Cable played college football for the Idaho Vandals and was on the replacement team for the Indianapolis Colts during the 1987 NFL players' strike.

Born in Merced, California, Cable played high school football in Snohomish, Washington, northeast of Seattle.

He graduated from Snohomish High School in 1982 and accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Idaho from first-time head coach Dennis Erickson.

Cable played on the offensive line for the Vandals under head coaches Erickson and Keith Gilbertson, blocking for quarterback Scott Linehan.

That December, he became the head coach at his alma mater, with a three-year contract at $170,000 per year ($120,000 base and $50,000 media bonus) plus $30,000 in incentives.

[2] Following the three-win 2003 season, Cable became the first Idaho head football coach fired in 22 years; his four predecessors had all achieved success in Moscow and moved on.

Four games into the 2008 season with the team's record at 1–3, Kiffin was fired by owner Al Davis and Cable was named the interim head coach.

Despite that, Cable plugged away and maintained a solid unit as Seattle’s line paved the way for Marshawn Lynch's career-year with 285 carries, 1,204 yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns.

Lynch also led the league the last half of the season with 941 yards and nine touchdowns, rushing for 100-plus in six of the last nine games, and became Seattle’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Shaun Alexander in 2005.

The most recent and dramatic is George Fant, who was a basketball power forward in college and played tight end for a single year.

[7] On August 17, 2009, ESPN reported that Cable was accused of punching assistant coach Randy Hanson in the face and fracturing his jaw.

[8] Hanson later filed a civil suit against Cable and the Raiders, citing assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

"[13] Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis specifically called attention to the allegations of violence against women and the altercation with Hanson as contributing to his decision to fire Cable.