Team preview: CaliforniaBlue Ribbon Yearbook
California Golden Bears
LOCATION Berkeley, Calif.
CONFERENCE Pacific-10
LAST SEASON 10-2 (.833)
CONFERENCE RECORD 7-1 (2nd)
OFF. STARTERS RETURNING 6
DEF. STARTERS RETURNING 3
NICKNAME Golden Bears
COLORS Blue & Gold
HOME FIELD Memorial Stadium (73,347)
COACH Jeff Tedford (Fresno State '83)
RECORD AT SCHOOL 25-13 (3 years)
CAREER RECORD 25-13 (3 years)
ASSISTANTS • George Cortez (Texas A&M '73),
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Bob Gregory (Washington State '86),
Defensive Coordinator
• Pete Alamar (Cal Lutheran '83),
Special Teams/Tight Ends
• Ken Delgado (San Jose State '84),
Defensive Line
• Ron Gould (Oregon '88),
Running Backs
• Eric Kiesau (Portland State '96),
Receivers
• Jim Michalczik (Washington State '88),
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line
• Justin Wilcox (Oregon '99),
Linebackers
• J.D. Williams (Fresno State '90),
Defensive Backs
TEAM WINS (last five yrs.) 3-1-7-8-10
FINAL RANK (last five yrs.) 68-96-42-37-15
2004 FINISH Lost to Texas Tech in Holiday Bowl.
2005 Schedule | 2004 Results | 2004 Statistics
COACH AND PROGRAM
The question was asked innocently enough. The reporter mentioned that many pundits were picking Cal out of the top three in the Pac-10 this season. Fourth-year coach Jeff Tedford paused for a second before answering.
"I really don't care about that," Tedford said. "I mean, why would I? I don't read any of that stuff. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks anyway.
"I mean, is the question whether we'll be competitive?"
After talking in a monotone, relaxed voice for nearly 15 minutes, Tedford's voice rose as he repeated the question before the reporter could answer.
"Will we compete? There is no doubt that we'll be a competitive football team this fall," Tedford said. "It doesn't matter where we were as a team this spring or even going into August. We might not have the experience we did last year, but I assure you, this team will compete."
There it is. In barely 150 words, that's why Tedford has enjoyed unequaled success over his first three seasons at Cal. From the day he was hired and inherited a 1-10 football team to coming within a touchdown of possibly playing for the national championship in 2004, Tedford honestly doesn't care about how his team is supposed to perform.
He only cares about how his Bears will perform.
And if that sounds simplistic, such is life.
Deemed "The Mad Scientist," Tedford has established himself among the nation's elite in record time. Pretty amazing considering he had never been a head coach at any level before becoming the 32nd head man in Cal history on Dec. 12, 2001.
He did have some Pac-10 experience, though, having been Oregon's offensive coordinator for four seasons (1998-2001). Before that, he held the same position at his alma matter, Fresno State, for five years. Tedford began coaching in the Canadian Football League after a six-year playing career there with Hamilton, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
Under his watch, quarterbacks Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, David Carr, Kyle Boller and Aaron Rogers have developed into first-round NFL picks. Rogers, of course, was his signal caller the last two seasons and for a time was considered the possible No. 1 pick in the draft. He ended up with Green Bay.
After seven- and eight-win seasons and a pair of bowl appearances, in 2002-03, the program went to another level in 2004. No, it didn't defeat USC, losing 23-17, on the road early in the season, but Cal beat everyone else during the regular season and if not for some interesting late-season poll balloting, would've/could've/should've gone to a Bowl Championship Series game. Instead, the Bears went to the always-lucrative Holiday Bowl, where they were two-touchdown favorites over Texas Tech. However, for whatever reasons, Cal appeared listless in a convincing 45-31 loss.
And while the defeat was disappointing at the time, it did little to diminish Cal's incredible season. At one point, Cal earned its highest poll ranking (No. 4) since 1952. And its 10 regular-season wins were its most since 1950. Tedford has also earned Pac-10 Coach-of-the-Year honors in two of his three seasons at Cal.
Tedford was rewarded on Dec. 6, 2004 with a new five-year contract and while the NFL could come calling before that deal runs out, for the time being he plans on turning Cal into a year-in, year-out force in not only the Pac-10 but the nation.
It seems like people have already forgotten that when Tedford arrived, Cal was not only coming off a dreadful 1-10 season, it hadn't even produced a winning record in nine years. The following campaign, the Bears returned the fewest starters among Division I-A teams and were picked by the media to finish eighth in the Pac-10. Cal won eight games, including the last defeat of two-time defending national champions USC, and finished third in the Pac-10 at 5-3. It also defeated Virginia Tech, 52-49, in a thrilling Insight Bowl.
And Tedford is by no means a one-trick coach. An offensive mastermind, Cal has also enjoyed the fruits of three straight top-20 recruiting classes, including the No. 8 class this year according to Rivals.com.
As for this season, don't be fooled by any disparaging predictions. This program has taken its place among to the Pac-10 -- and the nation's -- elite.
QUARTERBACKS
This has been portrayed as a quarterback controversy entering fall practice. But it's really not. And while Cal is going to miss Rogers, who left with a year of eligibility remaining, it might be more mentally than physically.
For that's the only obstacle standing between junior Joseph Ayoob (6-3, 215) and the starting position. He has the attributes, having earned junior college All-America honors at City College of San Francisco last season. While Rogers spent just a year at the JUCO, many believe Ayoob is further along as a quarterback than Rogers was when he arrived on the Berkeley campus.
He just is having trouble figuring out perhaps the most-complex offensive playbook in the country. But while Ayoob appeared confused at times during the spring, it's likely he'll conquer the offense over the summer and be anointed the No. 1 man before the first game.
"I not a fan of a platoon system, a quarterback and the offense need a rhythm and I don't want one of them looking over their shoulder waiting for the hook after a few bad passes," Tedford said. "I don't want any of that. But it'll be a competitive race until someone separates.
"The quarterback in our system has to do a lot of decision-making, We can't handcuff the rest of the team waiting for Joe to learn the offense. But if he's ready to go come August, I see him taking the job and running with it."
It's hard to imagine a quarterback Tedford recruited and signed with the intention of starting not being able to pick up the offense after more than six months on campus, 15 spring practices and three weeks of two-a-days. He does, however, admit that the offense Ayoob ran last year is of little use to him now.
"It's not even close, I mean, it can't even be compared," Tedford said. "Through the course of the spring though, Joe was getting better and better. He has the potential, there's no doubt, and the natural ability is there, too."
Last season, redshirt freshman Nathan Longshore (6-5, 230) relayed the plays into the game from the sideline and is more than familiar with the offense. However, despite some touting him as the favorite after an impressive spring, he appears destined to back up Ayoob for two years before likely having his chance.
"Nate had a good spring and he has a little advantage going into August," Tedford said. "He knows the system and that's what we need. In many ways, it's a total tossup."
More plausibly, though, Tedford is trying to motivate Ayoob into learning the playbook cold before early August. The third-stringer is red-shirt freshman Bryan Van Meter (6-2, 185).
RUNNING BACKS
Last year, J.J. Arrington led the nation with 2,018 rushing yards and in the process, became the third Pac-10 back to pass the 2000-yard barrier. Marcus Allen and Charles Rogers, both of USC, are the only others. And while Arrington has departed to play on Sundays, it's almost impossible to find anyone involved with the Cal program, players, coaches, fans or media, who is worried about losing Arrington.
That's because of sophomore Marshawn Lynch (5-11, 200). His numbers last year were unheard of, especially in a major conference like the Pac-10 and considering how much real estate Arrington ground up. Despite not starting a game, Lynch rushed for 628 yards and 10 touchdowns. Lynch averaged 8.8 yards per carry, which easily led the Pac-10, and had runs of 70, 55, 43 and 42 yards.
His best games came against Stanford (127 yards) and at Washington (121 yards) in consecutive weeks late in the season. In those two games, he averaged 13 yards per carry.
"Lynch is a special player and it's not often, if ever, that a 2,000-yard rusher leaves and people are excited," Tedford said. "We've just had a little taste of this kid. And no question, we're fine with him getting 20-25 carries a game."
While Lynch will move into Arrington's role, a trio of backs are looking to earn Lynch's roster spot from 2004.
California Golden Bears
LOCATION Berkeley, Calif.
CONFERENCE Pacific-10
LAST SEASON 10-2 (.833)
CONFERENCE RECORD 7-1 (2nd)
OFF. STARTERS RETURNING 6
DEF. STARTERS RETURNING 3
NICKNAME Golden Bears
COLORS Blue & Gold
HOME FIELD Memorial Stadium (73,347)
COACH Jeff Tedford (Fresno State '83)
RECORD AT SCHOOL 25-13 (3 years)
CAREER RECORD 25-13 (3 years)
ASSISTANTS • George Cortez (Texas A&M '73),
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Bob Gregory (Washington State '86),
Defensive Coordinator
• Pete Alamar (Cal Lutheran '83),
Special Teams/Tight Ends
• Ken Delgado (San Jose State '84),
Defensive Line
• Ron Gould (Oregon '88),
Running Backs
• Eric Kiesau (Portland State '96),
Receivers
• Jim Michalczik (Washington State '88),
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line
• Justin Wilcox (Oregon '99),
Linebackers
• J.D. Williams (Fresno State '90),
Defensive Backs
TEAM WINS (last five yrs.) 3-1-7-8-10
FINAL RANK (last five yrs.) 68-96-42-37-15
2004 FINISH Lost to Texas Tech in Holiday Bowl.
2005 Schedule | 2004 Results | 2004 Statistics
COACH AND PROGRAM
The question was asked innocently enough. The reporter mentioned that many pundits were picking Cal out of the top three in the Pac-10 this season. Fourth-year coach Jeff Tedford paused for a second before answering.
"I really don't care about that," Tedford said. "I mean, why would I? I don't read any of that stuff. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks anyway.
"I mean, is the question whether we'll be competitive?"
After talking in a monotone, relaxed voice for nearly 15 minutes, Tedford's voice rose as he repeated the question before the reporter could answer.
"Will we compete? There is no doubt that we'll be a competitive football team this fall," Tedford said. "It doesn't matter where we were as a team this spring or even going into August. We might not have the experience we did last year, but I assure you, this team will compete."
There it is. In barely 150 words, that's why Tedford has enjoyed unequaled success over his first three seasons at Cal. From the day he was hired and inherited a 1-10 football team to coming within a touchdown of possibly playing for the national championship in 2004, Tedford honestly doesn't care about how his team is supposed to perform.
He only cares about how his Bears will perform.
And if that sounds simplistic, such is life.
Deemed "The Mad Scientist," Tedford has established himself among the nation's elite in record time. Pretty amazing considering he had never been a head coach at any level before becoming the 32nd head man in Cal history on Dec. 12, 2001.
He did have some Pac-10 experience, though, having been Oregon's offensive coordinator for four seasons (1998-2001). Before that, he held the same position at his alma matter, Fresno State, for five years. Tedford began coaching in the Canadian Football League after a six-year playing career there with Hamilton, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
Under his watch, quarterbacks Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, David Carr, Kyle Boller and Aaron Rogers have developed into first-round NFL picks. Rogers, of course, was his signal caller the last two seasons and for a time was considered the possible No. 1 pick in the draft. He ended up with Green Bay.
After seven- and eight-win seasons and a pair of bowl appearances, in 2002-03, the program went to another level in 2004. No, it didn't defeat USC, losing 23-17, on the road early in the season, but Cal beat everyone else during the regular season and if not for some interesting late-season poll balloting, would've/could've/should've gone to a Bowl Championship Series game. Instead, the Bears went to the always-lucrative Holiday Bowl, where they were two-touchdown favorites over Texas Tech. However, for whatever reasons, Cal appeared listless in a convincing 45-31 loss.
And while the defeat was disappointing at the time, it did little to diminish Cal's incredible season. At one point, Cal earned its highest poll ranking (No. 4) since 1952. And its 10 regular-season wins were its most since 1950. Tedford has also earned Pac-10 Coach-of-the-Year honors in two of his three seasons at Cal.
Tedford was rewarded on Dec. 6, 2004 with a new five-year contract and while the NFL could come calling before that deal runs out, for the time being he plans on turning Cal into a year-in, year-out force in not only the Pac-10 but the nation.
It seems like people have already forgotten that when Tedford arrived, Cal was not only coming off a dreadful 1-10 season, it hadn't even produced a winning record in nine years. The following campaign, the Bears returned the fewest starters among Division I-A teams and were picked by the media to finish eighth in the Pac-10. Cal won eight games, including the last defeat of two-time defending national champions USC, and finished third in the Pac-10 at 5-3. It also defeated Virginia Tech, 52-49, in a thrilling Insight Bowl.
And Tedford is by no means a one-trick coach. An offensive mastermind, Cal has also enjoyed the fruits of three straight top-20 recruiting classes, including the No. 8 class this year according to Rivals.com.
As for this season, don't be fooled by any disparaging predictions. This program has taken its place among to the Pac-10 -- and the nation's -- elite.
QUARTERBACKS
This has been portrayed as a quarterback controversy entering fall practice. But it's really not. And while Cal is going to miss Rogers, who left with a year of eligibility remaining, it might be more mentally than physically.
For that's the only obstacle standing between junior Joseph Ayoob (6-3, 215) and the starting position. He has the attributes, having earned junior college All-America honors at City College of San Francisco last season. While Rogers spent just a year at the JUCO, many believe Ayoob is further along as a quarterback than Rogers was when he arrived on the Berkeley campus.
He just is having trouble figuring out perhaps the most-complex offensive playbook in the country. But while Ayoob appeared confused at times during the spring, it's likely he'll conquer the offense over the summer and be anointed the No. 1 man before the first game.
"I not a fan of a platoon system, a quarterback and the offense need a rhythm and I don't want one of them looking over their shoulder waiting for the hook after a few bad passes," Tedford said. "I don't want any of that. But it'll be a competitive race until someone separates.
"The quarterback in our system has to do a lot of decision-making, We can't handcuff the rest of the team waiting for Joe to learn the offense. But if he's ready to go come August, I see him taking the job and running with it."
It's hard to imagine a quarterback Tedford recruited and signed with the intention of starting not being able to pick up the offense after more than six months on campus, 15 spring practices and three weeks of two-a-days. He does, however, admit that the offense Ayoob ran last year is of little use to him now.
"It's not even close, I mean, it can't even be compared," Tedford said. "Through the course of the spring though, Joe was getting better and better. He has the potential, there's no doubt, and the natural ability is there, too."
Last season, redshirt freshman Nathan Longshore (6-5, 230) relayed the plays into the game from the sideline and is more than familiar with the offense. However, despite some touting him as the favorite after an impressive spring, he appears destined to back up Ayoob for two years before likely having his chance.
"Nate had a good spring and he has a little advantage going into August," Tedford said. "He knows the system and that's what we need. In many ways, it's a total tossup."
More plausibly, though, Tedford is trying to motivate Ayoob into learning the playbook cold before early August. The third-stringer is red-shirt freshman Bryan Van Meter (6-2, 185).
RUNNING BACKS
Last year, J.J. Arrington led the nation with 2,018 rushing yards and in the process, became the third Pac-10 back to pass the 2000-yard barrier. Marcus Allen and Charles Rogers, both of USC, are the only others. And while Arrington has departed to play on Sundays, it's almost impossible to find anyone involved with the Cal program, players, coaches, fans or media, who is worried about losing Arrington.
That's because of sophomore Marshawn Lynch (5-11, 200). His numbers last year were unheard of, especially in a major conference like the Pac-10 and considering how much real estate Arrington ground up. Despite not starting a game, Lynch rushed for 628 yards and 10 touchdowns. Lynch averaged 8.8 yards per carry, which easily led the Pac-10, and had runs of 70, 55, 43 and 42 yards.
His best games came against Stanford (127 yards) and at Washington (121 yards) in consecutive weeks late in the season. In those two games, he averaged 13 yards per carry.
"Lynch is a special player and it's not often, if ever, that a 2,000-yard rusher leaves and people are excited," Tedford said. "We've just had a little taste of this kid. And no question, we're fine with him getting 20-25 carries a game."
While Lynch will move into Arrington's role, a trio of backs are looking to earn Lynch's roster spot from 2004.
