Over the course of the past 28 seasons, Southern Connecticut State University football coach Rich Cavanaugh has left an indelible mark on one of the most storied programs in New England. The winningest and longest tenured head coach in program history, he has only built on the outstanding tradition that was in place when he assumed the duties in 1985.
The Owls are coming off a 2012 season in which 10 student-athletes earned year-end honors from the Northeast-10 Conference.
With a win over AIC on Oct. 22, 2011, Cavanaugh guided SCSU its 11th consecutive winning season and the 19th winning campaign of his coaching career. The team’s final 7-3 mark also allowed the Owls to register its 18th straight season with a record at or above .500 - the longest such streak in program history.
As a result of their performance, the Owls were selected as the 2011 ECAC Division II Team of the Year.
In addition, three student-athletes - seniors Rashaad Slowley, Andre Privott and Sam-uel Johnson - were named All-Americans, with Slowley also being selected as a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, given annually to the top player in Division II. He was also named
Northeast-10 Conference Most Valuable Player. The three All-Americans matched a program single-season high.
Nine student-athletes earned All-Conference honors, with Slowley also earning All-New England and All-Region accolades.
The 2010 season included a triumph over AIC in a nationally televised home contest on the CBS College Sports Network. In the process, the Owls posted their 18th winning season under Cavanaugh’s guidance. On the individual front, the Owls had seven All-Conference performers, five All-ECAC picks, one All-Region and one All-New England honoree.
The team also produced 42 selections to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll, while offensive lineman Spencer Charette was named to the Football All-Academic Team for the second year in a row.
During the 2009 season, the Owls won their second Northeast-10 Championship in four years. In the process, Cavanaugh mentored 13 All-Northeast-10 Conference selections, four All-ECAC honorees, one All-Region performer, one All-New England selection and one Northeast-10 Conference All-Academic team pick. Three student-athletes were selected to play in the East Coast Bowl and two in the Cactus Bowl at the conclusion of the year.
The Owls also excelled in the classroom, with 36 selections to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
In 2008, Cavanaugh led the Owls to their fourth straight NCAA Division II playoff appearance. Despite a host of injuries to numerous key personnel, Cavanaugh and his staff pulled together a seven-game winning streak to close the regular season and ultimately clinch a spot in the field.
Cavanaugh reached another coaching milestone on Oct. 25, 2008, when he led the Owls to a 40-17 win at Pace. As a result of the win, the Owls secured Cavanaugh’s 16th winning season as head coach of the program. In the process, he surpassed the legendary Jess Dow for the most winning campaigns in program history. Dow posted 15 winning years in a coaching run that spanned from 1948-65.
For his efforts, Cavanaugh was selected as the 2008 Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year. On the individual front, the Owls also boasted one All-American, four All-Region, four All-ECAC, two All-New England and 14 All-Conference performers. SCSU also had the Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, as well as the Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year.
In 2007, Cavanaugh’s team matched the school record for victories in a season and has set numerous additional school marks. A total of 12 players earned All-Northeast-10 honors, with another four earning All-Northeast Region honors and two taking home All-New England honors.
The Owls also produced three All-Americans in 2007, a program single-season high.
The 2006 season was another outstanding campaign for the Owls. SCSU earned a share of the Northeast-10 Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Owls closed the season with a 7-4 record, marking the fifth straight year with at least seven victories.
Following the regular season, nine players were recognized with All-Northeast-10 honors. In addition, two players were named All-Northeast Region, with another taking home All-New England accolades.
Cavanaugh, whose teams have posted a 167-123-1 record, led Southern to its first berth in the NCAA Division II championship playoffs in 2005. The Owls closed the campaign with an 8-3 mark. Fifteen players were tabbed for All-Northeast-10 honors after a benchmark campaign.
Over the last 18 seasons, Cavanaugh has guided the Owls to a 127-64 mark.
Furthermore, the Owls have enjoyed some of their most productive offensive seasons ever with Cavanaugh at the helm, including new records for rushing, passing and total offense yardage.
During Cavanaugh’s career, numerous players have earned various honors as they have filtered through the storied program.
Since the formation of the Northeast-10, 144 players have been recognized with All-League accolades. Sixty-six players have taken home All-New England honors, with 53 individuals garnering All-ECAC accolades.
Cavanaugh has also coached 17 All-Americans, 14 All-Northeast Region picks, six Offensive Players of the Year, and three Northeast-10 Most Valuable Players, three Rookies of the Year, three Defensive Players of the Year, two Defensive Linemen of the Year, two Division II-III Gold Helmet Award winners (Jim Lukowiak in 2005 and Steve Armstrong in 2007) and two Offensive Linemen of the Year.
Prior to being named head coach, Cavanaugh served for three seasons as Southern’s offensive coordinator with head coach Kevin Gilbride (1982-84). The Owls posted a 24-7 (.774) mark during that stretch.
He joined the staff after three successful seasons as head coach at Branford (Conn.) High School. His 1981 squad registered an 8-3 mark and reached the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class M championship game.
As a student-athlete, he started for two seasons at American International College, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Springfield, Mass. school.
Cavanaugh started his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant football coach.
Cavanaugh resides in Wallingford with his wife, Carol. He is the father of three daughters -- Amanda, Alexis, and Ashley -- and four stepchildren -- George, Katie, David, and Julia.
