Saint Louis grad Cabral takes over at Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. » Saint Louis School graduate Brian Cabral was named interim head coach at Colorado yesterday after the school fired Dan Hawkins.

Cabral will serve as interim coach for the final three games of the season, beginning Saturday against Iowa State.

Cabral, 54, who coaches the inside linebackers, is the longest-tenured assistant in school history at 21 seasons. He served as interim coach once before, in the spring of 2004, when Gary Barnett was suspended.

"Here we go again," smiled Cabral, who's hoping to be considered for the opening. "My role again is very much like last time I sat here. My role, without a doubt, is to stand in the gap. ... My role is to calm the storm."

Athletic director Mike Bohn said the school's financial constraints mean he won't be able to pursue just anyone to be the next coach because the higher profile names earn about $4 million annually, way out of the Buffs' price range.

Bohn fired Hawkins three days after the biggest meltdown in school history put a cap on his five failed seasons with the Buffaloes. Bohn said the search for a new coach would begin immediately.