November 28, 2007
Should Tedford be on Michigan's radar?
While much of the Michigan coaching search has centered around "Michigan Men" - those coveted alumni who have stood on the Wolverine sidelines - Micheale Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press wonders if UM is putting too much emphasis on pedigree, and not enough attention on resume.
His suggestion is to hire Cal head coach Jeff Tedford, and he makes a damn good point.
Ask yourself this: Who will scare the people in Columbus?See, Ohio State fans don't care if Michigan's coach attended Michigan. They don't care if he has a favorite sandwich at Zingerman's. They just care if he can coach.
If I were a Buckeyes fan, I'd worry more about Jeff Tedford than about Les Miles. Tedford's accomplishments at California are more impressive than what Miles did at either Oklahoma State or Louisiana State.
In the 21 years before Tedford arrived, Cal had four winning seasons. The Golden Bears were 4-18 over the previous two seasons.
Tedford has put together five straight winning seasons, and he can make it six by beating Stanford on Saturday.
Imagine what he could do in Ann Arbor.
I can't begin to speak for Michigan fans, but -- if it were my team -- having a UM pedigree would be a luxury, just slightly akin to dating a rich supermodel. (Rich... poor... she's still a supermodel, right?)
While Miles has certainly garnered a reputation as having the biggest sack in college football, it would be difficult to say that his teams have consistently lived up to their reputations. The mere fact that some LSU fans are more than willing to see Miles leave should speak volumes to Michigan fans.
Rosenberg's right - Tedford recrutis well, graduates his players, and puts kids into the NFL... at a school that lacks a distinguished football reputation... in one of the nation's top conferences.
Let's rephrase that and see if Michigan fans like it any better......
The head coach at Michigan recrutis well, graduates his players, and puts kids into the NFL... at a school that lacks a distinguished football reputation... in one of the nation's top conferences.
Pretty good, right Big Blue? Heck, Tedford already has a closet full of the right colors.
Michigan needs to decide (quickly) where their priorities lie... do they want the best coach... or do they want the best UM alum?
Comments:
schmed said:
posted on November 28, 2007 10:05 AM — 63.241.223.4 — link — abuse?
Take that with a grain of salt. This is the second time LSU fans have been through this in 3 years.
NFL speculation swirled for 2 years with Saban which culminated in him dragging up. At that point, his motivation seemed reasonable, but it roiled the fan base nonetheless.
Now Miles has the speculation swirling, and *his* motivation seams reasonable if not compelling. The uncertainty can be tough to deal with, and some sense that if he doesn't go this time and Ferentz/Tedford/Zook flops, it's all back on the griddle again.
Spartacus
posted on November 28, 2007 10:10 AM — 72.25.84.228 — link — abuse?
said:
Kevin:
I agree that all over the field that that would be the case. I wouldn't expect for Cal to really ever win. But seriously, the QB's that Cal has brought in just cannot cut it under any kind of pressure. I was very impressed with that OL this year. The Trojans couldn't get close to Longshore. Still, Longshore couldn't find an open receiver (albeit it was a driving rainstorm). Still, those receivers are pretty good on bad teams, but can't play worth a lick against tougher opposition. That is my only complaint. Cal never seems to rise to the occasion. Last years win over TAM in the Bowl game was the 1st time I have ever seen Cal "step up" and represent the conference well. Other than that game - they almost always collapse. That's on the coach in my opinion. But, your point is valid, and Tedford might be able to do much better with more talent all over the field.
Tommie Trojan
Spartacus
posted on November 28, 2007 10:26 AM — 72.25.84.228 — link — abuse? said:
Kevin:
I will give Tedford this: the scariest player (other than Vince Young), that I can remember, was Aaron Rodgers at California. I don't think that Tedford recruited this guy though. But, I do think that he developed him. That guy was frightening. In that triple OT defeat - Rodgers completed something like 22 straight passes at one time. And, that was against a tremendous Trojan defense. Also, Justin Forsett was about the scariest RB that I have seen in this last game. That guy rolled for about a $1.64 on a defense that nobody runs against. The linebacker, Desmond Bishop from last year, was also a very good player that Tedford did develope. So, maybe he does do well with talent. I'm just a little concerned about what he might "game plan" for an Ohio State for instance. But for Tedford to move to Michigan? It's a no brainer. Tedford should go. He'll never recruit with USC in the PAC and Carroll will outcoach him every time. Tressel may do the same, but, Tedford can't get any more outcoached than Carr was.
Tommie Trojan
teddyford6 said:
posted on November 28, 2007 10:28 AM — 69.106.248.83 — link — abuse?
First of all I want to point out that Tedford win big games.
He beat the likely 2007 SEC champs, the Tennessee Volunteers.
But there are some problems:
1) Tedford's players gave up on him - literally! - during Cal's last loss to Washington. Too bad you didn't see it (because of ABC regionalization), but it was truly a pathetic effort, especially for a team that was ranked No. 2 in the nation.
READ THIS ARTICLE: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_7498629
2) Tedford is too much like Lloyd Carr. In fact, they have nearly identitical records over the past four years.
Carr: 35-14
Tedford: 34-143) Tedford, like Carr, has only beaten the big guy in the league (USC) once in the past six years.
The losses are always close, of course, but Tedford manages to find a way to lose. This year's game, for instance, was only decided by a touchdown.
4) Tedford is way too conservative. Michigan fans would become really pissed off at him for running the ball, when the ball can't be run. He was also way too loyal to Nate Longshore when Longshore could hardly walk, and we had a really good backup sitting on the bench.
READ THIS ARTICLE from today's San Jose Mercury News complaining that Tedford *NEEDS* to learn from Jim Harbaugh.
Spartacus
posted on November 28, 2007 10:37 AM — 72.25.84.228 — link — abuse? said:
teddyford6:
I simply didn't address the Tennessee win because I don't consider that an early season game is "a Big game". Just to me that would be a must win game. Although, it certainly was a great win. Now, here's my question. Cal started off like gangbusters, ascended to #2 in the country, and completely collapsed. What happened? There didn't appear to be an inordinate amount of injuries. Certainly USC had more injuries, to better players, than Cal ever did. So, how did that team totally come apart?
Tommie Trojan
teddyford6 said:
posted on November 28, 2007 11:31 AM — 69.106.248.83 — link — abuse?
How did Cal collapse?
Well, as you probably know, redshirt freshman backup QB Kevin Riley lost the Oregon State game with that boneheaded move at the end of the game. But before that, Riley was playing really well. In fact, Cal wouldn't have been in a position for a come from behind victory without him.
That was the last time we ever saw Riley on the field. It's like he vanished.
The following week (vs. UCLA) Tedford started an immobile one-legged Longshore, who couldn't step into his throws and threw a bunch of picks in the 4th quarter.
Same thing happened the next week, at Arizona State.
Same thing happened vs. the week after that, vs. Washington State, but we (barely) won that game so it didn't matter.
Every TV commentator calling our game would say how hurt Longshore looked and how his mechanics were off because of the injury.
Yet Tedford refused to put in the backup.
Longshore in fact has thrown 1 TD and 11 interceptions in the 4th quarter.
So that was one reason for the collapse: Tedford was too loyal to Longshore.
Another reason: Our bend don't break defense sucks, and the offense couldn't score more than 20 points a game to cover up for that.
Another another reason: Tedford ran Justin Forsett too much. He got 82% of the carries this year (which is way more than Marshawn Lynch and J.J. Arrington got as starters).Yes, Forsett is good. But not in goal line situations. He was always stuffed, but Tedford refused to use other (bigger) backs or call more creative plays.
Also: While Pete Carroll is willing to abandon the run vs. Michigan at the Rose Bowl, Tedford kept trying to run the ball vs. UCLA even though UCLA's run D was stuffing Forsett at every try.
During the UCLA game, Cal fans could easily predict what was coming up -- run, run, pass, followed by run, run, pass.
Spartacus
posted on November 28, 2007 12:27 PM — 72.25.84.228 — link — abuse? said:
teddyford6:
Well, that pretty much answers my question. I only got to watch the Oregon and USC games - I think. Cal looked fairly decent in both games. But, Longshore is way overrated IMO. Funny, even though most coaches are overly loyal to the QB, Tedford had no problem replacing Aboob with that fullback at QB. That was really a slap in the face of Aboob. So, I have heard from other sources that Riley looks real good (we heard that of Longshore also), then why the great loyalty to Longshore - who clearly can't ever finish the job?
Tommie Trojan
teddyford6 said:
posted on November 28, 2007 1:12 PM — 69.106.248.83 — link — abuse?
Spartacus:
Yes, going with the fullback (who was actually recruited as a QB but switched to get on the field) was a slap in the face at Ayoob.
But did you not see Ayoob at the USC game 2 years ago? He literally crumbled under all the pressure. It actually was more like a humanitarian thing to do pull him.
As for QBs, Cal needs somebody who, unlike Longhsore, is decently mobile. Not Dennis Dixon, but somebody who can buy time. Riley is that guy.
We also have a mobile QB/Texas-bred/freshman redshirting this year by the great name of Brock Mansion. Can't wait to see him play.
http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mansion_brock00.html
M GO BLUE said:
posted on November 28, 2007 3:22 PM — 216.46.209.40 — link — abuse?
Jerry Moore.......head coach at Appalachian state........163-70 in 19 seasons at Appalachian state........
Actually i would not like to see him on the Michigan sideline.....ever......beat Michigan and then lose to Wofford????? and Georgia southern??????
We are too predictable at Michigan.....we need some life in our team......we need to use the pass more.......we need a modern coach.......and if we don't get a modern coach.......then we need a modern AD.
Spartacus
posted on November 28, 2007 6:09 PM — 72.25.84.228 — link — abuse? said:
M GO BLUE:
That would be like USC hiring Karl Dorrall because he beat us once. No, I think Michigan might be able to do a little better. I'm thinkin' Lane Kiffin. He's got about 15 minutes left in Oakland I think. He'd be real smart to inquire on this job before Al sacks his azz. Stranger things have happened.
Tommie Trojan
M GO BLUE said:
posted on November 30, 2007 1:45 PM — 216.46.213.101 — link — abuse?
Our coach wore a bear skin, and carried a club...........
Porky.......I will hate Michigan all i want, thank you very much.
We had forth year starter's at QB.....and RB.....and we sill managed to score 7 points against Oregon, and a disgusting 3 points against Ohio State.......we lost to Appalachian state........yeah....i will be as critical of Michigan, as i feel like.
Rulon U. Bears said:
posted on November 30, 2007 9:33 PM — 76.103.87.152 — link — abuse?
Tedford will be back next year. If he doesn't get a phenomenal offer from a pro team, I don't see him leaving Cal anytime soon.
At this point though, as a Golden Bear fan, the biggest thing to look forward to is better luck next season. However, short of that, I'm looking forward to the Bears spanking the 'Furd so hard they'll WISH they were losing to UC Davis again.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch (you didn't think I would say the Farm, did you?), a great pre-Big Game Top 10 list was posted today. Check it out:
http://sportsbythebay.com/blog/2007/11/30/i-hate-stanford/GO BEARS!!!
Spartacus
posted on December 3, 2007 4:56 PM — 72.25.84.228 — link — abuse? said:
Kevin:
Still think Tedford is the guy Michigan should have their sites set on? How bout that guy, what's his name, over there at Stanford? Coach of the year in the PAC-10? No question! Beats USC and Cal during his 1st year at Stanford. Amazing! Maybe Michigan better learn to forgive and forget before this guy ends up in the Rose Bowl and begins kickin' that Michigan azz! Now, that would really be embarrassing!
Tommie Trojan
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Spartacus
said:
posted on November 28, 2007 9:49 AM — 72.25.84.228 — link — abuse?Cal is not scary to USC. They got one lucky win in three OT's under Tedford. My opinion of Tedford is not much. The guy recruits real good players - but can't seem to understand what to do with them in big games. He is not a big game coach. I don't think he actually coaches at all. I think that he recruits players and just sends them out onto the field. I have told people time and again how USC will shut down DeSean Jackson. And every time, just like clockwork, Jackson is taken out of the game. Tedford also does a bad job of evaluating QB's. Longshore and Ayoob were both weak QB's who could not stand up under pressure. He brings in great LB's, RB's and receivers and that is about it. You can't rely on just those three positions. Bottom line: California is not scary at all. UCLA is much more unpredictable than Cal is. Michigan would do better to hire Karl Dorrall.
Tommie Trojan