Pacific Takes - Cal Football: Sonny Dykes Takes Over Where The West Coast Is The Best Coasthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52598/pt_fav.png2013-01-14T09:00:04-08:00http://www.pacifictakes.com/rss/stream/32276872013-01-14T09:00:04-08:002013-01-14T09:00:04-08:00Who were the top performers for Cal last season?
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<p>Who were the top performers on offense, defense, or special teams for Cal last season? Keenan Allen, C.J. Anderson, Steve Williams, Nick Forbes, and Vince D'Amato seemed to achieve those honors for the California Golden Bears.</p> <p><b>Who were your top performers on offense, defense and special teams this season and why?</b></p>
<p><b>Norcalnick, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com">California Golden Blogs</a>:</b> On offense, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113629/keenan-allen">Keenan Allen</a>. Let's not kid ourselves, Keenan kept the offense respectable almost by himself, and things looked significantly uglier when he got hurt. There are some talented guys, but nobody in Keenan's league yet.<br><br>On defense, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113633/nick-forbes">Nick Forbes</a>. He was in the lineup and healthy all season, he showed versatility and discipline, and he threw in some big plays towards the end of the year.<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135654/chris-mccain">Chris McCain</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135634/avery-sebastian">Avery Sebastian</a> might be better choices, but both missed time with injuries or didn't start the entire year, so I went with a more consistent impact player.<br><br>On special teams . . . well, uh, Vince D'Amato really did have a good year in the last 2/3rds of the season, so kudos to him. I think his 1st team all-conference selection says more about his contemporaries, but it's a nice honor for him either way.<b><br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bearswithfangs.com"><br>Bears With Fangs</a>:</b> Offense: Ok, so I'm going to say Keenan Allen. Let's get that out of the way. He was clearly the most talented player on the team and kept this offense afloat. There's very little argument against that. But I will propose readers should be seriously considering CJ Anderson. Despite Cal going with a two-back system, Anderson rushed for 790 yards despite only being given 126 carries. That's a 6.27 ypc, which is the best average for a runningback since Jahvid Best's ridiculous 2008 season. Anderson wasn't able to stay healthy for the entire season, but I have very little doubt in my mind that had the Bears been forced to ride CJA like your typical workhorse, the guy could have topped 1400 yards this year. Easily.<br><br>Defense: I was super impressed with Nick Forbes and saw the type of production I'd expect from a player who I had very high hopes for when we recruited him back in high school. The future is bright with that one. But you have to go with Steve Williams. The guy is the closest the Bears have had to a shutdown corner in a while and played very well despite being matched up against some talented receivers. It's a shame he didn't earn All Pac-12 honors (he got honorable mention, but that's like a pat on the back).<br><br>Special Teams: Bleh. I dunno, D'Amato? He was really good from Game 5 to Game 10. And then he fell off a bit. But kickoffs were solid, and he did kick a lot of field goals, so we'll say him, almost by default.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/cal-bears/2013/1/14/3874750/cal-football-keenan-allen-c-j-anderson-nick-forbes-steve-williams-vince-damatoAvinash Kunnath2012-12-15T07:33:47-08:002012-12-15T07:33:47-08:00Dave Aranda, Andy Buh finalists for Cal DC job?
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<p>The California Golden Bears have two serious contenders for defensive coordinator. One of them is Utah State defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. The other is Wisconsin linebackers coach Andy Buh.</p> <p>Sonny Dykes is bringing most of his Louisiana Tech offensive staff with him to Cal, as Tony Franklin, Rob Likens, Pierre Ingram, and Mark Tommerdahl are all joining him to implement what figures to be one of the most unique implementations of the Air Raid yet in a major college football program.</p>
<p>The big question is who will be the defensive coordinator tasked with trying to hold the offense down?</p>
<p>Two names have surfaced as legit contenders for the job. One of them is Utah State defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, who might have to choose whether he wants to coach at Berkeley or Lubbock.</p>
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<p>Sources tell me Utah State DC Dave Aranda has been offered the DC job at Cal and Texas Tech. <a href="http://t.co/9DdvqDFS" title="http://CoachingSearch.com">CoachingSearch.com</a></p>
— Pete Roussel (@coachingsearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/coachingsearch/status/279653289560272896" data-datetime="2012-12-14T18:25:14+00:00">December 14, 2012</a>
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<p>Utah State Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda will make a decision on either Cal/Texas Tech jobs in the next few days after the bowl game.</p>
— Kevin Graham (@KevinGrahamKFAN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinGrahamKFAN/status/279726884080717824" data-datetime="2012-12-14T23:17:40+00:00">December 14, 2012</a>
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<p>Aranda has familiarity with Dykes from his time as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech. He has been pretty successful on defense whereever he's been from Texas Tech to Houston to Cal Lutheran to Delta State to Hawaii, culminating with a nomination for a Broyles award by helping turn Utah State into one of the strongest defensive units in the conference.</p>
<p>It might seem clearcut to some that Cal is the better job, but Texas Tech offers plenty of appeal too for a guy like Aranda. Aranda didn't just coach at Texas Tech, he earned his master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from there too. He also coached under Greg McMakin at Hawaii the last few seasons as the defensive coordinator; McMakin was Aranda's defensive coordinator . So the Red Raider connect runs deep here, and if Aranda is successful at Lubbock, he could probably vault himself into bigger and better jobs.</p>
<p>Here are some of the biggest advantages Cal could enjoy with Aranda: He was born in California in the Redlands, went to school in California at Cal Lutheran, and is generally a California guy. Regardless of where he's been, he is generally responsible for recruiting the California region. He would immediately head a program with solid talent at almost every position, particularly at linebacker. And given that he's young and would enjoy some of the best facilities in the conference, he'd be able to recruit plenty of top stars in California and around the country to man his defense.</p>
<p>It figures to be a pretty tough decision for Aranda, who will have plenty of factors pulling him both ways.</p>
<p>If Aranda chooses Texas Tech, another potential contender for the job is Wisconsin linebackers coach Andy Buh.</p>
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<p>GM: Hearing that Wisconsin linebackers coach Andy Buh has been interviewed for the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Cal">#Cal</a> defensive coordinator position.</p>
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals/status/279656692705284096" data-datetime="2012-12-14T18:38:45+00:00">December 14, 2012</a>
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<p>Sources tell me that Sonny Dykes has interviewed Wisconsin linebackers coach Andy Buh for the DC job at Cal.<a href="http://t.co/Doqmjcyu" title="http://bit.ly/sbcB2K">bit.ly/sbcB2K</a></p>
— Pete Roussel (@coachingsearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/coachingsearch/status/279648286460231681" data-datetime="2012-12-14T18:05:21+00:00">December 14, 2012</a>
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<p>Buh was a defensive administrative assistant at Cal during the last two years of the Tom Holmoe era, but he's probably best familiar to Cal fans as Stanford's linebackers coach in 2007 and co-defensive coordinator in 2008 and 2009, when the Cardinal began their upward trend toward the BCS. Although the Cardinal weren't a great defensive team either season he was the DC, they only really began to stockpile defensive talent near the end of his tenure, and Stanford definitely started making the strides they needed to make his final year there. The biggest feather in Buh's cap were helping to recruit defenders like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77852/shayne-skov">Shayne Skov</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37760/chase-thomas">Chase Thomas</a>, the one-two combo that stopped Oregon in his tracks. Buh definitely has an eye for talent.</p>
<p>Buh would then become a full-time defensive coordinator with Nevada, where he would most notably improve Nevada's defense in quick time in two seasons. Although the Wolfpack were definitely led by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14842/colin-kaepernick">Colin Kaepernick</a>, the Nevada defense wasn't too shabby either. They beat Cal, beat Boise, beat almost everyone in winning the WAC his first season, and the defense held their own while the offense transitioned in Buh's second season. Up in Wisconsin as the linebackers coach, his three starting linebackers lead the team in tackles, and the Badgers sported one of the best defenses in the conference.</p>
<p>Buh is also fairly young (don't let his pictures fool you, he's 39, about four years older than Aranda). He has great experience in major conferences. More importantly, he also has a lot of great connections with Southern California recruits that Cal has been targeting (Darius Allensworth, Cameron Walker, and Tyler Foreman come to mind. A switch to Cal could really give the Bears a marquee name to attract big defensive recruits.</p>
<p>Utah State and Wisconsin battled on the field this season in Camp Randall. These two teams can score. The final was 16-14 Badgers.</p>
<p>These seem like two very worthy contenders for the Cal defensive coordinator job. Who would you prefer?</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/pac-12-football-coaches/2012/12/15/3769634/cal-defensive-coordinator-utah-state-dave-aranda-wisconsin-andy-buhAvinash Kunnath2012-12-13T07:19:03-08:002012-12-13T07:19:03-08:00Who are good Cal defensive coordinator candidates?
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<p>California Golden Bears head coach Sonny Dykes still is looking for a defensive coordinator. New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker and Utah State DC Dave Aranda are two potential candidates.</p> <p>With most of the Cal offensive staff rounding into form, the next big hire for Sonny Dykes will be who he picks out for defensive coordinator. As good as his Louisiana Tech offense was, his defense was downright bad in 2012, and they had to pour on the points to push the Bulldogs to a 9-3 record. So a good hire would go a long way toward making a good impression on the Cal fanbase that Dykes has the clout to get units that will perform well on both sides of the ball.</p>
<p>Two candidates have emerged so far: New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker and Utah State defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/status/276846654588600320">Walker is the only candidate Dykes has mentioned by name so far in this process</a>.</p>
<p>Walker obviously hasn't had a lot of success coaching in one of the least desirable spots in America to coach major college football. Walker has gone 10-40 in his four seasons in Las Cruces. However, he does have extensive experience in coaching the Pac-12 and particularly California, where he has spent time at Cal, USC and UCLA in various capacities. He coached at Cal for two seasons in 1996-1997, found his way onto Pete Carroll's 2001 staff that made it to the Orange Bowl, and has had some decent defensive coordinating moments with UCLA from 2006-2008. Walker does have good recruiting roots in Los Angeles, which will be crucial for any coaching hire at Cal.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cal.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1447672">Walker denies having talked with anyone about the position</a>. He's also considered <a target="_blank" href="http://pacifictakes.com/pac-12-football-coaches/2012/12/3/3721162/usc-trojans-gene-chizik-ed-orgeron-joe-barry-clancy-pendergast-randy-shannon-dewayne-walker">a potential candidate at USC</a>, who also has a vacancy available with the departure of Monte Kiffin. It might be a little complicated with Walker, since he is still technically under contract.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/KevinGrahamKFAN/status/278529391582146560">Aranda's name has also circulated a little bit</a>. He is considered one of the bright young defensive coaches on the up-and-up, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.broylesaward.com/press-releases/2012/11/21/nominees-announced-for-2012-broyles-award">was a nominee for the Broyles award given to the top assistant coach</a>.</p>
<p>If you're looking for a defense that seems to match up well with what Dykes is trying to do on offense, Aranda might possess the type of aggressive approach that works well. His teams have been good at getting pressure on the quarterback. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2012/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category10/sort02.html">Utah State was a TOP FIVE defense with regards to yards per play</a>, so it's hard not to see how he isn't qualified. Aranda's teams have been 32nd, 15th and 8th at Hawaii and Utah State the last three seasons when he's served as defensive coordinator. Additionally, Aranda was a graduate assistant at Texas Tech when Dykes was on the coaching staff.</p>
<p>Interestingly, these two candidates arguably played Louisiana Tech the toughest on defense this year. Walker's New Mexico State squad surrendered only 28 points throughout the course of the game against the number one scoring offense in the country; they lost by the relatively normal score of 28-14. Arinda's Utah State team had Dykes's offense on lock down through much of the game, giving up only three points through nearly two-and-a-half quarters before the voodoo in the Ruston swamp air kicked in and Louisiana Tech poured on 38 points in the second half to send it into overtime.</p>
<p>Utah State's season concludes this Saturday in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Don't be surprised if Dykes is waiting for potential candidates to finish up their seasons before deciding to give them an interview.</p>
<p>Do not expect Clancy Pendergast to audition for the Cal DC position again. He is not considered a serious contender.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/cal-bears/2012/12/13/3762192/cal-bears-sonny-dykes-dewayne-walker-dave-arandaAvinash Kunnath2012-12-10T06:34:00-08:002012-12-10T06:34:00-08:00Cal could hire a defensive coordinator this week
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<p>Will Sonny Dykes and Cal hire a defensive coordinator this week to go along with offensive coordinator Tony Franklin? Also updates on Ron Gould, and two new potential assistants joining the staff.</p> <p>First things first. Texas Tech has a head coach opening, and Sonny Dykes has been mentioned as a potential candidate, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/sonny-dykes-cal-bears-head-coach/2012/12/8/3744394/sonny-dykes-cal-texas-tech-coach-search">but it seems like Dykes is quite happy at being a Golden Bear</a>. Considering he's already signed a contract, it's unlikely he will renege this deep into the proceedings.</p>
<p>Dykes is starting to assemble his coaching staff. One of the hires will be the engine that drove the Louisiana Tech offense the past year and Dykes's partner-in-crime in building the team.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/sonny-dykes-cal-bears-head-coach/2012/12/7/3740766/tony-franklin-sonny-dykes-california-golden-bears-offensive-coordinator">Tony Franklin is on his way to Cal</a>! The offensive coordinator joined up with Dykes in Louisiana Tech to create one of the best offenses in the country, and it looks like they're ready to replicate the magic in Berkeley.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20121208/SPORTS/212080319/Dykes-pilfers-Franklin-offense-role-Cal">Rob Likens is probably on his way too</a>. The Louisiana Tech wide receivers coach was given interim responsibilities with the Bulldogs, but they were later retracted and handed over to defensive line coach Stan Eggen the same day. It's a bit of a mess down in the Bayou. Additionally,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/m-footbl-coaching-staff.html"> Likens is no longer listed on the Louisiana Tech coaching staff</a>, which is a good indicator that he's going <i>somewhere </i>(Franklin is still listed, although he probably hasn't been formally hired yet).</p>
<p>It was rumored that Likens would be one of the three Louisiana Tech coaches. Here is the initial rumor from Football Scoop.</p>
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<p>Sources tell us Tony Franklin, Pierre Ingram & Rob Likens expected to go to Cal as well. Not meaning 2 leave others out, just told those 3</p>
— FootballScoop Staff (@footballscoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballscoop/status/276526476604624896" data-datetime="2012-12-06T03:20:24+00:00">December 6, 2012</a>
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<p>There is no word yet on the statuses of any of the five Cal assistants and whether any of them will be retained. Franklin and Likens seem to be sure things, which probably means Wes Chandler will not be sticking around or he'll be shuffled to one part of coaching the receivers. The third coach could raise questions on whether Ron Gould will be retained, since Ingram was the running back coach at Louisiana Tech.</p>
<p>Gould has been at Cal for nearly 16 years, and considering how well-respected he is at Cal, the Bears might try and find a way to keep him to maintain continuity between one staff and the next. Also, Gould is one of the brightest recruiters and greatest reps of the Bears (and just a great RB coach in gneeral), so it makes perfect sense to retain him.</p>
<p>The big question for Cal is who will become their defensive coordinator? Dykes aims to have a hire in sometime this week.</p>
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<p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/coachsonnydykes">coachsonnydykes</a> interviewed at halftime of Cal BB game. Said his DC hire will be this week."One of the top guys in the country."</p>
— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/status/277929896481804289" data-datetime="2012-12-10T00:17:05+00:00">December 10, 2012</a>
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<p>The only name that has really been circulated is New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker, who is well-acquainted with the West Coast and has been a defensive coordinator for a few seasons before UCLA. Walker is one of the top recruiters out of Los Angeles and he could pair up well in coaching up the defensive side of the football with Dykes.</p>
<p>However, there are probably other names in the running that we don't know about. So we have a long way to go here.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/pac-12-football-coaches/2012/12/10/3743222/cal-bears-tony-franklin-rob-likens-ron-gould-pierre-ingram-dewayne-walkerAvinash Kunnath2012-12-06T04:44:05-08:002012-12-06T04:44:05-08:00Cal goes bold in hiring Sonny Dykes
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<img alt="Nov 12, 2011; Oxford, MS, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs head coach Sonny Dykes prior to the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SXts0ntMGd-Qox6YhKnYy-Hgfw0=/0x54:733x543/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4511105/uspw_5695898.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nov 12, 2011; Oxford, MS, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs head coach Sonny Dykes prior to the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. | Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The California Golden Bears are not messing around; in hiring Sonny Dykes, they've made it clear they want to shake up the conference with the offense. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/california-golden-bears">California Golden Bears</a> had plenty of directions they could go in trying to replace Jeff Tedford. They could have replicated their relatives to the south and taken an NFL coach and tried to manage up a good team. They could have found a good fit with California ties who was simple and conventional.</p>
<p>But Sandy Barbour went swinging for the fences. She went bold. She went for the underdog. She went and got Sonny Dykes.<br><br>There are plenty of window dressing reasons as to why the Bears decided Dykes was their guy, but it should be clear to anyone who's watched the man's development as a coach over the past decade as to why the Bears went with him. The reason Barbour hired Dykes (and by proxy Tony Franklin) is the offense. The two Hal Mumme disciples have brought one of the most prolific offensive schemes in college football to Strawberry Canyon.</p>
<p>What Dykes ran at Louisiana Tech has evolved beyond Mumme's typical Airraid attack that is still best employed by Mike Leach. With Leach, the offense is almost entirely set up by passing the football ad nauseum, with stick and short routes replacing run plays for short running gains. It can be extremely effective when it gets going, although it never really sputtered to life in Leach's first season at Washington State.</p>
<p>That isn't what Dykes does. His offense relies heavily on both the passing element of the Airraid (or has Cal fans now like to call it, the "Bear Raid") and a lot of zone run plays that give the football to the running backs once the defense loosens up in the box. If you've watched Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, Art Briles at Baylor, or Kliff Kingsbury at Texas A&M (all three who were on Leach's staff/roster in 2002), this is the type of offense that Dykes is bringing to the West Coast. It definitely has its own unique flavor, and if employed properly with Cal's offensive talent has the potential for huge upside in a Pac-12 that hasn't quite yet met this evolved strand of Mumme's and Leach's philosophy. The Bears have always been brimming with skill talent, and this crop of personnel will rival among the most talented players to ever suit up in this style of offense.</p>
<p>The hope with Franklin and with Dykes is that with their innovative scheme, they can revive a moribund Cal offense brimming with talent but lacking execution in the final days of the Tedford era. There is definite talent at almost every position: At quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end, the Bears have a myriad of options to choose from to try and make this gameplan work. The big question is how long it'll take; Cal has been average to mediocre in the Pac-12 the past few years, and the fans are clamoring for results in a hurry.</p>
<p>Cal might have remembered the first dark blotch of the Tedford era came at the hands of Dykes, as his wide recievers torched one of the best Cal defenses that ever walked through Memorial. The Red Raiders humbled a Bears team that felt it had every right to be in the Rose Bowl, with nine of Dykes's receivers combining to haul in 39 passes and 520 yards through the air.</p>
<p>Dykes's offense has kept his teams in dozens of games that otherwise seemed lost, and exploded for points to turn close games into routs. The most famous game was the 2006 Insight Bowl, when Texas Tech trailed Minnesota 38-7 and rallied for the biggest bowl game comeback ever, scoring 31 points in just under 20 minutes.</p>
<p>In Louisiana Tech, his Bulldogs trailed 34-7 in the second quarter to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel">Johnny Manziel</a> and Texas A&M. In the incredible span of 23 minutes Lousiana Tech rallied all the way back to rip off a 37-12 run to cut the lead to two. When the Aggies seemed to seal it away again on a Manziel 72 yard scamper and a 59-44 lead with two minutes left, Louisiana Tech came RIGHT BACK and scored two touchdowns in ninety seconds, and only another failed two point conversion ended that upset bid.</p>
<p>Louisiana Tech would do the same thing against Utah State, rallying from 34-10 to come back and send the game into overtime. Talk about never giving up; Dykes's offense is like the water pushing at the cracks of a run-down dam. All it takes is just one little spike...</p>
<p>But his biggest comeback came during a season, not a game. After a 1-4 start in his sophomore campaign with the Bulldogs (all close losses except a shocker to Hawaii), Louisiana Tech rolled off seven straight wins to end the season to win the WAC. Dykes's teams have proven to be not only highly competitive, but resilient and able to withstand tough odds, and the fact that he did that with a freshman quarterback had to be even all the more impressive. Those attributes had to really attract Barbour to go after Dykes.</p>
<p>Dykes feels like a good hire on paper, but he's far from a sure bet. He definitely has experience setting up powerful offenses in Texas Tech, Arizona and Louisiana Tech. He has proven he can win in all those places and compete with the best of them. He has proven he can win the run and the pass, and will maximize his personal and adjust properly to any disadvantageous situation. That is the type of coach Cal definitely wants around so that they alawys have the ability to compete with everyone.</p>
<p>There are drawbacks to being so prolific offensively. Louisiana Tech had a horrible defense last year to offset the great offense; despite winning nine games and having the best offense in the country, there was some feeling that Dykes's ability to score too quickly taxed the defense, and they'd end up hemorrhaging as many points as the Bulldogs had just put on the scoreboard. Obviously, Cal's defense is way more talented than Louisiana Tech's, but so should their offense. The concern is whether talent personnel can keep up with the up-tempo pace Dykes is sure to set the moment spring practice starts in Strawberry Canyon.<br><br>There are some big cultural questions we can only guess the answers to at this point. Can Dykes improve Cal's sagging APR and graduation rate, which are threatening to put the Bears on the brink of academic probation? Can he get his players to become more disciplined after a year filled with penalties in both schools? Can he get the assistants he wants at Cal and retain them long enough for the Bears to thrive long-term? Can he recruit successfully in California after spending most of his life scouring the hotbeds of Texas?<br><br>There are so many questions. But one thing is for sure. Cal isn't playing around anymore. The Rose Bowl is serious business for the Bears, and this hire proves that they're ready to go outside the box to try and get themselves to Pasadena. The expectation with Dykes is that he can build a Pac-12 champion-ready offense in a short time span, and he'll have to do it in a hurry.</p>
<p>You've changed Cal. You really have.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/cal-bears/2012/12/6/3735098/california-golden-bears-head-coach-sonny-dykesAvinash Kunnath2012-12-05T01:51:20-08:002012-12-05T01:51:20-08:00The Cal coach search won't end; our power rankings
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>This Cal coaching search doesn't end. Let's take a look at each of the potential Golden Bears coaching candidates and rank them worst to first.</p> <p> </p>
<p>As we start to wind toward what should be an inevitable announcement of Cal's new head coach this week, a clear hierarchy has emerged of who would be satisfactory, who would be intriguing, and who's the ace in the hole.</p>
<p>We liken it to movie sequels. We're basically looking at guys who almost everyone has been through once and who anyone else might take, so we know their track record and have a general idea.. Here are the possibilities.</p>
<p><b><i>10. The Matrix Reloaded<br></i></b></p>
<p><b>Herm Edwards: </b>We believe he is the one who will set us free. College football has made it seem like there are plenty of Architects out there and he will somehow fail like all the others before him have, and then things reboots. Unless he decides to make a choice. Unless he decides to deviate from the program. Because he knows what he has to do. Because he has a choice to make. And he knows that this choice will determine what comes next. And he knows that the choice could break the program. So he must realize what he must do.</p>
<p>(Aneurysm.)</p>
<p><i><b>9. </b></i><b><i> Bad Boys 2</i></b></p>
<p><b><span class="sbn-auto-link">Justin Wilcox</span>: </b>The thought of Wilcox and Tosh returning to Cal so they can personally rampage the university like Vandals has a sort of dystopian post-apocalyptic flair to it. I'd rather wait for the Mayans to unleash their vengeance before making this hire, since at this point we'll probably just want football without helmets.</p>
<p><b><i>8. Temple of Doom</i></b></p>
<p><b>Hue Jackson: </b>Do you want someone who has bounced around football jobs like a Bedouin tribesman, lost to Tom Holmoe in a battle of wits at U-S-FREAKING-C, threw his team under the bus as a head coach and got his walking papers handed to him as a result of said tirade, and has openly stumped for the Cal coaching job despite being part of a franchise in the race for the playoffs? KALI MA!</p>
<p><b><i>7. 2 Fast 2 Furious</i><br></b></p>
<p><b>Ron Rivera: </b>Hey, so two schools in this conference have already made big splashes in trying out professional names, so let's give someone who's been even LESS successful than the previous two candidates our expensive new vehicle and let him drive.</p>
<p><b><i>6. Iron Man II </i></b></p>
<p><b>Tim DeRuyter: </b> I'm guessing that unless you're already a diehard, you're not exactly turning out in droves for this one. This guy might be real good, but you're not exactly going out of your way to buy tickets to watch this unless you're a fan of the leading man. Who knows, he maybe unstoppable, but he might also be a retread. You never really know until you try it.</p>
<p><i><b>5. The Phantom Menace</b></i></p>
<p><b>Sonny Dykes: </b>Oh yeah, there will be booms, explosions and plenty of offensive-minded duels. There are also so many unanswered questions about discipline and management and dialogue that the possibility of a Jar Jar waits around every corner. The wizardry of the offense might also be explained away by midi-Chlorians if the team gets outdueled by the Oregons and Arizonas of the world, and then we'd get really confused and exasperated.</p>
<p><i><b>4. Back to the Future, Part II</b></i></p>
<p><b>Mike MacIntyre: </b>Isn't this deja vu all over again? Haven't we seen this formula before? An upstart coach that finds great success in a certain environment, stumbles into a prolific JuCo quarterback, and garners instant success? Do we have to go back and do it all over again? And what are you doing with that sports almanac Marty?</p>
<p><i><b>3. Judgment Day</b></i></p>
<p><b>Bob Diaco: </b>There is nothing spectacular about this man on paper. He just gets his job done and gets moving to the next task. There's no definite personality or total understanding as to what he will do, but he will break your offense and will get it all done. He can only hope he doesn't encounter another of his like. Solid and reliable, but it's unclear if he's just a function of his design or he can do anything other than destroy your offense.</p>
<p><i><b>2. The Empire Strikes Back</b></i></p>
<p><b>Charlie Strong: </b>Hey, remember when we had a shot at this guy a decade ago? And it turned he was super awesome at his job after finally getting a shot at htis again Wouldn't it be cool if we got a second chance to do it all over again?</p>
<p>This ending will sadly be a dark one. Pour your hopes into trying to get him, and you'll end up being frozen in carbonite.</p>
<p><i><b>1. The Dark Knight</b></i></p>
<p><b>Chris Petersen: </b>Self-explanatory at this point. [Cue a thousand Batman quotes in the comments that describe the Moby Dick of the Smurf Turf].</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/pac-12-football-coaches/2012/12/5/3730476/cal-football-head-coach-hue-jackson-ron-rivera-tim-deruyter-sonny-dykes-herm-edwardsAvinash Kunnath2012-11-29T02:27:24-08:002012-11-29T02:27:24-08:00Cal coach rumors: Andersen, Petersen, Jackson...
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<figcaption>Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Gary Andersen has been contacted by Cal and Colorado, Chris Petersen's friends believe he might or might not try out the Cal job, Hue Jackson openly covets the position, and Mike MacIntyre won't be going to Kentucky.</p> <p><b>1. Chris Petersen's friends think he might or might not want the job.</b></p>
<p>I've already made my public feelings on Petersen: He'd be a dream fit for Cal, but it might also be a dream that he'd actually be interested in coming here.</p>
<p>Petersen is a UC Davis alumni, so it makes sense to consult with UC Davis alumni about whether he might accept the position. Jeff Faraudo has done just that.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_22078076">One says yes</a>.</p>
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<p>Jim Sochor, who coached Petersen at UC Davis and gave him his first coaching job, said Tuesday the changing landscape at Boise might tempt Petersen to make a move after years of resisting big offers.</p>
<p>"A lot of changes have taken place there," said Sochor, referring to the Broncos' scheduled move to the Big East Conference in 2014 and the arrival of a new athletic director last year. "I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he's had maybe some change of heart. At some point I do believe he will go elsewhere."</p>
<p>Sochor hopes that place is Cal.</p>
<p>"He'd be great at Cal. He has all the requisites that Cal would be looking for," Sochor said.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mercurynews.com/cal-bears/ci_22085276/cal-contacts-utah-states-gary-andersen-about-its">The other says no</a>.</p>
<p><span id="mn_Article"></span></p>
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<p>The day after former UC Davis coaching legend Jim Sochor suggested that changes at Boise could sway Petersen to look elsewhere, Biggs disagreed.</p>
<p>"Chris is a man of tremendous integrity," said Biggs, who coached Petersen under Sochor in 1985 and '86. "If he says he's not going to do something, which publicly he has said, he is not one to back away from that. That's just not who he is. He doesn't play games."</p>
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<p>Neither of these really indicate anything. It doesn't seem like either has talked to Petersen about whether he's interested in moving away from Boise. Right now all outside public indications are that Petersen isn't going anywhere, so keep your hopes at 5% or less.</p>
<p><b>2. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ibabuzz.com/beartalk/2012/11/28/football-utah-states-gary-andersen-in-demand/">Cal and Colorado have contacted Gary Andersen</a></b></p>
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<p>Gary Andersen, who guided Utah State to a 10-2 regular-season record and an outright Western Athletic Conference crown, apparently has moved toward the top of the coaching wish lists for both Cal and Colorado.</p>
<p>Sources indicate representatives from both schools have reached out to Andersen, 48, who in 2009 took over an Aggies program that hadn’t enjoyed a winning season since 1996.</p>
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<p>This is one of those deals where I'm not sure what to make of it. Andersen is most definitely a talented coach.</p>
<p>The question is whether Andersen is really interested in moving outside of the state of Utah (a place he's coached nearly his entire career) and take up new roots in California or Colorado, or he's just trying to gauge interest so he can hopefully get additional contract assurances from Utah State to keep him. Cal seems especially daunting for a coach who's been at one place for much of his career.</p>
<p><b>3. Hue Jackson</b></p>
<p>There seems to be only one candidate who is publicly putting himself in the running for the position.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mercurynews.com/cal-bears/ci_22074184?source=rss&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed"> It's nice to feel wanted!</a></p>
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<p>"I think they can be as good as they want to be," Jackson told this newspaper Tuesday in a phone interview. "They should have an opportunity to compete for the Pac-12 championship, BCS bowls, the national championship. Why not Cal?"</p>
<p>Jackson, 47, was offensive coordinator at Cal in 1996. Currently coaching defensive backs and special teams for the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackson led the Raiders to an 8-8 record in 2011, his only as head coach in Oakland. He was the Raiders' offensive coordinator in 2010.</p>
<p>He stressed that he has not heard from anyone at Cal, but would welcome a call. "I'm sure I would. I see no reason not to," he said.</p>
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<p>Honestly, the more Hue Jackson seems to publicly indicate he wants the job, the less I think he'll actually get the job. Jackson is openly lobbying for a job mid-season while the team he coaches for is 6-5 and in the midst of a playoff hunt. This kind of open love seems to be a bit self-aggrandizing, and I'm not sure if Sandy Barbour will go for that.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Jim Mora did the same type of lobbying last year and got hired, and look how that turned out!</p>
<p><b>5. Jeff Tedford not interested in Colorado job</b></p>
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<p>A source close to former Cal coach Jeff Tedford says he has no interest in the Colorado job. Views it as too tough for numerous reasons.</p>
— Kyle Ringo (@KyleRingo) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleRingo/status/273882074094632960" data-datetime="2012-11-28T20:12:29+00:00">November 28, 2012</a>
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<p>And really, thank goodness. I don't want to face our old coach. It's not fun if we beat him and it's even worse if we lose to him. I hope he tries something outside the Pac-12, or hits up the NFL, or goes into TV. Something that affords him the opportunity to do a lot of yoga or meditation.</p>
<p><b>6. Mum's the word with Mike MacIntyre</b></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_22084438/san-jose-state-working-keep-coach-mike-macintyre">The only thing we know is San Jose State is committed to trying to keep him a Spartan</a>.</p>
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<p>"We want Coach Mac to stay here," SJSU athletic director Gene Bleymaier said Wednesday. "He's done a phenomenal job. We're doing everything we possibly can to keep him. We've been working on that for months."</p>
<p>Those measures include looking to increase MacIntyre's salary, which is in the $450,000 range, and improving facilities. Bleymaier didn't specify whether the school was eyeing an extension or a renegotiation of his current deal, which runs through the 2017 season. But they are committed to working improving the program in all areas. "It's everything," Bleymaier said. "It's trying to improve the program in every way that we can. Give him the opportunity to try to continue to have the success we've had this year and build on that. We're working to develop a plan to make that happen."</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Obviously, if Cal wants him, it'll be hard to see how they don't get him. Cal might have financial issues, but they should have no problem pooling resources together for MacIntyre.</p>
<p><b>7. Other candidates</b></p>
<p>Sonny Dykes: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20121128/SPORTS/211280322/?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CNEWS01&nclick_check=1">Interviewed for N.C. State</a>.</p>
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<p>Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde hasn't returned calls to his cell phone after The News-Star learned of Dykes' interview, but he said earlier Tuesday evening that coaching situations across the country are "fluid," but "as far we know, no decision has been made yet."<br><br>"(Dykes and I) have been talking and assessing the situation if anything were to occur," Van De Velde said Tuesday evening.</p>
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<p>Herm Edwards: Currently wearing pink socks on ESPN Audibles. This is probably code. Please decrypt.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/cal-bears/2012/11/29/3704738/cal-bears-gary-andersen-chris-petersen-hue-jackson-mike-macintyre-sonny-dykesAvinash Kunnath2012-11-27T06:00:03-08:002012-11-27T06:00:03-08:00Jeff Tedford, the man who rebuilt Cal football
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<figcaption>Jeff Tedford leaves a legacy at Cal bigger than a giant whale trophy. | <a href="http://calbearsonline.com/photos_galleries/cal_bears_football/cal_bears_football/2006_holiday_bowl.html">Cal Bears Online</a></figcaption>
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<p>Jeff Tedford will forever be known as the man who made the California Golden Bears into a program worth respecting once again.</p> <p><b>What will be Jeff Tedford's legacy at Cal? What will you remember the most about his tenure?</b></p>
<p><b>Avinash, </b><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com">California Golden Blogs</a></b>:<a target="_blank" href="http://pacifictakes.com/cal-bears/2012/11/21/3674866/jeff-tedford-california-golden-bears-head-coach"> See here</a>.<br><br><b>Ohio Bear, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com">California Golden Blogs</a>:</b> A long time ago, on a Michigan blog of all places, I read Cal being referred to as "the Indiana of the Pac-10." The reference was meant as compliment to Jeff Tedford, who was seen as a guy who did the impossible: take a football program out of the dumpster and make it a conference championship contender. Basically, that is how I will remember Coach Tedford. I will not forget where Cal was when he took over and what he did with the program in a short period of time. In my mind, he did the hard part: turning the program around, generating enthusiasm, and creating expectation. Yes, I will also remember that he was a victim of what he created. But when all is said and done and we have moved on to the next coach(es), I will remember most the fact that Coach Tedford made Cal relevant in college football. <br><br>And, oh yeah: I'll fondly remember winning the Big Game 7 out of 8 years from 2002 to 2009. Because, sadly, I don't expect another run like that in my lifetime. <br><br><b>ragnarok, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com">California Golden Blogs</a>:</b> Tedford turned Cal around from a national afterthought, where you thought the football team might never overcome significant institutional disadvantages to compete consistently at college football's highest level, to a consistent winner that could raise the program's profile to the point where a major facilities upgrade was possible. Whatever else happened, that has been his lasting legacy. Oh yeah, and he did it with a program initially saddled with probation for an academic scandal, something that we haven't seen the likes of since he arrived.<br><br>What will I remember most? Baylor 2002. Stanford 2002. USC 2003. Insight Bowl 2003. USC 2004. Tennessee 2006. Oregon 2007. And yes, Stanford 2009.<br><br><b>Berkelium97, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com">California Golden Blogs</a>:</b> As disappointing as the past few years have been, I will immediately remember the good times under Tedford's tenure. Winning five straight Big Games, sharing the Pac-10 title, twice coming within a hair of reaching the Rose Bowl. He was a once-in-a-generation coach who helped bring us out of the basement and lay the foundation for years of success in the future. Of course, the biggest legacy of the Tedford era will be the Memorial Stadium renovation and the construction of some 21st century facilities.<br>Tedford has done far too much for this university for his legacy to be tainted by a few bad seasons at the end of his tenure.<br><br><b>LeonPowe, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com">California Golden Blogs</a>: </b> I prefer to remember the successes rather than the failures. Cal's all time most winningest coach. Brought about a serious culture change on campus raising the importance of football, while trying to keep academics as a central selling point of the University. We haven't had very many bad player behavior incidents over the past 10 years, while delivering quite a lot of fantastic memories, players and games. A whole list of players who have played for the program in the last ten years have made me very proud be a Cal grad. And while Tedford gets criticized for his robo-coach demeanor, I have appreciated his usually calm and non-controversial approach in dealing with the media and his on the field demeanor (except for a few instances).<br><br>Tedford ultimately set the expectation level very high and unfortunately has failed to live up to his own standards. But I hope Cal fans and alums everywhere really appreciate what he has done and more importantly the difficulty of doing it at a school like Cal.</p>
<p><b>Kodiak,</b><b><a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com"> California Golden Blogs</a></b>: Jeff Tedford's legacy will be in resurrecting a dormant football program and returning it to relevance. He is the man that brought us a share of the Pac-10 title, to the brink of the Rose Bowl, and got the SAHPC built along with the renovations to Memorial Stadium.</p>
<p>Sadly enough, the Iwo Jima photo in my mind that summarizes the era would be the sight of Tedford throwing his clipboard down to the ground in 2007. So close...and yet...</p>
<p>I prefer to remember that first amazing, crazy, spine-tingling halfback option against Baylor. Or the sheer bliss of seeing Frederickson's field goal beat 'sc in triple OT. Or any of several Big Game victories, especially '02 and '09.</p>
<p>After 30+ years of Cal fandom, I've seen a lot of bad football and several bad coaches. Despite the past few years, Jeff Tedford was one of the good ones. Although I understand and agree with the reasons, I'm sad to see him go. Thanks for everything, Coach. I wish you and your family the best.</p>
<p><b>solarise,<a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com"> California Golden Blogs</a>:</b> Triple OT 34-31 over $C. F$&@ Mack Brown. Rose Bowl was ours 2004. I<br>don't think I am out of line to call Jeff Tedford the savior of Cal football. He brought us back from the abyss. He made Saturdays in Strawberry Canyon relevant again. That's how I will remember Coach Tedford.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/cal-bears/2012/11/27/3648616/jeff-tedford-cal-california-golden-bears-football-2012Avinash Kunnath