Jeff Tedford Would Be a Home Run Hire

[Knight Shift]

Cal's winningest coach.
2002-2012: 82-57//50-45
2004: 10-2
2006: 10-3
2008: 9-4
He slid his last 3 years, 5-7, 7-6, and 3-9.

In the 3 years prior to taking over at Cal, they were 0-7, 3-8 and 1-10. A dumpster fire. Their sole victory in 2001 was their final game of the season against Schiano's Scarlet Knights in front of 18,111 fans. Tedford's 2002 season was 7-5, then 8-6 in 2003.
Only 6 blowouts of 30 points or more while Head Coach of Cal.
Recruiting class rankings 63, 14, 23, 9, 19, 22, 34, 42, 11, 17, 23

Fresno State:
2017: 10-4/7-1
2018: 5-1/2-0

In 2016, Fresno was 1-11, and the year before that, they were 3-9.
Recruiting rankings: 2017 (82); 2018 (not ranked);
He's making $1.5 million per year.

He is a QB whisperer (we don't want one of them). Coached Trent Dilfer, and Aaron Rodgers. Also David Carr and Kyle Boller. Coached Marshawn Lynch and a host of other 1,000 plus yard Running Backs.

Only hangup is he's a California guy. He spent one year at Tampa Bay as OC for Lovie in 2014.

He runs a pro-style offense mixed with spread concepts.

https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/...-the-bulldogs-improve-by-9-wins-in-one-season

 

[Section124]

Does he have east coast and Florida recruiting ties? He needs more than 1 year in Flordia. If not, non starter for this board. And his name is not Schiano.

I do want an offensive coach next year. The current one is “offensive”.

 

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Pass

 

[rutgersguy1]

Cal's winningest coach.
2002-2012: 82-57//50-45
2004: 10-2
2006: 10-3
2008: 9-4
He slid his last 3 years, 5-7, 7-6, and 3-9.

In the 3 years prior to taking over at Cal, they were 0-7, 3-8 and 1-10. A dumpster fire. Their sole victory in 2001 was their final game of the season against Schiano's Scarlet Knights in front of 18,111 fans. Tedford's 2002 season was 7-5, then 8-6 in 2003.
Only 6 blowouts of 30 points or more while Head Coach of Cal.
Recruiting class rankings 63, 14, 23, 9, 19, 22, 34, 42, 11, 17, 23

Fresno State:
2017: 10-4/7-1
2018: 5-1/2-0

In 2016, Fresno was 1-11, and the year before that, they were 3-9.
Recruiting rankings: 2017 (82); 2018 (not ranked);
He's making $1.5 million per year.

He is a QB whisperer (we don't want one of them). Coached Trent Dilfer, and Aaron Rodgers. Also David Carr and Kyle Boller. Coached Marshawn Lynch and a host of other 1,000 plus yard Running Backs.

Only hangup is he's a California guy. He spent one year at Tampa Bay as OC for Lovie in 2014.

He runs a pro-style offense mixed with spread concepts.

https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/...-the-bulldogs-improve-by-9-wins-in-one-season

Pro style with spread concepts sounds nice in theory but I don't like it myself and his offense has been known to be complex....I've looked him up in the past and while I want offense he doesn't stick with my theme of KISS.

It's like when I've mentioned Jedd Fisch/Josh Rosen here before. Can work well when you got a guy with aptitude/ability/desire to learn everything but if you don't then it doesn't and how often do you come across that kind of player as well? Doesn't lend it self to feasibility of plug and play.

Recently I've looked at their DC Bert Watts though. Their defensive rankings have looked good the last 2 years but Watts has only been the DC this year. Their last DC went back to the CFL. Watts has worked mostly in the west but he is from Basking Ridge, NJ. Probably would be helpful to do it for couple years.

 

[Plum Street]

Not a good fit

 

[retired711]

I am very familiar with Jeff Tedford because I followed the California Golden Bears very closely during his years at Cal. He was a tremendous addition, and almost took Cal to the playoffs one year. He was very good in building support for the program, and inspired a massive program of improvement/renovation of facilities. (That project eventually blew up financially, but not on his watch.) But he hung on long after he should have gone. He is pass-happy, even when he has fine running backs (e.g. Mashawn Lynch). He was terrific coaching Kyle Boller in Boller's senior year at Cal. (Rutgers saw him as a junior in 2001, when Cal and Rutgers played here.) He used a "checkers" approach to teach Boller which receiver to throw to. (Heavens, we need AS to figure that out!). But he also has his own approach to teaching QB mechanics, and both Boller and Aaron Rodgers had to unlearn his mechanics when they became pros.

He is definitely a West Coast guy. He is, though, a very good recruiter, and usually understands that his recruits need to meet academic standards. I think he would be far superior to Ash. But I just don't know if he's ready for another high-pressure head coaching gig.

 

[RUnTeX]

(Rutgers saw him as a junior in 2001, when Cal and Rutgers played here.)

Rutgers also saw Boller as a true frosh in the game out in Berkeley in 1999. Was at that game. Of course, that was under the prior coach, Tom Holmoe, and Rutgers was under Terry Shea. I think Deltha O'Neal had a pick 6 in that game.

IIRC, the 2001 game in Piscataway was a reschedule to later in the season due to postponement from the original schedule of the weekend following 9-11.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I am very familiar with Jeff Tedford because I followed the California Golden Bears very closely during his years at Cal. He was a tremendous addition, and almost took Cal to the playoffs one year. He was very good in building support for the program, and inspired a massive program of improvement/renovation of facilities. (That project eventually blew up financially, but not on his watch.) But he hung on long after he should have gone. He is pass-happy, even when he has fine running backs (e.g. Mashawn Lynch). He was terrific coaching Kyle Boller in Boller's senior year at Cal. (Rutgers saw him as a junior in 2001, when Cal and Rutgers played here.) He used a "checkers" approach to teach Boller which receiver to throw to. (Heavens, we need AS to figure that out!). But he also has his own approach to teaching QB mechanics, and both Boller and Aaron Rodgers had to unlearn his mechanics when they became pros.

He is definitely a West Coast guy. He is, though, a very good recruiter, and usually understands that his recruits need to meet academic standards. I think he would be far superior to Ash. But I just don't know if he's ready for another high-pressure head coaching gig.

We’ve done “west coast guy” before with disastrous results. Pass.

 

[Knight Shift]

We’ve done “west coast guy” before with disastrous results. Pass.

Apples and Oranges. Shea had a light resume, having only coached San Jose State for a couple of years. Tedford has a much deeper resume. Impressive how he quickly turned Cal and Fresno State around. But some of you guys have your jaws locked on Greg.

 

[retired711]

Rutgers also saw Boller as a true frosh in the game out in Berkeley in 1999. Was at that game. Of course, that was under the prior coach, Tom Holmoe, and Rutgers was under Terry Shea. I think Deltha O'Neal had a pick 6 in that game.

IIRC, the 2001 game in Piscataway was a reschedule to later in the season due to postponement from the original schedule of the weekend following 9-11.

Your recollection is correct. Cal was going to put on an alumni event for the game, but did nothing at the re-scheduled game, which was annoying. Holmoe was the coach at the Piscataway game, and Cal's win over Rutgers was its only win of the season. Holmoe got fired and Tedford was hired. He made an instant difference in the program and challenged his players to take their share of responsibility for improving the team and for becoming better leaders.

Holmoe was very much disliked on the Calbears board. There was a poster who called himself "Holmoephobia."

 

[BlockR]

Cal's winningest coach.
2002-2012: 82-57//50-45
2004: 10-2
2006: 10-3
2008: 9-4
He slid his last 3 years, 5-7, 7-6, and 3-9.

In the 3 years prior to taking over at Cal, they were 0-7, 3-8 and 1-10. A dumpster fire. Their sole victory in 2001 was their final game of the season against Schiano's Scarlet Knights in front of 18,111 fans. Tedford's 2002 season was 7-5, then 8-6 in 2003.
Only 6 blowouts of 30 points or more while Head Coach of Cal.
Recruiting class rankings 63, 14, 23, 9, 19, 22, 34, 42, 11, 17, 23

Fresno State:
2017: 10-4/7-1
2018: 5-1/2-0

In 2016, Fresno was 1-11, and the year before that, they were 3-9.
Recruiting rankings: 2017 (82); 2018 (not ranked);
He's making $1.5 million per year.

He is a QB whisperer (we don't want one of them). Coached Trent Dilfer, and Aaron Rodgers. Also David Carr and Kyle Boller. Coached Marshawn Lynch and a host of other 1,000 plus yard Running Backs.

Only hangup is he's a California guy. He spent one year at Tampa Bay as OC for Lovie in 2014.

He runs a pro-style offense mixed with spread concepts.

https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/...-the-bulldogs-improve-by-9-wins-in-one-season

has experience but no east coast recruiting swag or connections.
Hard pass.

 

[MozRU]

Unless you have blood ties to the Tri State area, no need apply.

 

[Dpgru]

I was at that game. It was the last game of the season because it was originally in September but 9/11 occurred and it was moved to the end of the year. IIRC our only TD came in the 4th qtr on a pick six.

 

[retired711]

Beside the fact that Cal won, my chief memory is of Ted Trump coming in late in the game to try to bring Rutgers from behind. He struck me as having a very strong arm, but he didn't seem good at actually completing passes.

 

[MozRU]

Their sole victory in 2001 was their final game of the season against Schiano's Scarlet Knights in front of 18,111

I was 23. 2nd year out of school trading for Speer Leeds and Kellogg at Exchange Place in JC. 1st year as a season ticket holder

If was a Friday after TGiving. The Stock Mkt closed at 1pm that day. I went by myself. Cold, dry cloudy day.

I smoked a cigar and drank a few beers by myself in purple prior. A quiet quality day.

Truly miss those days.


***I have the tickets from that year. Or was it 2002? Its a picture of the stadium when put together.

 

[Big East Beast]

Rutgers also saw Boller as a true frosh in the game out in Berkeley in 1999. Was at that game. Of course, that was under the prior coach, Tom Holmoe, and Rutgers was under Terry Shea. I think Deltha O'Neal had a pick 6 in that game.

IIRC, the 2001 game in Piscataway was a reschedule to later in the season due to postponement from the original schedule of the weekend following 9-11.

I was at that game as well. I still remember the Cal fans chanting “take off that red shirt” at us - all good natured and very mellow vibe. Fun road trip overall.

Going to other away games on the east coast I’ve at times felt (and been) physically threatened — ahem, UConn, ahem.

That said, Tedford isn’t a good fit for RU. He’s well known in college football circles but hardly a big enough name to overcome the egos that plague the RU fan base, h.s. coaches and media where everyone knows what’s best. The first two years for non-NJ people I think are culture shock.

 

[Jimpeg]

he did a good job a Cal..

However according to most folks if he doesn't have NJ on birth certificate, understand the differences between the turnpike and parkway and who is buried under the meadowlands he need not apply...

 

[bethlehemfan]

It was 23. 2nd year out of school trading for Speer Leeds and Kellogg at Exchange Place in JC. 1st year as a season ticket holder

If was a Friday after TGiving. The Stock Mkt closed at 1pm that day. I went by myself. Cold, dry cloudy day.

I smoked a cigar and drank a few beers by myself in purple prior. A quiet quality day.

Truly miss those days.


***I have the tickets from that year. Or was it 2002? Its a picture of the stadium when put together.

Although cal didn’t win any other games that year they played a very tough schedule and gave a couple of ranked teams all they could hsndle. Of course many of the same people currently pining for schiano are probably The same people that ripped him for another horrible loss. You know who you are.

 

[retired711]

I went to the main board for Cal, and asked what they thought. They reminded me that Tedford is now the coach at Fresno State. He is a hero there from having been their quarterback. He only needs to recruit the Central Valley area (the area around Fresno). He is also probably still burnt out from being coach at a P5 program. In other words, no dice, in their opinion.

 

[Knight Shift]

I went to the main board for Cal, and asked what they thought. They reminded me that Tedford is now the coach at Fresno State. He is a hero there from having been their quarterback. He only needs to recruit the Central Valley area (the area around Fresno). He is also probably still burnt out from being coach at a P5 program. In other words, no dice, in their opinion.

And one of my partners is a Cal alum and fan. He agreed that perhaps Cal made a mistake in letting him go. He had a 3-9 season ending with a couple of blowouts in 2012, and Cal canned him.
What did they get?
Sonny Dykes: 19-30/10-26 over 4 seasons.
Justin Wilcox: 8-10/2-10 over 1.5 seasons. (they are probably on their way to 4-8//1-8 this season too.

 

[RUforJERSEY]

Beside the fact that Cal won, my chief memory is of Ted Trump coming in late in the game to try to bring Rutgers from behind. He struck me as having a very strong arm, but he didn't seem good at actually completing passes.

Sounds familiar.

 

[rutgersguy1]

he did a good job a Cal..

However according to most folks if he doesn't have NJ on birth certificate, understand the differences between the turnpike and parkway and who is buried under the meadowlands he need not apply...

I'm not big on that...I mean it's nice and a bonus but I don't think it's necessary. If you can do it you can do it and if you can't you can't...

How many coaches are all over the country coaching in places they're not from.....I didn't see anyone say Chip Kelly isn't from the West so he couldn't coach Oregon or now UCLA...how about Rhule to Baylor (I didn't care for that hire myself but I don't remember any comments about it here)...Bronco Mendenhall to UVA.....and he brought 6 assistants with him from BYU no less...got them bowling in his 2nd year and looks on track to get them bowling again as of now...Joe Moorhead is down in Miss. State .....I didn't notice anyone say he shouldn't go there....and there are others.

To me if you got it you got it and if you don't you don't.....geography is helpful but not mandatory IMO.

 

[APKnight]

I don’t think his heart is healthy enough to deal with this pressure cooker. It would be culture shock for him. No east coast ties. Pass.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

imo does not have a big enough name to recruit here as a west coaster. would take many years and a lot of hard work just to build relationships.. nor do I think he has the name to bring California kids here.. good ones that is. I'd hate to see a Shea-like effort to do that.

 

[SHUSource]

Tedford is a good coach, there's little doubt about that. But I would be verrrry hesitant to to be sure of his ability to succeed at Rutgers, mainly for geographic/cultural reasons. He might work just fine, but there are too many red flags. If Rutgers is going to make a change, they really have to get this one right. I mean, you always want to get it right - of course - but this one is absolutely vital for your program.

 

[retired711]

And one of my partners is a Cal alum and fan. He agreed that perhaps Cal made a mistake in letting him go. He had a 3-9 season ending with a couple of blowouts in 2012, and Cal canned him.
What did they get?
Sonny Dykes: 19-30/10-26 over 4 seasons.
Justin Wilcox: 8-10/2-10 over 1.5 seasons. (they are probably on their way to 4-8//1-8 this season too.

Respectfully disagree. It is true that Tedford's successors have done poorly. Dykes was a terrible hire; try fitting a Texan into the culture of the Bay Area!! But Tedford's teams had been steadily sinking for the previous two years as well, and he had lost the enthusiasm he had initially brought to the job. Cal fans wonder, though, whether the team will ever have the same success it had under Tedford, so I'm not surprised your partner feels as he does.

 

[mdk01]

Respectfully disagree. It is true that Tedford's successors have done poorly. Dykes was a terrible hire; try fitting a Texan into the culture of the Bay Area!! But Tedford's teams had been steadily sinking for the previous two years as well, and he had lost the enthusiasm he had initially brought to the job. Cal fans wonder, though, whether the team will ever have the same success it had under Tedford, so I'm not surprised your partner feels as he does.

Here's the key question in my mind. Could he recruit on the East Coast? Thoughts?

 

[beaced]

If ever the money becomes available.it must be spent on an HC whose very name draws recruit as a flame draws moths.

 

[Sec127]

It was fun being a fan while Schiano was coaching here. Frustrating at times but mostly fun. If not Schiano then maybe
Telford . Telford is a winner. Winning is overrated. At least that is what I am currently telling myself, so maybe pass.
Give me a coordinator riding someone's coattails. Oops, been there done that.
All I know is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result is insanity. A change needs to be made and it needs to be successful. That's why Hobbs is being paid the big bucks. It's not supposed to be easy.

 

[retired711]

Here's the key question in my mind. Could he recruit on the East Coast? Thoughts?

I think we tend to overstate the importance of Schiano's background to his recruiting ability. While he was born and raised in N.J., he went to Bucknell for college and left the area not long after that. I tend to think that ability to recruit translates well from one area to another, and maybe Tedford could get us some California recruits just as Schiano's Miami connections got us Florida recruits. I should note that the insistence on NJ recruiting experience is in tension with many posters' desire to get a big name; big names who have recruited New Jersey are few and far between.

In any case, the question is academic; I can't see why Tedford would want to come. For that matter, I don't see why Schiano would want to come back; he already built the program from nothing.

 

[rucoe89]

Cal's winningest coach.
2002-2012: 82-57//50-45
2004: 10-2
2006: 10-3
2008: 9-4
He slid his last 3 years, 5-7, 7-6, and 3-9.

In the 3 years prior to taking over at Cal, they were 0-7, 3-8 and 1-10. A dumpster fire. Their sole victory in 2001 was their final game of the season against Schiano's Scarlet Knights in front of 18,111 fans. Tedford's 2002 season was 7-5, then 8-6 in 2003.
Only 6 blowouts of 30 points or more while Head Coach of Cal.
Recruiting class rankings 63, 14, 23, 9, 19, 22, 34, 42, 11, 17, 23

Fresno State:
2017: 10-4/7-1
2018: 5-1/2-0

In 2016, Fresno was 1-11, and the year before that, they were 3-9.
Recruiting rankings: 2017 (82); 2018 (not ranked);
He's making $1.5 million per year.

He is a QB whisperer (we don't want one of them). Coached Trent Dilfer, and Aaron Rodgers. Also David Carr and Kyle Boller. Coached Marshawn Lynch and a host of other 1,000 plus yard Running Backs.

Only hangup is he's a California guy. He spent one year at Tampa Bay as OC for Lovie in 2014.

He runs a pro-style offense mixed with spread concepts.

https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/...-the-bulldogs-improve-by-9-wins-in-one-season

More than a few Cal folks would disagree.

 

[rucoe89]

Here's the key question in my mind. Could he recruit on the East Coast? Thoughts?

I think we tend to overstate the importance of Schiano's background to his recruiting ability. While he was born and raised in N.J., he went to Bucknell for college and left the area not long after that. I tend to think that ability to recruit translates well from one area to another, and maybe Tedford could get us some California recruits just as Schiano's Miami connections got us Florida recruits. I should note that the insistence on NJ recruiting experience is in tension with many posters' desire to get a big name; big names who have recruited New Jersey are few and far between.

In any case, the question is academic; I can't see why Tedford would want to come. For that matter, I don't see why Schiano would want to come back; he already built the program from nothing.

The last guy from California worked out well for us.

 

[retired711]

The last guy from California worked out well for us.

Yes, but if I recall correctly, his background was coaching San Jose State, which is nowhere on the level of Cal.

 

[ru-baby]

This is better than the Locksey proposal, but Cal fans chuckle at this. Only place for Tedford is Oregon and they passed.

 

[Knight Shift]

More than a few Cal folks would disagree.

Absolutely. Maybe he was past his prime for P5 coaching. He had a heart issue when he went to work for Lovie at Tampa Bay. He is "home" now in Fresno, so it is doubtful he would come out East. But, his turnarounds of both Cal and Fresno State are impressive.

 

[mdk01]

I think we tend to overstate the importance of Schiano's background to his recruiting ability. While he was born and raised in N.J., he went to Bucknell for college and left the area not long after that. I tend to think that ability to recruit translates well from one area to another, and maybe Tedford could get us some California recruits just as Schiano's Miami connections got us Florida recruits. I should note that the insistence on NJ recruiting experience is in tension with many posters' desire to get a big name; big names who have recruited New Jersey are few and far between.

In any case, the question is academic; I can't see why Tedford would want to come. For that matter, I don't see why Schiano would want to come back; he already built the program from nothing.

With Schiano, in addition to his roots, when he arrived he also hired a DC who grew up in Ridgewood and got a well respected HS coach nearing retirement to come in and help establish communications with the HS coaches in the state. It may all be moot as you say, but there was the beginnings of a network when he took charge.

 

[AntiG]

But he also has his own approach to teaching QB mechanics, and both Boller and Aaron Rodgers had to unlearn his mechanics when they became pros.

The mechanics were fine. The only thing they did when they got to the pros was to take the ball off "the shelf" aka lower where they held the ball. Tedford purposely had them hold it "on the shelf" aka chin level in order for them to reduce the amount of swipe fumbles and increase the speed of release since it cuts the throwing motion down a bit. All the QBs did when they got to the pros was just revert to holding the ball at chest level, and especially Rodgers who had insanely good throwing mechanics, adapted quickly. Tedford also had the QBs learn Bill Walsh's footwork mechanics as well, and of course Aaron was the culmination of the wisdom. Despite them not being star QBs, Dilfer, Boller and Carr were at least solid enough to start several seasons and their issues were never mechanical, and Akili Smith and Joey Harrington weren't mechanical either, but inability to handle the pro level reads.

If you want QBs with f'd up mechanics and footwork, just look at Urban Meyer QBs - Alex Smith had pretty the worst QB mechanics of all time coming out to the pros, and it took nearly a decade for him to somewhat fix it once Jim Harbaugh got his hands on him (his throwing motion is still terrible), Tebow wasn't much better too but at least he had a quick release. Pryor, Jones and Barrett have been improvements over them but like Tebow they didn't get anywhere in the pros as QBs.

 

[dicemen99]

I'll give you an A+ for effort. Not a bad idea, but agree with camdenlaw on both that recruiting ability transcends geography and that I can't see him wanting to come here.

 

[retired711]

With Schiano, in addition to his roots, when he arrived he also hired a DC who grew up in Ridgewood and got a well respected HS coach nearing retirement to come in and help establish communications with the HS coaches in the state. It may all be moot as you say, but there was the beginnings of a network when he took charge.

But another coach could do that too; the coach himself would not have to come from the immediate area.

 

[MGSA99]

You know who else came from California? Terry Shea.