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Football: Gregory update
By Jonathan Okanes
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 8:56 pm in Football, off-season stuff.
Just got done with the Tiny Bates Award banquet here in Sacramento. I have not been able to reach Bob Gregory today, but did speak with Jeff Tedford here tonight. He emphasized that this was strictly Gregory’s decision and that he wanted Gregory back as defensive coordinator. Tedford said Gregory is making the move to lighten his workload to spend more time with his two young boys. He said Gregory’s priorities have changed and has decided to focus more on his family. Not being a coordinator will allow him to do that.
Tedford wouldn’t name any names of potential replacemnets for Gregory, but did leave the banquet early to interview a candidate back at Cal late tonight. Tedford said a decision should come soon, possibly as early as Thursday.
Much more coverage to come, but for now I’m hitting I-80 to return back to the Bay Area.
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February 17th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Reading between the lines, it looks like this has been brewing for some time and that Tedford has spoken with a number of people (or at least his top target). You don’t conduct a late night interview on Wednesday and make a decision on Thursday. At least not when you’re talking about a DC at a D1 school. Assistant video coordinator maybe, but not DC.
I think Gregory is capitalizing on a personal relationship with Petersen and making a good “lifestyle” decision, but this probably wasn’t entirely voluntary. Based on absolutely nothing but the noise surrounding this move, it looks like someone on Tedford’s wish list became available very recently. If it’s Tosh, I’m obviously wrong…..I really hope I’m not this time.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Tosh isn’t ready for all of the obvious reasons, young and inexperienced. If Tedford is interviewing someone, they COULD be local. I’m guessing it is Coach Thompson. Yes, he has zero DC experience, but (1) he has a good working relationship with Tedford (2) he knows the 3-4. Those are very good reasons to avoid a coaching carousel like that of the OC. We all know what has happened to the offense as a result of that. I’m all for change after a few years to renew the emotion of the team, but not continual change which hinders cohesiveness of the staff to the players.
Go BEARS!
February 17th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Tedford’s intervention on the offensive side is a big contributor to the “coaching carousel”, as you refer to it. Not as much of a problem on the other side of the ball…If possible, JT should make a long term decision. Kind of awkward with the timing. That’s why I’m hoping my original throught is on target.
If it’s Thompson, there’s a very good chance I’ll kill myself.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I’m sure Gregory gave Tedford a heads up and that’s why the interviews have started.
Sounds like someone at Cal might be the hire. I’d be surprised if it was Tosh but I was surprised Gregory left.
BSU gets a great coach, a back-up DC if you want. Cost of living has to be a big boost. Half the money probably gets you what 1.5 a Bay Area salary buys you.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
This is the change we need. Gregory was a good coach, but with this explosive group of recruits, we need more aggressive schemes. Time to get innovative.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:36 am
The only person that deserves an upward mobility on the defensive side is Tosh, but he is not ready to be a coordinator yet. Thompson must not be a DC. He simply doesnt strike me as a great coach, he is more like a tool. Most importantly he has been under the tutelage of Gregory who is also not that great of a defensive minded person. We need an outside guy, someone who has shown the ability to adjust to and shut down offenses. My dream choice was Boise States defensive coordination but he got snagged by Tennessee. Tedford is an offensive minded head coach therefore whomever gets hired to be DC is pretty much on their own. This creates an added importance to the quality of the DC. This is a great opportunity to really improve this program lets hope Tedford doesn’t rush this.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:44 am
It is very simple why Gregory went to Boise.
1. A better chance to get to the BCS
2. BSU is a better team
LOL!!!!
February 18th, 2010 at 7:28 am
I’m happy for Gregory. It’s nice to see a guy put family first, and I have no reason to believe Tedford or he is pulling our chain. Maybe family stuff is why we were so unprepared for Oregon and USC. Anyway, I wish him well. Perhaps there are some d2 schools with DCs that are ready to step up, but I’d be fine giving Lupoi a spot. At some point in your career, you’re always a little over your head. I’d rather it with him here, than watch him cut his teeth somewhere else. Next year is going to be a strange year. Lots of raw talent. Lots of freshman playing, and likely a senior qb who’s on his way out. 2012 is the year. New stadium. Stud juniors. etc. Not giving up on them for 2 years, I just think that if Tosh is learning this year and next, maybe we get lucky, maybe not, but it could be pretty exciting.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Knowing how thorough Tedford is, he probably has a “wish list” in place for every member of his coaching staff in case he has to replace them. There should be a lot of interest in the position especially with Cal’s recent addition of quality defensive recruits.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
MoreNCS_are_ignored – troll post blocked
Beautiful – Thanks MikeD