Francis William Cavanaugh (April 28, 1876 – August 29, 1933) was an American college football player and coach.

Nicknamed "Cav" and "The Iron Major," he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1954.

[1] Cavanaugh left Worcester to return to college football at his alma mater, Dartmouth from 1911 to 1916.

However, before the football season began, Cavanaugh entered the United States Army to serve during World War I.

[4] On October 25, 1943, a biographical film about Cavanaugh's life was released by RKO Pictures titled The Iron Major, based on his wife's recollections.