Jeff Tedford
Encyclopedia
Jeff Tedford is an American football
coach and the current head coach
of the California Golden Bears football
team, a position he has held since 2002. As a first-time head coach, Tedford has won wide acclaim for revitalizing the Cal football program. Tedford currently has the most career victories of any Cal head coach, which was accomplished during the 2011 season
. He is the highest paid state employee of California as of 2010. http://www.sacbee.com/statepay/
the youngest of five children to Joe and Betty Tedford. Tedford's parents divorced before he turned 10. His brother Dennis, 10 years his senior, helped raise Tedford, taking him on camping trips and driving him to football practice and games. Tedford attended Warren High School
in Downey, California
, where he was a letterman in football, playing quarterback and earning an All-League selection. Tedford graduated from Warren High School in 1979.
, becoming the first member of his family to attend college. He spent two years playing quarterback
at Cerritos followed by two years at Fresno State
, where he established several passing records, including career marks for passing yardage (4,872) and touchdown passes (35). As a senior, Tedford led the Bulldogs to a Pacific Coast Athletic Association
conference championship and a last-second, 29-28 come-from-behind victory in the 1982 California Bowl
.
After graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in physical education in 1983, Tedford played professionally in the Canadian Football League
(CFL) for six seasons with Hamilton
, Calgary
, Saskatchewan
, and Winnipeg
.
. He then coached as an offensive assistant for the Calgary Stampeders
in the CFL (1989–1991); returned to Fresno State as quarterback coach (1992); was promoted to offensive coordinator
at Fresno State (1993–1997); and worked as offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon
(1998–2001). During his time at Oregon, the Ducks notched a Pac-10-best record of 38–10 while finishing progressively better each year (8–4 in 1998, 9–3 in 1999, 10–2 in 2000 and 11–1 in 2001).
resigned from his post amid a 1–10 season in 2001, worst in Cal's history, then athletic director Steve Gladstone
hired Tedford to become Cal's 32nd head football coach. Tedford inherited a program that had not had a winning season since 1993 and had only won 29 games on the field since then, including only 18 wins in Pac-10 play.
During his time at Cal, Tedford has become known for his work ethic, often working late hours in his office and sleeping on an air mattress. In evidence of his turnaround of the Cal program, season ticket sales jumped from 16,200 in 2002 to 41,336 in 2007, setting new records each year from 2004 through 2007.
In Tedford's first season (2002), he led the Golden Bears to a 7–5 record, their first winning football season since 1993, the nation's biggest turnaround of the year, and was named Pac-10 coach of the year. The Bears ended a 19-game losing streak to Washington
and a seven-game losing streak to arch rival Stanford
in the Big Game
. Despite their resurgence, the Bears didn't go to a bowl due to NCAA sanctions for academic fraud that were handed down shortly before Tedford took over.
After the season, Tedford signed a five-year contract through 2007 to replace his original four-year contract, which ran through 2005.
In the 2003 season, Tedford's record of 8–6 included the upset of eventual national co-champion University of Southern California in triple overtime, as well as a 52–49 shootout victory against Virginia Tech
in the 2003 Insight Bowl
. The Bears won 5 of their last 6 games.
In the 2004 football season
, the Bears finished with a No. 9 national ranking in both the AP Poll
and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll
with a 10–2 record, losing to Texas Tech
in the Holiday Bowl
. Tedford was named Pac-10 coach of the year for a second time. The team was undefeated at home, notched the fifth 10-win season in school history (and first since 1949). Since Pac-10 champion USC had earned a berth in the BCS national title game, it initially looked like the Bears, as runners-up, had the inside track to the Pac-10's berth in the Rose Bowl--which would have been their first appearance in that game since 1960. However, after heavy lobbying by Texas
coach Mack Brown
, Texas received enough votes to edge past Cal in the final BCS standings, giving them a berth in the Rose Bowl--an event that still rankles many Bears fans and players to this day.
Following the regular season, Tedford signed an extension of his contract through 2009, which nearly doubled his base salary to $
1.5 million per year; in the deal he also had the pay of his assistant coaches raised significantly.
In 2005
, the Bears finished with a No. 25 national ranking in both the AP Poll and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll with an 8-4 record. Cal rose as high as No. 10 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll in week 6 before losing to UCLA
47-40. They beat BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl
, 35-28.
In 2006
, the Bears recorded an eight-game win-streak, including five straight games scoring 40 or more points, rising as high as No. 8 in the AP poll, and remaining undefeated at home. The Bears finished the season with a 45-10 Holiday Bowl
victory over Texas A&M
, a No. 14 ranking, and an overall 10-3 record. The Bears were also co-champions of the Pac-10 for the first time since 1975. Following the season, Tedford signed a contract extension through 2013, which raised his base salary to $1.8 million per year and included significant performance and retention bonuses.
The 2007
campaign saw the Bears jump out to a 5–0 start and a No. 2 national ranking, Cal's highest since 1951. However, this was followed by losses in six of the seven final regular season games, including Tedford's first losses as head coach to Washington and Stanford to end the regular season. During the losing streak, Tedford's play-calling was the subject of criticism. Nevertheless, Cal was invited to a fifth straight bowl game for the first time in program history. Cal defeated Air Force
42-36 in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl
, giving Tedford and Cal a sixth-straight winning season.
Tedford declared there would be open competition for all positions on the team in 2008. In early January, Tedford reorganized his coaching staff, most notably hiring Frank Cignetti
as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Tedford said he would give some of the play calling responsibility to Cignetti so he could spend more time with special teams and defensive players. He named Kevin Riley
his starter for the opening game of the 2008 season, but inconsistent play and injury to Riley led him to vacillate between Riley and senior Nate Longshore
as the starter for parts of the season. However, with a much improved defense in place, Tedford led the Bears to a 9-4 overall record and a perfect 7-0 record at home. Cal accepted an invitation to play in the 2008 Emerald Bowl
, the program's sixth-straight bowl appearance, where they defeated Miami
, 24-17. After the season, Tedford agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2015.
In 2009, the Bears went 8-5 and earned an invitation to the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl
, which they lost to Utah
, snapping a four game bowl winning streak that dated back to 2004. The team also did not produce a 1,000 yard rusher for the first time since 2002.
The 2010 season saw Tedford surpass the legendary Pappy Waldorf
to become the Cal head coach with the most career victories with a victory over UC Davis
in the first game of the 2010 season
. Despite early successes however, the team had an inconsistent season. The Bears had only one road victory, lost the Stanford Axe to archrival Stanford
in a 48-14 blowout, and ended the season with a three-game losing streak to finish 5-7, Tedford's first losing season and the team's first losing season since 2001. Cal was ranked only once during the season with a No. 24 spot in the Coaches' Poll. One bright spot for the season was running back Shane Vereen
going over the 1,000 rushing yard mark, as he finished with 1,167 yards.
Tedford became Cal's all-time leader in victories with the third win of the 2011 season to surpass Andy Smith
with 75 wins.
and Aaron Rodgers
. Dilfer won Super Bowl XXXV
with the Baltimore Ravens
. Rodgers passed for over 4,000 yards in his first two full-time seasons after waiting on the bench behind Brett Favre
for three seasons and led the Green Bay Packers
to a championship in Super Bowl XLV
. Rodgers was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2009.
There were several disappointments, including Dilfer (who, despite winning a Super Bowl with the defensively-oriented Ravens was never regarded as an elite NFL quarterback, finishing his career with more interceptions than touchdowns), Joey Harrington, Akili Smith, David Carr, and Kyle Boller, none of whom ever lived up to their first round pedigree and all of whom eventually moved on from the teams which originally drafted them.
Tedford coached each of the following first round NFL draft
picks at the quarterback position:
Tedford also coached Billy Volek
, a backup quarterback for the San Diego Chargers
, and A.J. Feeley
, a backup quarterback for the St. Louis Rams
.
Though known primarily for his quarterbacks, Tedford, along with running backs coach Ron Gould, produced seven 1000-yard rushers during his tenure at Cal.
. They have two sons, Taylor and Quinn. Both attend Cal, where Quinn is a wide receiver on the football team.
. He is second winningest California Coach in the Big Game, behind Pappy Waldorf's 7-1-2 record.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach and the current head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the California Golden Bears football
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
team, a position he has held since 2002. As a first-time head coach, Tedford has won wide acclaim for revitalizing the Cal football program. Tedford currently has the most career victories of any Cal head coach, which was accomplished during the 2011 season
2011 California Golden Bears football team
The 2011 California Golden Bears football team represents the University of California, Berkeley in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
. He is the highest paid state employee of California as of 2010. http://www.sacbee.com/statepay/
Early life
Tedford was born in Lynwood, CaliforniaLynwood, California
Lynwood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 69,772, down from 69,845 at the 2000 census. Lynwood is located near South Gate and Compton in the southern portion of the Los Angeles Basin. Incorporated in...
the youngest of five children to Joe and Betty Tedford. Tedford's parents divorced before he turned 10. His brother Dennis, 10 years his senior, helped raise Tedford, taking him on camping trips and driving him to football practice and games. Tedford attended Warren High School
Warren High School (Downey, California)
Warren High School, formerly Earl Warren Senior High School, is a public secondary school located in Downey, California . Warren High School enrolls students in grades 9-12 and is a part of the Downey Unified School District.-History:...
in Downey, California
Downey, California
Downey is a city located in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city is best known as the birthplace of the Apollo space program, and is the city where folk singer Karen Carpenter lived and died...
, where he was a letterman in football, playing quarterback and earning an All-League selection. Tedford graduated from Warren High School in 1979.
College
After high school, Tedford enrolled at Cerritos CollegeCerritos College
Cerritos College is a public comprehensive community college founded in 1955 located in Norwalk, California. It was named after Rancho Los Cerritos, a ranch that served prominently in the region in the 19th century...
, becoming the first member of his family to attend college. He spent two years playing quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
at Cerritos followed by two years at Fresno State
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
, where he established several passing records, including career marks for passing yardage (4,872) and touchdown passes (35). As a senior, Tedford led the Bulldogs to a Pacific Coast Athletic Association
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
conference championship and a last-second, 29-28 come-from-behind victory in the 1982 California Bowl
California Bowl
The California Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played annually at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1981 to 1991. The games matched the championship teams from the Big West Conference with teams from the Mid-American Conference...
.
After graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in physical education in 1983, Tedford played professionally in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL) for six seasons with Hamilton
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
, Calgary
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
, and Winnipeg
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
.
Early coaching career
After retiring as a player, Tedford became a volunteer assistant coach at Fresno State (1987–1988) under his former coach Jim SweeneyJim Sweeney (coach)
Jim Sweeney is a former American football coach. He served as the head coach at Montana State University , Washington State University , and California State University, Fresno . Sweeney's 143 wins as the head coach at Fresno State are the most in the history of the program...
. He then coached as an offensive assistant for the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
in the CFL (1989–1991); returned to Fresno State as quarterback coach (1992); was promoted to offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
at Fresno State (1993–1997); and worked as offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
(1998–2001). During his time at Oregon, the Ducks notched a Pac-10-best record of 38–10 while finishing progressively better each year (8–4 in 1998, 9–3 in 1999, 10–2 in 2000 and 11–1 in 2001).
Cal
After previous Cal coach Tom HolmoeTom Holmoe
Thomas Allen Holmoe is the current athletic director at Brigham Young University. He is a former college and professional American football defensive back and coach.-College:...
resigned from his post amid a 1–10 season in 2001, worst in Cal's history, then athletic director Steve Gladstone
Steve Gladstone
Stephen C. Gladstone, or Steve Gladstone as he is better known, is one of the premier rowing coaches in the United States. He currently coaches at Yale University...
hired Tedford to become Cal's 32nd head football coach. Tedford inherited a program that had not had a winning season since 1993 and had only won 29 games on the field since then, including only 18 wins in Pac-10 play.
During his time at Cal, Tedford has become known for his work ethic, often working late hours in his office and sleeping on an air mattress. In evidence of his turnaround of the Cal program, season ticket sales jumped from 16,200 in 2002 to 41,336 in 2007, setting new records each year from 2004 through 2007.
In Tedford's first season (2002), he led the Golden Bears to a 7–5 record, their first winning football season since 1993, the nation's biggest turnaround of the year, and was named Pac-10 coach of the year. The Bears ended a 19-game losing streak to Washington
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
and a seven-game losing streak to arch rival Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
in the Big Game
Big Game (football)
The Big Game is an American college football rivalry game played by the California Golden Bears football team of the University of California, Berkeley and the Stanford Cardinal football team of Stanford University. It is typically played in late November or early December...
. Despite their resurgence, the Bears didn't go to a bowl due to NCAA sanctions for academic fraud that were handed down shortly before Tedford took over.
After the season, Tedford signed a five-year contract through 2007 to replace his original four-year contract, which ran through 2005.
In the 2003 season, Tedford's record of 8–6 included the upset of eventual national co-champion University of Southern California in triple overtime, as well as a 52–49 shootout victory against Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
in the 2003 Insight Bowl
2003 Insight Bowl
The 2003 Insight Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game between the and the at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona on December 26, 2003. The game was the final contest of the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 52–49 victory for California...
. The Bears won 5 of their last 6 games.
2004 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with several undefeated teams vying for a spot in the national title game, triggering controversy. In the 2003 season, no team finished the regular season unbeaten, and five teams finished the season with one loss...
, the Bears finished with a No. 9 national ranking in both the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
with a 10–2 record, losing to Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in the Holiday Bowl
2004 Holiday Bowl
The 2004 Holiday Bowl was the third bowl game played of the 2004-2005 bowl season on December 30, 2004. The game was held at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, pitting the Pac-10's and the Big 12's Texas Tech Red Raiders...
. Tedford was named Pac-10 coach of the year for a second time. The team was undefeated at home, notched the fifth 10-win season in school history (and first since 1949). Since Pac-10 champion USC had earned a berth in the BCS national title game, it initially looked like the Bears, as runners-up, had the inside track to the Pac-10's berth in the Rose Bowl--which would have been their first appearance in that game since 1960. However, after heavy lobbying by Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
coach Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
, Texas received enough votes to edge past Cal in the final BCS standings, giving them a berth in the Rose Bowl--an event that still rankles many Bears fans and players to this day.
Following the regular season, Tedford signed an extension of his contract through 2009, which nearly doubled his base salary to $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.5 million per year; in the deal he also had the pay of his assistant coaches raised significantly.
2005 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the least amount of controversy surrounding the Bowl Championship Series title game in many years.To an extent it was a return to classic football...
, the Bears finished with a No. 25 national ranking in both the AP Poll and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll with an 8-4 record. Cal rose as high as No. 10 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll in week 6 before losing to UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
47-40. They beat BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl
Las Vegas Bowl
The Maaco Bowl Las Vegas is an NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A post-season college football bowl game that has been played annually at 40,000-seat Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. since 1992. From 1992 to 1996, matchups featured the champion teams from the Big West and Mid-American...
, 35-28.
In 2006
2006 California Golden Bears football team
The 2006 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2006-2007 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and were coached by Jeff Tedford....
, the Bears recorded an eight-game win-streak, including five straight games scoring 40 or more points, rising as high as No. 8 in the AP poll, and remaining undefeated at home. The Bears finished the season with a 45-10 Holiday Bowl
Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A college football bowl game that has been played annually at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, since 1978. Beginning with the 2010 playing the bowl will officially be known as the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl after...
victory over Texas A&M
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, a No. 14 ranking, and an overall 10-3 record. The Bears were also co-champions of the Pac-10 for the first time since 1975. Following the season, Tedford signed a contract extension through 2013, which raised his base salary to $1.8 million per year and included significant performance and retention bonuses.
The 2007
2007 California Golden Bears football team
The 2007 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2007-2008 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and were coached by Jeff Tedford....
campaign saw the Bears jump out to a 5–0 start and a No. 2 national ranking, Cal's highest since 1951. However, this was followed by losses in six of the seven final regular season games, including Tedford's first losses as head coach to Washington and Stanford to end the regular season. During the losing streak, Tedford's play-calling was the subject of criticism. Nevertheless, Cal was invited to a fifth straight bowl game for the first time in program history. Cal defeated Air Force
2007 Air Force Falcons football team
The 2007 United States Air Force Academy Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the college football season of 2007–2008, getting second place in the Mountain West Conference, and losing the Armed Forces Bowl to California...
42-36 in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl
2007 Armed Forces Bowl
The 2007 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on December 31, 2007, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, USA...
, giving Tedford and Cal a sixth-straight winning season.
Tedford declared there would be open competition for all positions on the team in 2008. In early January, Tedford reorganized his coaching staff, most notably hiring Frank Cignetti
Frank Cignetti (quarterbacks coach)
Frank Cignetti is an American football coach who is currently the offensive coordinator of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.- Career :...
as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Tedford said he would give some of the play calling responsibility to Cignetti so he could spend more time with special teams and defensive players. He named Kevin Riley
Kevin Riley
Kevin Riley is a former American football quarterback for the California Golden Bears. He played for California from 2007-2010.-High school:...
his starter for the opening game of the 2008 season, but inconsistent play and injury to Riley led him to vacillate between Riley and senior Nate Longshore
Nate Longshore
Nate Longshore is an arena football quarterback for the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League. He played collegiately at California, where he was a three year starter and led the Golden Bears to a share of the Pac-10 title in 2006.-High school:Longshore graduated from Canyon High School...
as the starter for parts of the season. However, with a much improved defense in place, Tedford led the Bears to a 9-4 overall record and a perfect 7-0 record at home. Cal accepted an invitation to play in the 2008 Emerald Bowl
2008 Emerald Bowl
The 2008 Emerald Bowl, part of the 2008-09 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on December 27, 2008 at AT&T Park, the home field of the Giants in San Francisco, California...
, the program's sixth-straight bowl appearance, where they defeated Miami
2008 Miami Hurricanes football team
-Roster changes:University of Miami safety Kenny Phillips and defensive end Calais Campbell made the decision to forgo their senior years and declare for the NFL Draft. Phillips was drafted in the first round, No. 31 overall by the New York Giants. Campbell was drafted in the second round, No. 50...
, 24-17. After the season, Tedford agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2015.
In 2009, the Bears went 8-5 and earned an invitation to the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl
2009 Poinsettia Bowl
The 2009 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl was the fifth edition of the college football bowl game and was played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The game started at 5 PM US PST on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 on ESPN. The Utah Utes defeated the California Golden Bears...
, which they lost to Utah
2009 Utah Utes football team
The 2009 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team, coached by 5th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, played its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah....
, snapping a four game bowl winning streak that dated back to 2004. The team also did not produce a 1,000 yard rusher for the first time since 2002.
The 2010 season saw Tedford surpass the legendary Pappy Waldorf
Pappy Waldorf
Lynn Osbert "Pappy" Waldorf was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, now Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, , Kansas State University , Northwestern University , and the University of California, Berkeley ,...
to become the Cal head coach with the most career victories with a victory over UC Davis
UC Davis Aggies
The UC Davis Aggies compete in NCAA Division I sports in the Big West Conference. For football, the Aggies compete in Division I FCS , and are members of the Great West Conference, granting UC Davis the distinction of being one of only three UC campuses to field a football team...
in the first game of the 2010 season
2010 California Golden Bears football team
The 2010 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition in the 2010 season...
. Despite early successes however, the team had an inconsistent season. The Bears had only one road victory, lost the Stanford Axe to archrival Stanford
2010 Stanford Cardinal football team
The 2010 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Cardinal were led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was in his 4th and final season before leaving to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers...
in a 48-14 blowout, and ended the season with a three-game losing streak to finish 5-7, Tedford's first losing season and the team's first losing season since 2001. Cal was ranked only once during the season with a No. 24 spot in the Coaches' Poll. One bright spot for the season was running back Shane Vereen
Shane Vereen
Shane Patrick-Henry Vereen is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted 56th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at California.-Early years:...
going over the 1,000 rushing yard mark, as he finished with 1,167 yards.
Tedford became Cal's all-time leader in victories with the third win of the 2011 season to surpass Andy Smith
Andy Smith (coach)
Andrew Latham "Andy" Smith was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Pennsylvania , Purdue University , and the University of California, Berkeley , compiling a career college football record of 116–32–13...
with 75 wins.
Tedford's quarterbacks
Tedford is known as a groomer of quarterbacks. Two of his pupils have achieved the highest success in the NFL: Super Bowl champions Trent DilferTrent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer is a former football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football...
and Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
. Dilfer won Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV was played on January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 2000 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Baltimore Ravens defeated the National Football Conference champion New York...
with the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. Rodgers passed for over 4,000 yards in his first two full-time seasons after waiting on the bench behind Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
for three seasons and led the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
to a championship in Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League champion for the 2010 season. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in...
. Rodgers was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2009.
There were several disappointments, including Dilfer (who, despite winning a Super Bowl with the defensively-oriented Ravens was never regarded as an elite NFL quarterback, finishing his career with more interceptions than touchdowns), Joey Harrington, Akili Smith, David Carr, and Kyle Boller, none of whom ever lived up to their first round pedigree and all of whom eventually moved on from the teams which originally drafted them.
Tedford coached each of the following first round NFL draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
picks at the quarterback position:
- Fresno StateCalifornia State University, FresnoCalifornia State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
- Trent DilferTrent DilferTrent Farris Dilfer is a former football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football...
6th overall 1994, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... - David CarrDavid CarrDavid Duke Carr is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
1st overall 2002, Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Trent Dilfer
- OregonUniversity of Oregon-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
- Akili SmithAkili SmithKabisa Akili Maradufu Smith is a former professional American and Canadian football quarterback. He was selected in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, the third quarterback in the first three choices, behind Tim Couch , and Donovan McNabb...
3rd overall 1999, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Joey HarringtonJoey HarringtonJohn Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986...
3rd overall 2002, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
- Akili Smith
- CaliforniaCalifornia Golden BearsThe California Golden Bears is the nickname used for 29 varsity athletic programs and various club teams of the University of California, Berkeley...
- Kyle BollerKyle BollerKyle Bryan Boller is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at The University of California.Boller has also played for the St...
19th overall 2003, Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Aaron RodgersAaron RodgersAaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
24th overall 2005, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
- Kyle Boller
Tedford also coached Billy Volek
Billy Volek
John William Volek is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He played college football at Fresno State.-Early years:Volek attended Clovis West High School in...
, a backup quarterback for the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and A.J. Feeley
A.J. Feeley
Adam Joshua Feeley is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, a backup quarterback for the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
.
Tedford's running backs
- 2002: Joe Igber (1,130 yards)
- 2003: Adimchinobi Echemandu (1,195 yards)
- 2004: J. J. Arrington (2,018 yards)
- 2005: Marshawn LynchMarshawn LynchMarshawn Terrell Lynch is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, Lynch became the Bills' first 1,000-yard rookie rusher since Greg Bell in 1984...
(1,246 yards) - 2006: Marshawn LynchMarshawn LynchMarshawn Terrell Lynch is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, Lynch became the Bills' first 1,000-yard rookie rusher since Greg Bell in 1984...
(1,356 yards) - 2007: Justin ForsettJustin ForsettJustin Forsett is an American football running back and punt returner for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at California.-Early years:Forsett was born in Lakeland, Florida...
(1,546 yards) - 2008: Jahvid BestJahvid BestJahvid Andre Best is a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was selected by the Lions with the 30th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In college, he played for the California Golden Bears, setting several records, including most all-purpose yards in a single season and...
(1,580 yards) - 2010: Shane VereenShane VereenShane Patrick-Henry Vereen is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted 56th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at California.-Early years:...
(1,167 yards)
Personal
Tedford lives with his wife Donna in Danville, CaliforniaDanville, California
The Town of Danville is located in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County, California. It is one of the incorporated municipalities in California that uses "town" in its name instead of "city". The population was 42,039 in 2010. Danville is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Oakland and San...
. They have two sons, Taylor and Quinn. Both attend Cal, where Quinn is a wide receiver on the football team.
Head coaching record
Before his arrival, Cal had not possessed the Stanford Axe in 7 years but he won it back for the Golden Bears in his first attempt. After the 2010 season, he holds a 7-2 record in the Big GameBig Game (football)
The Big Game is an American college football rivalry game played by the California Golden Bears football team of the University of California, Berkeley and the Stanford Cardinal football team of Stanford University. It is typically played in late November or early December...
. He is second winningest California Coach in the Big Game, behind Pappy Waldorf's 7-1-2 record.