Cavanaugh Reportedly Out

Matt Cavanaugh, the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterbacks coach, has withdrawn his name from consideration as Pitt’s head coach, television station KDKA-TV reported. Cavanaugh, who met with Pitt officials for the second time Monday, reportedly withdrew his name Tuesday.

Citing unnamed sources, the station said Cavanaugh may have had second thoughts about his prospects of becoming the 49ers’ offensive coordinator.

Tulane is expected to name Tommy Bowden as head football coach today. Bowden, 42, is the son of Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and the brother of Auburn coach Terry Bowden. Tulane would be Tommy Bowden’s first head coaching job. He has been an assistant for 19 years at seven schools.

Tim Lappano, who has ties to the Inland Northwest as a player and coach, joined new head coach Joe Tiller at Purdue as wide receivers coach. Lappano worked for Tiller at Wyoming this season.

Sonoma State is dropping its football program a month after students rejected an activities fee hike of $300 per student needed to support the team.

Abandoning the $300,000 football program - which eats up a quarter of the athletic department’s funds and brings in only $7,000 a year in ticket sales - is expected to allow the school to allot more funding to women’s sports. Sonoma State had until the 1998-99 school year to equalize women’s and men’s sports as part of a lawsuit settlement with the National Organization for Women. Currently, women’s sports are allocated 37 percent of the sports budget.

Jeff Bower of Southern Mississippi and Brad Scott of South Carolina will coach the South in the Blue-Gray All Star Football Classic, while Ted Tollner of San Diego State and Mike Bellotti of Oregon will handle the North team for the game to be played on Christmas in Montgomery, Ala.