'Ridiculously Young Team' |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-joint-practice-report-training-camp-ends-for-a-ridiculously-young-team |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=New York Jets}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.redskins.com/team/coaches-roster/matt-cavanaugh Washington Redskins bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129010217/https://www.redskins.com/team/coaches-roster/matt-cavanaugh |date=January 29, 2019 }}

{{Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback navbox}}
{{Patriots1978DraftPicks}}
{{New England Patriots starting quarterback navbox}}
{{San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback navbox}}
{{1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football navbox}}
{{Super Bowl XIX}}
{{Super Bowl XXV}}
{{Super Bowl XXXV}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cavanaugh, Matt}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Arizona Cardinals coaches]]
[[Category:Baltimore Ravens coaches]]
[[Category:Chicago Bears coaches]]
[[Category:NFL offensive coordinators]]
[[Category:New England Patriots players]]
[[Category:New York Giants players]]
[[Category:New York Jets coaches]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Eagles players]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Panthers football players]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Panthers football coaches]]
[[Category:San Francisco 49ers coaches]]
[[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins coaches]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Youngstown, Ohio]]