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Football: Tedford’s status remains in limbo
By Jeff Faraudo
Sunday, November 18th, 2012 at 8:29 pm in Football.
On the day after the end of Cal’s worst football season in 11 years, there was no decision on coach Jeff Tedford’s future.
Tedford was scheduled to meet Sunday with athletic director Sandy Barbour after she watched the Bears lose 62-14 at Oregon State on Saturday night.
Barbour’s office at Haas Pavilion was locked and dark on Sunday afternoon, and she did not respond to a text message asking for an update. Likewise, Tedford wasn’t available for interviews.
An athletic department spokesman said in the early evening that there was no decision made or announcement planned.
A previously scheduled season-ending team meeting was moved from Sunday afternoon to Monday, with no details available.
Click here for the rest of the story.
*****
NOTE: Wanted to let you all know I will not be around during Thanksgiving week while attending my son Ryan’s graduation from Marine Corps boot camp. Jon Wilner on our staff will follow the Jeff Tedford story during my absence.
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November 18th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Have a great week JF, congrats on your son’s grad. Despite all indications to the contrary, us bloggers will survive (with our without the firing) and I would hope we all have a lot to be thankful for and will focus on those this week.
November 18th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
Thanks Jeff for being the best beat writer for Cal football. I appreciate all the updates this season and over the years in football and basketball. Happy Thanksgiving.
November 18th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
I agree with the good reporting part, but I take exception with JF’s comment that Cal is going to be stocked with plenty of young talent next year. Games are won in the trenches, and I was utterly unimpressed with the play along both the offensive and defensive lines this year. With that kind of wretched play, some of the those youngsters should have pushed themselves in the starting lineup. On the defensive side of the ball, Moala was a big disappointment this year. True freshman Todd Barr seemed to fade towards the end of the year. And I wonder why Freddie Tagoloa couldn’t break into the starting lineup with the worst offensive line of the Tedford era.
The strength and conditioning coach is going to be one of the most important hires of the new era, if there is one.
November 18th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Congrats, Jeff. Have a great holiday weekend.
November 18th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Congrats JF….you will have a better week than the other Jeff, that’s for sure….thanks for doing a great job all season…..always on it
November 18th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Jeff – I want to echo the sentiments on this board. Congratulations on your son’s graduation and great work this season. It’s been a pleasure to visit this blog each and every day. I appreciate your effort and diligence.
To all my fellow Bears fans: here’s to a better future for Bears football and a great Thanksgiving for Jeff Faraudo.
November 19th, 2012 at 7:22 am
Let’s hope today is the day we get our program back!!
November 19th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Have a nice break Jeff. Thanks for your contributions.
November 19th, 2012 at 9:05 am
Happy Thanksgiving! I know one thing I’ll be thankful for, if it comes to pass today or tomorrow.
November 19th, 2012 at 9:52 am
One of the biggest weaknesses of the team the last 2 years was discipline. Too many personal fouls. That falls on Tedford, especially since so many of them were committed by upper classmen. the playbook needs to be simplified. that also falls on Tedford. whoever is coach next year has a good, not great, foundation that can be supplemented by some ready jc players. perhaps tedford and Sandy were discussing modifying his contract. keep him on for one more year if he waives some or all of the guarantee for 2014 and 2015.
November 19th, 2012 at 9:53 am
@Covinared, why would JT waive ANYTHING from his contract??? Would you in his shoes???
November 19th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Congratulations to your family Jeff. Thanks for all your work here. You really do a great job and I find your blog to be very enjoyable.
November 19th, 2012 at 10:03 am
Interesting idea @Covinared. If JT is prepared to “compete”, then he gets another year to prove himself with high stakes. He would have to accept giving Cal the option on his contract or a negotiated buyout at the end of next season.
The problem is, how would JT recruit, when he could be accurately labelled as a lame duck by other programs?
I just don’t see it. I think they are negotiating terms of a face-saving buyout/retirement agreement.
November 19th, 2012 at 10:09 am
When is the press conference scheduled? Going nuts waiting…
November 19th, 2012 at 10:21 am
There is nothing Tedford can say or promise that can convince anybody that he will instantly and radically change his approach to coaching. Same old predictable game plan. Same old excuses for not playing his best player. Same old stiff posture on the sidelines. Same old closed practices. Same old results against BCS opponents with winning records, especially on national TV (blowouts). Same old zero preparation by #2 QB’s (no 1st team reps for Bridgford – see also Brock Manion) Same old zero game experience for back-up QB’s at the end of blowout losses (remember USC is 2010 down 48-0 at halftime? Rile stayed in ebecauee he gives us the best chance to win – the 2nd half). How did he respond to his worst loss ever, a 42 point spread against the Ducks? He goes out and gets a 48 point spread against the Beavers. Bottom line is his players have jumped ship. Worst thing a football program can have is a total rejection of its head coach by his players. AS a 30-year season ticket holder and former varsity athlete at Cal, I join the rest of you feeling that if Tedford comes back, I’m done attending and suporting this mess. For $2.5 million, this is criminal.
November 19th, 2012 at 10:24 am
BadBill: I am assuming Ted is motivated by more than money with all he has made to this point. Its about his legacy and enjoying the fruits of the new facilities for which he fought so hard. the effects on recruting would be set off by focusing more on jc players this year. they have shorter horizons and would have a chance to step in and contribute right away.
November 19th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@Covinared
1. I agree with you that Tedford has an incentive to try to “prove” his failings at Cal weren’t really his failings, and will want a new gig, even if it means that he surrenders some of the money owed by Cal. Moreover, if he plays hardball with Cal over his buy-out, why would any school/NFL team want to give him any benefit of the doubt? Playing hardball is classless.
2. I am SO GLAD you have gone full bore on joining the Tedford needs to go camp. If Bobby and Boaltblue take the wool off (and offer up an apology or two to the likes of Dan et al) it will have been a very good year.
November 19th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Just swore out loud in waiting room of my dentist.
Wilner tweets in last hour (and I really, really hope he’s wrong):
“Have talked to multiple sources in past 24 hrs. Don’t hold me to it, but my guess is that Jeff Tedford will be back at Cal next season. And I think Tedford will be back with specific changes mandated from above.”
“The belief Tedford will return is strongest among those w/ close connections to Cal/Barbour. It’s sources on periphery who think he’s done.”
WTF!
November 19th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Jeff, congratulations to your son and your family.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week – then back to it, Hoops. Great work this season.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:09 am
A stubborn, lame duck being micro managed from above. Why didn’t I think of that. Brilliant! BCS here we come!!
November 19th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Eric: glad to make you happy. I started having doubts on tedford fairly early on. Most of my comments in his favor were mainly rebuttals to reasons why he should go, mostly those who think his play calling is too conservative. I think he over complicates his offense. it has turned out to be too much for young minds to grasp.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:13 am
If Wilner is right…then wow. Unfrikin’ believable.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:20 am
At least the 49ers are good. I will get my football fix tonight. Gonna be fun to watch a Kaepernick do his thing, man he tore Cal a new one in ’10.
If JT returns to the Cal sideline for next season I will pretend that college football has ceased to exist. I may even skip out on some basketball games this year too just because I won’t want to be in the same room as Sandy Barbour – afraid I might throw a box of popcorn on her or something.
Watching Cal football under JT’s “guidance” makes me want to commit criminal acts…better to just put my head in the sand and watch more English Premier League on Saturdays…
November 19th, 2012 at 11:30 am
Well that would blow! I refuse to watch another game if he’s back. I just took off my CAL sweatshirt, for I am finished supporting this SLOP
November 19th, 2012 at 11:33 am
Bummer. I really liked college football, too. I won’t be watching this mess either. Basketball and NFL, I guess.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:45 am
What a shame if that’s true. Thanks to everyone who took the time to email the AD why we needed a change.
Travesty. Damn travesty.
This would mean I was right when I commented yesterday evening that the postponement to today could mean he’s back and they have to tie some “changes” up before meeting with the team.
If he’s back I’m officially going to move on from Tedford to want Sandy fired.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:45 am
It must come down to money. The cost of a buyout would make it very difficult or impossible to pay the salary a good replacement would demand. But the idea that directives from ‘above’ (read the AD) are going to turn the program around is kind of laughable. Who would she rely on for advice? All the big donor alumni? Good luck with that, unless you want people like moron’s daddy calling the shots. If what Wilner said is true, JT is going to be around to the end of his contract. No doubt.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:48 am
I just checked and http://www.firesandybarbour.com is available.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:50 am
not going to the games. not donating to the program. and when caller id pops up with 510-643-xxxx, I’m giving them a piece of my mind.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:51 am
athletic.director@berkeley.edu
One of my reasons why I think Tedford will be back, and I’ve been saying for a while he would be back, is b/c we’re a passive fan base who assume that someone else will give Sandy a piece of their mind.
November 19th, 2012 at 11:57 am
1. We are a passive fan base.
2. If Sandy fires Tedford she has to know she’ll be fired in due time. So her giving him another year is her playing her best hand. Hope like hell that he turns it around and thus turns her prospects at the University around as well.
3. If he’s back this doesn’t mean 1 more year, this means through to 2015. Let’s be clear about that.
Next year he’ll have an improvement over these 3 losses. Which will get him another year. That year will be Kline’s second starting or first. Which means we’ll be decent. Kraft Hunger or Insight Bowl here we come. So of course he’ll be back for 2015 which he’ll close out with an 8 win season.
THIS IS RIDICULOUS WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AT OUR UNIVERSITY, DOES ANYONE GIVE A GOOD FISH ABOUT WINNING A ROSE BOWL !!!!!
November 19th, 2012 at 11:58 am
If anyone will write off spending $ on our football program, as will I if Tedford is back, I’d like to recruit you guys to contribute to Cal Baseball.
They’re installing lights this year so we’ll have night games for the first time.
November 19th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
the main reason why he would be coming back is $6.9 mil.
November 19th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Doubt it.
How many times did different writers like Wilner, Faraudo, Crumpacker all say “the money is there.”
Same story when Tosh left, “the money was there.”
It’s choices by leadership who feel little pressure to take chances b/c people will still show up and will still spend $.
I bet if you look at final home game attendance this year isn’t that different than the past few.
November 19th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Message sent, Juancho
November 19th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Covina I probably agree with you but I had to counter-argue you per arch nemesis guidelines.
November 19th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Thank you Rollon. Not to late to add to the list of Sandy emailers:
-Juancho
-Wehofx
-Eric
-1brsfan
-BlakeStreet
-Rollon
athletic.director@berkeley.edu
November 19th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Juancho: thanks for the counter argument that did not mention Zach Kline.
November 19th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
#36 & #38 LOL
Tweeted sb twice, too. Last one:
“#tedford did a lot 4 #Cal but it’s past time to go. The over used cliche about insanity? don’t do the same thing AGAIN & expect diff result”
November 19th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
“Changes from above”= zack kline will start.
Great. The kline card was probably played to save this guys job. Thats fair right.
November 19th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
FYI, I wrote SB too.
November 19th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Thank you will.
Juancho
Wehofx
Will
Eric
1brsfan
Rollon
Blakestreet
November 19th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
The white elephant in the room is still your deplorable APR but it is obvious that your AD and higher ups don’t care.
Where is that one poster who infrequently visits this board during losing seasons who should help clarify matters?Afterall he advises many of the football players. Why the epic failure? What is the reasonable explanation for being the second lowest team in the Pac 12?
Does he think that instead of taking Food Appreciation classes that give out ‘F’s maybe the players should stick to the real gimmees?
November 19th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
I’m betting the ultimate issue is that there is no money to buy him out and bring in a replacement, not after so many have been tapped over and over again between the upgraded facilities and almost-axed sports programs.
The hole is probably so big that even a significant boost to the program with a great turn around under a new coach (even a cheap one) would not bring in more money than a firing would cost the school.
Oh, if we only had our own version of Uncle Phil.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
So then the AD should resign or be fired right ? That contract is her fault.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Moren: what is your prediction for the Trojans the next few years? it seems this year was the last chance to finish amongst the elite since the scholarship limits are going to really start having an effect the next 2-3 years. now ucla is the hot ticket.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Are you kidding?
pucla wins one game making it two since 1998 and you call them the hot ticket.
We will do fine no doubt about it. Playing Utah, Wazzou, Colorado, ASU and UC East Bay gives us 5 automatic wins.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
The Sac Bee Cal reporter has also tweeted out that his sources say Tedford is back.
I feel so heartbroken. Now what ? Same garbage as always.
And now Tedford will get killed in recruiting by Tosh, AND by everyone else in the conference who will tell recruits – “Who knows how long Tedford will survive up there, he almost got fired last year.”
Haas business school needs to manage our athletic department. At least there are people there who are keen and objective in terms of long-term growth strategy.
Barbour is digging this hole deeper and deeper. Tedford will be here 3 more seasons.
3 MORE SEASONS
That is heartbreaking.
I haven’t been this dissapointed since hearing Lil’ Wayne’s rock album.
Zack Kline – TRANSFER TO SAN JOSE STATE.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Covina, no need to get predictions from a guy that said the NC and Heisman were a lock for $C this year. From #1…to UNRANKED. LOL.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
#48 Yes. I know he said that.
I wonder where he got his source?
November 19th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
3 more years = Kline as a redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior.
Zack Kline, I hope you are ready. Beacause Tedford’s legacy is now in your hands. The gentleman who gave you zero reps with the 1s this year, and probably zero reps with the 2s, has now convinced the administration to bring him back. I bet your name came up.
The Kline redshirt should have been a sign to everyone that Tedford was never even in serious danger of losing his job. That’s why I kept wanting to see the kid play, because that would have shown Tedford had some urgency and was worried about the real possibility he would lose his job.
Well turns out it wasn’t a real possibility at all. So now Tedford will bang his head against the wall EVEN HARDER next year, and the year after that, and after that.
Thanks Tedford for taking some of the magic of Zack Kline away from me.
Kline will now always have the stench of Tedford staying connected to him. Great.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Juancho, my point is that the Haas business approach is the reason Tedford comes back. It is likely the only option that makes fiscal sense at this point.
Remember, so much got screwed by the delayed renovations, so much money . . .
Then, on top of it, the bubble burst and CA went into the crapper.
I can’t blame our wealthier boosters for finally saying no to more money, seeing that we don’t have any with money to burn.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
I guess the next step is trying to guess which of the assistants get fired, here are my guesses:
Marcus Arroyo – 100%
Jeff Genyk – 100%
Todd Howard – 75%
Ron Gould – 50%
To offset the Tedford factor, it’s imperative Cal find a young and dynamic guy who can be a top recruiter nationally. Someone preferrably who is an alumni. Someone preferrably who can hit a strong niche market like either an elite school (De La Salle), or an ethnic niche (like Island Boys), and someone who can connect with top kids via social media or just communication style. Someone relentless. Someone who would do anything to get it done and fast.
Oh wait, he’s at Washington.
THIS HAS BEEN A DISASTER OF A YEAR FROM START TO FINISH. SANDY NEEDS TO BE FIRED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THIS.
AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
November 19th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Wisdom, yes or no should the person who hamstrung the school with the guaranteed contract be fired ?
Simple question.
I say yes.
If not for that ridiculous contract he’d be fired then. So the question is, who is responsible there and what is happening there.
How about some “changes from above” for Sandy Barbour. I’ll settle for making her change her hair style.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
I don’t mean Haas should run the football program, I mean Haas should effectively be the AD. Rendering Sandy surplus to requirements.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 19th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
The same numbers issues would apply to Sandy, Jauncho, so I don’t know the answer, not knowing (a) her contract, and (b) how much a replacement would cost.
Also, while football may be the top revenue sport, making the Tedford K alone a firing offense, she did get the facilities upgraded, during a recession after dealing with a residential war.
Last, I am among the few that though her axing of baseball was the CORRECT move, because it was the only program which would have outraged alumni and boosters enough to be saved by last minute contributions. I think it was a calculated gamble to actually save the most programs. She takes a lot of heat for it, but I thought it was intentional and resulted in what she wanted.
WHICH . . .
raises the possibility that without currently having the money to change HCs, an announcement of his returning may well be the only way to raise the money needed to fire him.
At least I can hope.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
If the reports are true this is such a disappointment. I was hanging on to “at least next year we’ll have a different coach” to get through this season. Now all hope seems to be lost. unbelievable.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Wisdom, my point is Haas people wouldn’t have given Tedford the guaranteed contract to infinity that she did.
The facilities that the Wall Street Journal pointed out may bankrupt the whole school ? The facilities that were supposed to bring is the top recruits ? Guess what, we already had great recruits b/c of Tosh. We should have spent more $ to keep him and maybe those facilities would be to put use.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Yesterday moron said it was leaving for the year then proceeded to post 4 more times. Its posting as usual today as well. Do you ever tell the truth, moron? If so, when? For someone who claims to hate Cal, its athletics and its fans; for someone who constantly calls the legitimate posters on this blog “whiners”, “losers”, “cowards”, and all sorts of other names, why is it that you are so obsessed with interjecting yourself into a Cal sports fan blog where you are universally despised? Are you really that stupid? Clueless? Or, just a chronic LIAR???
November 19th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Him coming back means 3 more seasons. He will not be fired before he chooses to retire in 2015.
He’ll end up finding even older and more out of touch assistants to hire this year. We’re going to bring in Marv Levy to twitter for us. We’ll hire Bob Dylan to play a concert for recruits. We’ll bring in Sophia Loren to show the recruits around campus. Dick Vermeil will come in to play modern warfare with the recruits.
I’m so bummed out.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Is 3 more years of Tedford worth it for the facilities to you guys? I actually think that’s a tough question.
I’d rather go back to pre-facilities at this point. Facilities didn’t keep Marshawn, or Desean, or Rodgers from coming here.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Juancho, I just don’t look at the renovations the same way. I look at the decisions made WHEN the decisions were made.
Was it a horrible risk at the time? If you thought so, thanks for warning the rest of us that the bubble was about to burst and the economy would go to hell.
Even then, I do wonder what the numbers would look like had the entire tree-sitters and Panoramic Tool Association delays had not occurred.
As for the recruits, Tosh was selling the upgraded facilities too. Hell, guys recruited 8 years ago were told they would be around for them.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
What if Colorado goes after Petrino, and Washington State gets MacIntyre?
We’re really going to fall behind the proverbial 8 ball if those two schools make a move up this year with the good candidates out there.
If MacIntyre goes to a Pac 12 competitor he is going to really hurt our recruiting.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
At that time I was against them. I always have thought Cal doesn’t have the culture to pay them off if they were going to need ESP seats. I’m a Raiders fan. I’ve been through the ESP mess before.
I respect your perspective though Wisdom and you make good and valid points. I just don’t agree with you on this one.
I guess I look at the results of decisions made when the decision maker is still an employee in order to project forward. I don’t think Sandy is good enough. The stadium thing is part of it, the real beef I have is the contract she gave Tedford and how it hamstrung the program.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
The people involved here get paid millions of dollars to mitigate against risks and ensure that long term the right results are achieved.
That’s why it’s so hard to stomach this.
The dollar amounts are huge. And I think a lot of folks, I’d even say the majority of us are going to be real unhappy that Tedford is back. But because it would be too expensive (a problem Sandy created) to replace him – we won’t, for another 3 years.
So she gets to keep collecting a huge paycheck on the state’s dime?
This fiasco outweights any positive she has brought to us.
I volunteer to keep track of the pros and cons of her tenure so far, everyone feel free to add.
Pros:
new facilities
mike montgomery hiring
Cons:
cut several sports angering donors
ESP adoption needed to pay off new facilities
tedford contract renewal
not firing tedford
worsening academic results of student athletes
November 19th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Forgot one.
Pros:
new facilities
mike montgomery hiring
Cons:
cut several sports angering donors
ESP adoption needed to pay off new facilities
tedford contract renewal
not firing tedford
worsening academic results of student athletes
Tosh fiasco
November 19th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Everyone is retarded who says Cal can’t afford to buy out JT.
Here is the math:
With Tedford Cal will average about 20K less people per home game. 6 home games next year = 120K less bodies in the stadium. I estimate that each body puts about $100 into the UC coffer: tickets+food+merchandise etc. That is 120,000 x $100 = $12,000,000.
That is the amount of money the UC is gonna lose if they keep Tedford, not to mention the lost money because there will be no bowl game again.
The cost of firing him is $6.9 + whatever the new guys make. It makes NO sense to keep him financially. What part of the above equation is wrong?
November 19th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
$6.9M
November 19th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
The rest of the sports are highly competitive, and she’s hired and/or retained all of their coaches during her tenure. I know football and hoops are the biggest money makers, but she’s done very well with hoops, and women’s hoops, golf, swimming, water polo, and just about every other program except baseball and rugby if you count rugby.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Not trying to change your mind, Jauncho. I just don’t hold the same perspective on Barbour (though the K was definitely an error).
If I recall correctly, some very bad luck was also involved. Had the bubble burst earlier, I bet the renovations would not have been done. At the time, the facility was not going to be given a pass by the State for mandatory earthquake retrofits (if I’m remembering right, damn that was a long time ago!). Since they had to retrofit, it made sense to gamble on the full renovation.
———————–
I’m depressed and done on this until we get a real update. I’m hoping Colin Kaeperunamuck still has his penchant for running wild over and around Bears tonight. That would help my spirits a little.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Each body puts $100 into the coffers? No way.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
I hope Kaepernick and the niners lose. Go Raiders.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Rollon – detail for me her involvement in how she improved those programs. If I’m not mistaken, those programs were already good before she got here.
She gets no points for retaining coaches that were already put in place. I will give her a point for the new womens bball coach hire, that was a good one.
Pros:
new facilities
mike montgomery hiring
new women’s bball coach
Cons:
cut several sports angering donors
ESP adoption needed to pay off new facilities
tedford contract renewal
not firing tedford
worsening academic results of student athletes
Tosh fiasco
November 19th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Beat ALL 2013 Opponents with EXTREME PREJUDICE, regardless of the coach who in the end gains zero yardage and make zero tackles.
In a nutshell, we were not very good this year. We had our chances to execute and we did not. I saw few games where we were the favorite and we lost due to X’s and O’s. We just were not very good on both sides of the ball. Re-read Post #3. That is US this year. Bill Walsh, Vince Lombardi and every coach named above would all be in the same spot. Poor execution Bear Fans. Poor execution. With that said, I look forward to 2013 like all of you. Go Bear Basketball! Beat (Sir Francis) Drake with EXTREME PREJUDICE!!!
November 19th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Men’s golf coach has been at Cal 34 years so she doesn’t get points for that.
Men’s swimming coach was hired by Sandy. She could get a point there if someone can confirm for me that we’re elite in men’s swimming. (I can’t swim)
Men’s tennis coach has been at Cal for 20 years. So no credit to her there.
Men’s water polo coach has been at Cal for 11 years. So no credit to her there.
Women’s golf coach has been here 17 years.
Women’s softball coach has been here 25 years.
Women’s swimming coach been here 21 years.
Women’s tennis coach was hired by Sandy. So if someone can confirm we’re elite in women’s tennis then she gets credit there. I don’t have the lateral movement I once had so I’m not up to speed on tennis.
Women’s volleyball coach has been here 14 years.
Women’s track & field has been here 30 years.
November 19th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Don’t know much about SJSU’s MacIntyre, but I couldn’t stomach Petrino walking the sidelines at Memorial….he’d be the classic hire….go opposite of what we have now….he’s the ying to Tedford’s yang……Bad dude and excellent coach
November 19th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@The Wisdom Cow, OK, how much do you think each body contributes? Try to give an actual response and not just a “No way.” You are probably smarter than that…
Average ticket = $?
Average food/drink = $?
Average merchandise = $?
Average parking = $?
Average donation = $?
I don’t think the $100 per is that far off considering some people pay a ton for tickets and buy a ton of food and merchandise and they balance out against those that pay little.
And even if it is only $60 per body per game that still comes out to be $7.2M in lost revenue straight outta the box. Keeping JT makes NO financial sense – rebuttals wanted please?
November 19th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
So is it official now that JT is not fired or still precision speculation?
November 19th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
He will be fired at the end of next year. There won’t be any inprovement, and all of the other schools will take a step forward. We will drop to 12th in the Pac12. Our recruiting will be even crappier than this year. But then it will take a long time to dig our way out. It will be a decade before we have a chance to contend again. Sad but true.
November 19th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
I’ll stick with the less intelligent “no way,” tyvm.
First, the average numbers you are looking for are among those that would not be coming, not the actual average of all fans, which makes a substantial difference. I don’t see as large a percentage of big spenders being in that group than exist among the die hards.
I’d bet more of them are likely to be BART riders (though what % actually use UC parking?), but more importantly, I’d bet on a huge majority being fairly thrifty. Those that come for multiple games are less likely to be spending on merchandise in each outing, etc.
Also, how much will a top coach (one that would actually increase attendance by 20k) cost? What if he sucks, too? I’m betting that the fiscal risks get larger, and if the program does bring in a certain amount of money, more sports get put on the chopping block.
Like Juancho notes, the team will probably improve next year, if only for the short term beginning of the season, where a Kline based ad-campaign and a few early wins is probably a good bet to bring in some of those casual fans before the floor drops out on Tedford, again.
If the money were not an issue, there is simply “no way” Teford remains HC.
November 19th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Don’t forget, Wilner could be wrong. jt still might be on his way out. Good news?
Dennis O’Donnell (???reliable???) @KPIXSPORTS tweeted:
@coachtedford Jeff Tedford will meet with AD Sandy Barbour @calathletics for a 2nd time tonight. He remains uncertain about job status.
BlakeSt, I think it’s more in $50 to $60 range but I agree. esp’s NOT sold is going to be an even bigger financial hit. Recruiting goes further down hill. I don’t see how sb can afford to keep jt.
What hot in-demand assistant would in their right mind work for jt in this situation?
sb was at corvallis. How could she not see the team rack up all those stupid penalties? 15 penalties for 172 yards? That stat says everything. jt lost the team.
I still (stupidly?) hold out hope that sb and the big $$$ Old Blues are going to see the light of reason. sb will show us that she hasn’t lost her mind.
Go Bears!
November 19th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Stop with all of the hysteria.
You are a rugby school.
Save all of the angst for that day.
November 19th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
How about the Kent State coach? Kent State is having a wonderful season.
November 19th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
IF Tedfraud is back I will have NOTHING to do in 2013 with the worthless pos that Cal football has been these past 4 years. NOTHING! I never went to Cal anyways and my father who did would vomit and puke at the lack of leadership within the Althletic Department currently. The W/Ls since 2007 and terrible academic graduation rates scream!!!! for Tedfraud to be fired. And the amount of protection that bum has from the worthless useless AD Barbour and a terrible awful expensive contract is an utter joke. Two of my brothers in law went to Fresno St. – they looked and played great this year under a new coach. I can easily spend my Saturdays cheering them on over cal.UC Davis my own school plays with my heart than cal does. I’m done if Tedfraud stays. What an embarrassment.
November 19th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Woj, I love the passion!!
It is a no-brainer regarding JT’s (in)competency and (lack of any) leadership. I can’t believe that there is even a “meeting” (or two!) taking place as this decision should be a totally unilateral dismissal that is backed by the ENTIRE Cal community – especially the deep pockets.
November 19th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
More Wilner tweets:
“Cal athletics spokesman: Barbour and Tedford are continuing to meet.” Continuing mtngs btwn Tedford & Barbour fit the narrative that he’ll be back if they reach agreement on major changes to program”
Changes to program? WTF? Like I said #82, no hot in-demand assistant will work for jt.
Last time I checked twitter and iba this often was during loi day/week.
November 19th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Maybe they are just negotiating a buyout and JT is being stubborn, imagine that.
There is nothing JT can do that will help the program except stepping down, negotiating a fair buyout and then riding off into the sunset…
November 19th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
At SC if we wanted to buy out Kiffin’s contract we would ask for the money by 9AM and by the time we had it our rich alumni in Hawaii would be begging for a chance to contribute.
Royalties from the Dukes movies would be half of it.
I warned you that your fundraising efforts weren’t getting there. Why did they call Daddy?
You guys got played by all of the rumors. LOL
November 19th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
LOL! Love greasemonkey.
“MoreNCS_are_ignored and sanctioned! troll post blocked”
November 19th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
If I was the Cal AD, my final meeting with Tedford would have been weeks ago and consisted of the following -
Jeff you are being fireed for incompetency and lack of leadership along with a poor W/L record since 2007 and terrible academic graduation rates all along.
Question 1 – How much of the $6.9M in salary my predecessor foolishly, and I stress foolishly gave you and your agent in 2007 are you willing to give back to Cal in exchange for your freedom. If you say $0 please be prepared to be demoted to Head Honcho of Stadium cleanup with a staff of 1 (You) to manage. Your backup job will be the ‘head coach of cleanup’ in the new performance facilities.
Question 2 – How many boxes do you need for your office stuff? 4 or 5?
November 19th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Bruce Jenkins, the esteemed Chronicle columnist, said it best earlier this season……”Things never end well for Cal football, never.” Sounds like this is just part of the script being played out. As a huge fan, but a non alum, I can only imagine the angst being felt by the Cal grads who have no choice but to stick with the program. Like Woj, I can and will defect if this nonsense continues. I mean, Tedford has already lost the team. He does not have their respect. How in hell would he get it back?
November 19th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
If Tedfraud is back, here are some assistants to add to the 2013 dead men walking I cannot find any other job staff: Paul Wulff, Tom Holmoe, Derek Dooley, any coach at Temple from 2000-2007, any coach at New Mexico St. from the last 15 years, Buddy Teevens, Walt Harris, Dan Hawkins (who actually might be the best of this sad bunch).
cal 2013 season Tix? Call 1-510-PATSY13 or 1-800-EASYWIN4U
November 19th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Looking forward to Fresno St. 2013 football! Go Bulldogs!
Looking forward to UC Davis Aggies football! Go Ags!
And playing on my UC background, Go UCLA Bruins – now that is a rising team coached by someone passionate who gets the most out of his players. Go Bruins!
November 19th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Tedford lost the team, lost his recruiter, and now the alumni/fan base.
November 19th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Even though I disagree with keeping Tedford, I refuse to give up on the players.
November 19th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@Will, of course.
Last Thursday I saw a member of the football team while waiting in line for a downtown Berkeley atm and I just gave him a pat on the back and a smile, told him to hang in there. You are right, the players actually suffer the worst, having to put up with the JT charade on a very intimate level.
November 19th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
@Will
None of us should give up on the players. The issue is what constitutes “giving up” and what constitutes “supporting” the players.
In my view, Tedford’s exceedingly poor coaching alone justifies firing him, and failing to do so does not support the players. But adding to it his apparent disregard for, or at minimum negligence concerning, academics (after selling himself as a coach who cares about academics), failing to fire him does not support the players. And then I think about what he did to Tavecchio, and then failing to take sole responsibility for the Oregon flog-gate, I say to myself he could care less about the players – he is only concerned with himself.
Maybe I am so annoyed at the incompetence in the football program – at a University that is otherwise spectacular in so many ways – that I now see only the absolute worst in Tedford.
But make no mistake – the failure to fire Tedford now will cause far more harm to the players, and if it takes boycotts of games (or walking out with our pocket books), so be it.
November 19th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
I don’t think anyone has given up on the players. Even if Tedford is back I’ll be dooped into rooting for the team against next year.
But I will stick to my pledge to not spend a dime on them until they fire Barbour.
November 19th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
100 posts on a limbo thread suggests fans really want JT to go. This is going to be so ugly if he stays.
November 19th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Right ROllon – I dont think anyone wants him to stay but the bigger unanswered question is Why can’t Juancho swim?
November 19th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Esteban in the great republic of texas.
I blame the town i was raised in. No pools at our schools. And during my childhood i was too busy being a baseball star.
And then once i became an adult i became too much of a chicken. Plus now i refuse to ever learn bc if i learn now ill realize how much time i lost not swimming.
Its a travesty. But im tedfording this one.
November 19th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Hermanos did anyone watch or listen to 60 minutes? They had a segment on the business of college football. We were mentioned as one of the gluttons of facilities spending.
November 19th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
@rollon, there are only 71 posts if you don’t count Juancho… messages r blowin up worse than my ex-gf. but the suspense is killing me too.
November 19th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Raf email the ad.
Athletic.director@berkeley.edu
November 19th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_22029879/cal-football-coach-jeff-tedford-still-limbo
November 19th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Another one.
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Cal-s-Tedford-and-Barbour-still-talking-4051609.php
As jeff faraudos self appointed VP of blog operations i have to fulfill my responsibilities. In addition to being 2012 bear talk blog most inspirational award winner.
November 19th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
To truly support the program, we need to show “tough love”. Supporting the program when it blatently is choosing to be mediocre to avoid shedding light on prior past bad decisions is not doing anyone any good. These are well paid people here, and they are also acting as fiduciary for state and public funds. We cannot put our heads in the sand as they act irresponsably and selfishly and borderline criminally. We need to absolutely stop all support of the program and mandate a change. That is what real support of the porgram means.
November 19th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
I think you were the sole proprietor of the vote auditing firm as well….
November 19th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Daredevil the elections may not have been fair but they had high turnout.
I congratulate you for winning the 2012 bear talk blog most diabolical award.
November 19th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Does anybody want to start an online petition as another way of showing what the fans think? If we can get at least a couple of thousand signatures, maybe they will take notice.
November 19th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
The cal save tedford campaign is on full blast right now on 95.7 in the bay.
November 19th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Guess who theyre talking about. Kline !
Too predictable. Injuries the problem. Kline the reason to bring blackhawk country club back. Pathetic.
Fire sandy barbour and tedford.
November 19th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Wilner will be on 95.7 in a few minutes
November 19th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Two comments.
1. If it is true that “changes from above” mean that changes in Tedford’s coaching strategies/salary/etc. are made, then maybe people can have some fun describing what those changes might be.
2. Personally, as I have aid before, I think that the major changes that should have been made was to have Tedford take a big pay cut and transfer that pay cut to his assistants, primarily Tosh. With the top 10 recruiting class Cal would have had with Lupoi, Tedford would have more easily returned for next year and without having to deal with changes being made to how he runs his football program.
November 19th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Sickening
November 19th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Gobears. That class wasnt just top 10 it was 3.
And included dj foster offensive freshmen of year. Shaq thompson defensive freshmen of year.
And would have been just as goid year after year.
Instead tedford was afraid to pay tosh more than clancy.
Sandy is average. Tedford is terrible. Cal could have been great. Instead were here today.
November 19th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Daddy asked me tonight if that 49er QB was the one who killed you guys against Nevada. He said “I just want to make sure it wasn’t the other one.Maybe he can go to the Raiders.”
HAHAHAHAHA
November 19th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Proof of why abortion should be legalized.
November 20th, 2012 at 12:16 am
I agree Sandy is average. Hate to sound like a broken record, but the loss of Tosh really hurt Cal’s future prospects. I think a top notch recruiter, which Tosh was, is more valuable to a team than a defensive coordinator.
If Sandy was at the top of her game, she would have realized that and would have taken some sort of creative step to keep Tosh, such as gently telling Tedford he was overpaid and should sacrifice some of his salary to keep Tosh (assuming no money could be raised from outside sources to do that).
November 20th, 2012 at 8:10 am
Tosh clearly wasn’t happy working for Cal anymore, either because he got bus tossed (deservedly) or because he just couldn’t stand working for JT anymore. We offered to match UW’s ridiculous offer, and when UW raised it again, he bolted. It was his excuse for leaving, and a pretty profitable one as well. To me, the problem wasn’t the money, it was JT, and Tosh was more than happy to leave.
November 20th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Sandy has one chance to make this right. Remove JT as head coach. Any combination of adjustments that involves him staying at the helm is a recipe for continued disaster.
November 20th, 2012 at 9:48 am
If its gone on this long, they must be negotiating a buy out.
November 20th, 2012 at 9:51 am
Team meeting at 10am
November 20th, 2012 at 9:55 am
Ya. Tweets:
“Mandatory #Cal football team meeting at 10AM. Sport Information Directors called into a 9:30 AM meeting beforehand.”
“@Kameron3Jackson: It could be ehh”
Let’s hope. Fingers crossed.
November 20th, 2012 at 9:55 am
Or renegotiating contract.
November 20th, 2012 at 9:57 am
One more tweet:
Joe Davidson @SacBee_JoeD
Hearing from 2 directly linked to Cal that Jeff Tedford has been fired. Mandatory team meeting within minutes
November 20th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Sounds like he’s toast.
November 20th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Fired as opposed to resigning? I guess that means he’s taking the full package.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:02 am
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
November 20th, 2012 at 10:05 am
Time to buy season tickets!
November 20th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Can’t blame the man for taking the full package. They may have worked out some system to defer the payments though.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:12 am
I heard he’s staying with the program just not as head coach? Anyone have details on this?
November 20th, 2012 at 10:12 am
If Tedfraud is indeed fired that means there is sun on the horizon of Cal football and I’m in for 2013. Get Bobby Petrino on the phone pronto. He built great teams at Louisville and at Arkansas. Tell his wife he’ll only have a 1 seater motorcycle and mount a camera on the back she can peek in on when he’s rolling on 2 wheels.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:12 am
That would be bizarre. Where did you see this, our great sage Juancho?
November 20th, 2012 at 10:15 am
My college buddy texted me hes staying in the front office. Hes apparently following twitters. Ill see if i can get more details.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Just received an ESPN notification on my phone reporting that an inside source had said that JT is not returning.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:16 am
GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember, no one person is bigger than the program. Thanks Coach, and best of luck. Sincerely.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Friend has a well connected friend who has connections to the administration.
So it hasnt been tweeted. Well see if its true or bs i was sent.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Let me guess Juancho, Tedford’s our new 2.3 million a year video coordinator
Woj…..Petrino’s a clown and a bad dude…..we can do better than that
November 20th, 2012 at 10:18 am
SFgate says out, too.
Praise R’hllor!
November 20th, 2012 at 10:19 am
Wilner just put it up, too.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:20 am
If you’re right Juancho, I wouldn’t oppose that. He does care about the program, and hey, at least we’re probably getting something for the 7 mil that we’re paying him.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:20 am
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8656441/jeff-tedford-california-golden-bears-3-9-season-source-says
Please be true!
November 20th, 2012 at 10:20 am
Let’s get Justin Wilcox or Willie Taggart, some ass kicking young gun who can recruit and fire up our team to expect to win every game!!
No more kneel down Bears!!
November 20th, 2012 at 10:23 am
That’s the point .. I don’t want a ‘good’ guy coach. That was Tedmoe. Well likely, coached up the team to be confused doormats. I want a guy that is all about maximizing Wins and Losses. That’s Petrino. He’s won everywhere in college football he’s landed. The only other guy with his cache that can be had ‘possibly’ is Chris Petersen – BSU’s head man but he may prefer gorging on 4 or 5 cupcakes a year to pay the win total and salary than jump into the difficult Pac12.
Other names to now focus on – Jon Gruden, Mike Holmgren, some stud SEC defensive coordinator who has proven he can shut down athletic offenses, Hue Jackson.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:24 am
I wouldn’t mind stealing Wilcox from UW.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:25 am
It’s a brand new day in Cal Bear Football land. Rejoice!!
November 20th, 2012 at 10:28 am
I don’t want Tedford to have any ties to the school as an employee. He has burnt too many bridges and at this point represents a sad part in our history.
It would be like keeping Holmoe as AD.
Plus – Tedford having any say in anything means Wilcox and Tosh won’t be considered. He shouldn’t have a voice. He had a voice for 11 years. Time for a change.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:29 am
Selling points are there. New stadium and facilities. The team has a talented set of young players at many skill positions ready to go. A new HC with good recruiting skills could be in very good shape very soon.
Now, it’s time for some fun.
So, Juancho, if Sandy managed to pull Gruden in, would you still want her fired?
November 20th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Can someone drive down to San Jose and give Mike MacIntyre a ride to Berkeley?
November 20th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Wisdom – no I would not.
I think if she did fire him then she deserves credit for this very hard decision.
I wanted her fired if she KEPT HIM.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:33 am
I’ll be happiest with a guy that runs the pro-set as a base offense, but I’ll take any offense that doesn’t shoot itself in the foot with penalties each series as a starting point.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Is it officially confirmed? Rejoice!!
We better pounce on Petersen or Taggart or Wilcox before Lane Kiffin gets fired and Chip Kelly goes pro.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:35 am
XMAS came early! I will drink to this. I’m off and celebrating
November 20th, 2012 at 10:40 am
Cal could do a lot worse than SJSU head man Mike MacIntyre. Give the man a couple fo interviews. His work at SJSU has been remarkable. I’d still rather have Petrino or Petersen but neither may want to come to Cal. Absolutely pick up the phone and talk to Mr. Gruden as well. Fiery, passionate, knows Xs and Os liek the back of his hand, charismatic = College Chucky!
November 20th, 2012 at 10:41 am
1. Jon Gruden
2. Chris Peterson
3. Bobby Petrino
4. Wilcox / Tosh
5. Mike MacIntyre or Willie “Beaman” Taggart
6. Hue Jackson
Ron Rivera doesn’t make my list. I don’t think he’ll do a good job.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:41 am
I can now hang my Cal flag outside my house again.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:42 am
Add the guy from Kent State.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:43 am
1. Jon Gruden
2. Chris Peterson
3. Bobby Petrino
4. Wilcox / Tosh
5. Mike MacIntyre or Willie “Beaman” Taggart
6. Hue Jackson
7. “Ernie” Kent State’s coach
November 20th, 2012 at 10:45 am
Juancho, Hue Jackson is ridiclous…..Love the rest of your list though. Why do you like Hue? Dude is a moron. I know he coached at USC, but he is a snake.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Juancho: sad part of our history?
November 20th, 2012 at 10:49 am
Ray Finkle – he is a moron but I don’t care. Petrino is a moron too. Because I think he would win and focus on that.
I’m a Raiders fan. If he could make our offense good…
Covina – the past 5 years of high paid futility, that’s the sad part of the past few years. Not being ranked since 2009. The Tosh debacle. The WSJ article. The terrible graduation rate.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:51 am
whoever they choose it’s got to happen fast to get out in front of all the other schools, especially Pac-12 schools, that will be looking for new HCs.
What about Mariucci?
November 20th, 2012 at 10:51 am
Anybody have an idea what Gruden gets paid as an announcer?
November 20th, 2012 at 10:52 am
I’d send Gruden a all the tape of Kline I can dig up, plus the great job done by the freshman WRs this year. Add info on the DL and LB youngsters and he’d probably consider the idea for a moment, maybe two. Then, drop a “Jim Mora has done great things at UCLA” to make him scoff and start thinking about how he’d make Mora look like an amateur, and reel him in.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:54 am
I’m skeptical that we can justify paying the kind of money we’d have to give to a Gruden-type when we still owe Tedford a lot of money.
I would guess that an up-and-comer or a coordinator is far more likely (like MacIntyre or Wilcox)
November 20th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Scotty – he gets paid about a million billion.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Will, the key to a Gruden-type would be how much money Nike would pitch in. Uncle Phil wants his Ducks playing in the best conference possible.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Juancho, I;m a Raider fan as well. You are correct, both are morons, but Hue has shown nothing as a leader at any level. I’m not trying to argue with you, I am very happy right now, and I think your insight is spot on. GO BEARS
November 20th, 2012 at 10:58 am
I am a Niner fan, so Juancho, I’m going to battle Covina for the title of being your arch nemesis.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Wisdom, Gruden still has a home in the East Bay from what I understand.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Why would Gruden ever come to CAL??? He is my favorite coach of all time, but I just don’t see it. I hope I’m wrong.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Will & Covina, you are co-arch nemeses.
November 20th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Of all the openings in college football, Cal’s has to be at or near the top…..there is definitely talent there….the new facilities….a chance to resurrect a proud program…..it’s got to be someone who can step right in and take the reigns…..get the kids to believe in him and themselves and play freely.
This situation kids of reminds me of the Lakers this year…Brown was trying to coach the players too much instead of maximizing their talents and keeping them from getting in their own way…..something Phil Jackson and D’Antoni do well….let their players play free…..Tedford’s teams seemed to play in slow motion…thinking too much instead of using their natural talents to play free and aggressive…..leads to predictable and undisciplined play…..already excited for next year…..hope they find the right guy!
November 20th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Dear Donors and Season Ticket Holders:
This morning I met with Coach Jeff Tedford as we continued conversations about the state of Cal football and how we can, collectively, as a football program, an athletics administration and a campus community, redirect both our competitive and academic performance. Throughout the course of the conversation, it became evident that there was not a clear, direct or expeditious path to reversing worrisome trends. Therefore, I informed Coach Tedford that I have decided the time has come to seek new leadership for the Cal football program. This decision was not made lightly, or easily, and comes only after careful consideration and complex evaluation of our football program. After weighing all of the variables and extensive consultation with Chancellor Birgeneau and Vice Chancellor Wilton it is evident that this level of change is what is needed and is in the best interest of Cal.
This should not be seen as a refutation of Coach Tedford’s passion, commitment and skills. I believe he still has the same set of extraordinary personal and professional tools that allowed him to compile an unbelievable record of accomplishment during his 11 seasons at Cal – his near miraculous resurrection of a program in a state of collapse; two-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year; Pac-10 conference championship; eight bowl-game appearances; and more wins than any coach in Cal history. Additionally, I can’t even begin to quantify what his patience and perseverance meant to our campus community as we endured repeated delays on the way to a new Memorial Stadium and modern training facilities. Jeff has earned a permanent place in the legacy of Cal football. However, as we have all seen sports, there comes a time when the needs of a team or a program no longer align with the tangible and intangible attributes of a particular head coach, no matter how talented and committed he may be.
Throughout this evaluation process, our focus has been on our student-athletes. We are all here to provide young people with what they need to fully realize their potential. Every professor, coach and staff member on this campus has a responsibility to provide them with what they require to excel, to learn and to grow. When Chancellor Birgeneau talks about comprehensive excellence as one of Berkeley’s defining attributes, he means it….and we live by it. It is imperative that Cal football be recognized as a leader in academic accomplishment, competitive success and community engagement.
As hard as it has been to watch our student-athletes struggle on the field, the team’s continuing decline in academic performance is of great concern. As recent NCAA data show, Cal football is now last in the Pac-12 in terms of the team’s graduation rate: 48% compared to Stanford’s conference-leading 90%. In fact, the other metric used by the NCAA to measure academic performance, the Academic Progress Rate (APR), is, in some ways even more sobering. The football team’s APR performance has now declined to the point where we are dangerously close to being disqualified from postseason play in the future.
I understand that cynics may conclude that this decision was driven solely by financial issues, and while revenue implications are one consideration, I’m here to say nothing can be further from the truth. I take very seriously the responsibility of providing our student-athletes with nothing but the finest of resources, and my experience as a coach and leader in intercollegiate athletics teaches me that if you establish and sustain the conditions student-athletes need to succeed, it creates a foundation from which all success can follow….academic success, wins, postseason play and ticket sales.
I realize that this decision will be met with varying levels of support, but I know we can all agree that Cal is parting ways with a very good man who has done remarkable things for our campus, our intercollegiate program and our team. However, my responsibilities to our students and the university as a whole has forced me to evaluate whether or not the team’s current leadership is in a position to make the changes necessary to turn things around. At the end of the day, I’m confident that this is the best decision for Cal and our student-athletes.
Jeff Tedford has served this university admirably and I will forever be indebted for his commitment, expertise and unflagging effort. I know the entire Cal community will join me in thanking Jeff for changing the face of Cal football.
My staff and I are now turning our attention to the future as we begin to explore and assess possible candidates for the position of head football coach. As that effort begins, we will seek ideas and input from many areas. As a first step, we are convening an advisory group of key stakeholders who we will turn to for guidance in terms of the professional profile, experience and personal attributes we should be looking for in potential candidates.
I know we are all proud of Cal’s intercollegiate athletics program that together we have built and sustained. I will continue to honor that support with an undiminished commitment to, and passion for, the pursuit of even greater achievements in the future.
Go Bears!
Sandy Barbour
Director of Athletics
November 20th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Juancho, I believe he does, too. It’s the only reason I think it is possible. He likes the Bay Area. I think the selling points and the location are exactly why it could be a fit. If he has any interest in coaching college ball, I think he’d be into it.
This is not the Cal that was lucky to hire Tedford. This program has top facilities and a good group of young players already here. There is a legitimate chance to get Gruden. I even think there is a small chance Peterson would make the move (he is about more than program prestige).
It also doesn’t hurt that Monty coaches hoops, and re-upped top remain. He may prove a good coach recruiter with a phone call or two as well.
November 20th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Juancho: your most intelligent and well written post.
November 20th, 2012 at 11:10 am
“key stakeholders” = Nike
November 20th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Isn’t it awesome to have a sudden infusion of optimism!
I was reluctantly convinced Tedford would return for yet another year of wasted possibilities. Now, the possibilities are limitless.
November 20th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Thank god it is finally over. I hope we can all get back to talking about how to fix the mess that Cal football has become. Rampant speculation about who will be the new coach seems like a great waste of time to me. Let the AD do her job and hope that whoever it is provides at least a bump for the recruitment process.
November 20th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
WooHOO!! Best of luck Jeff Tedford. We know you are a “good” guy, just not a very good head coach, anymore.
Willie Taggart!!!! Mike Macintyre!!! please!
November 20th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
How has this site not been updated?
November 20th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
BearClaw – Jeff Faraudo is on vacation. He’s with family as his son graduated from Marine Corps boot camp.
November 20th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
” I believe he still has the same set of extraordinary personal and professional tools that allowed him to compile an unbelievable record of accomplishment during his 11 seasons at Cal – … Pac-10 conference championship”
When was that?
November 20th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Here is a name that should be thrown in the mix. Gary Andersen at Utah State. He’s built a solid program in Logan, UT. Imagine what he could do at Cal. He would not be using Cal as a stepping stone like some of the other names thrown around would. I know I threw Petrino’s name out a while back but guys like him, Gruden, Hue, would use this as a 2-3 year and then move on type of job. I would rather have a Mcintyre, Peterson, Andersen type that would stick around 5-7 years.
November 20th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
I hear you Juancho but I thought Wilner or someone would be updating here. No big deal. Meanwhile, you should read Ted Lee’s New Yorker length article on the Tedford era on bear insider. Really good read.
November 21st, 2012 at 7:46 am
You know over at BI there are a lot of good threads about the deplorable academic performance by the football program. Some are even claiming that was what got Tedford canned.
Where is the esteemed advisor who has gone strangely missing since those deplorable reports were released by the NCAA?
As Rome burns, he sits in his office hoping for this to soon pass.
Unfortunately for him, the anger and disappointment continues to mount as the Social Welfare, Sociology, Food Appreciation mercenaries (aka football players) fail at an epic rate.
November 21st, 2012 at 9:05 am
Moren: Weren’t you going to drop out of sight, just like the Trojans from the Top 25 rankings? Your drivel isn’t interesting or worth reading. Predictale and flat out boring.
November 21st, 2012 at 10:35 am
No one cares except you, moron. The rest of us are here to talk about Cal football and basketball. You are only here to talk trash and make snarky comments. Take a hike and spout your psychotic obsessions elsewhere.
November 21st, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Why did Gruden leave Tampa Bay??