...I can't put my finger on it, but something more than just the Wins and Losses are impacting JT.

- He's not watching the same game every one else is watching

- The personnel decisions are baffling to the point of being indefensible

- He elects to punt while down by 10 with under 6 minutes to go, knowing full well that Cal's D hadn't been able to get off the field for most of the game

- He's wearing that massive windbreaker on yet another hot day -- it had to be 85-90 degrees down on that artificial rug at kickoff, and he's staring into that sun wearing his 'Members Only' tribute to Delta Burke

- He's saying things like "Tough times don't last, tough people do." What the hell? That's not motivational. I look forward to next week's motivational lesson: "There's no 'I' in TEAM."

These decisions and comments indicate a disconnection from reality. I'm really starting to wonder if his health is an issue -- he's not right.

BearBoarBlarney;841965763 said:

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...I can't put my finger on it, but something more than just the Wins and Losses are impacting JT.

- He's not watching the same game every one else is watching

- The personnel decisions are baffling to the point of being indefensible

- He elects to punt while down by 10 with under 6 minutes to go, knowing full well that Cal's D hadn't been able to get off the field for most of the game

- He's wearing that massive windbreaker on yet another hot day -- it had to be 85-90 degrees down on that artificial rug at kickoff, and he's staring into that sun wearing his 'Members Only' tribute to Delta Burke

- He's saying things like "Tough times don't last, tough people do." What the hell? That's not motivational. I look forward to next week's motivational lesson: "There's no 'I' in TEAM."

These decisions and comments indicate a disconnection from reality. I'm really starting to wonder if his health is an issue -- he's not right.

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What we've all been saying this for awhile. Screw loose/ blinded by his own stubborness

davetdds;841965772 said:

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What we've all been saying this for awhile. Screw loose/ blinded by his own stubborness

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Blinded by the light. Wrapped up like a douche, another runner in the night.

Honestly what if he is seriously ill? I wonder......the windbreaker thing is actually pretty darn strange.

KoreAmBear;841965796 said:

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Blinded by the light. Wrapped up in a douche, another runner in the night.

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For years, I really did think they said 'douche' in that song. Only when the interwebs came into being did I realize it was "revved up like a deuce."

That said, I like KoreAm's interpretation better.

I always though JT should have taken a sabbatical for a season anywhere from '09 to '11.
He just seems burnt out.

socaltownie;841965805 said:

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Honestly what if he is seriously ill? I wonder......the windbreaker thing is actually pretty darn strange.

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I agree with the general premise and have speculated on other potential explanations. Something has to be going on to explain this behavior, we just don't know what it is. (And IMHO the off the cuff 'screw loose' comments aren't helpful. This isn't directed at the person who said it in this thread, others have made similar statements. Even if true, then this is a pretty cold reaction to a legitimate mental health problem).

Speaking of which, anyone going to see Springsteen at Oracle on Nov. 30?

socaltownie;841965805 said:

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Honestly what if he is seriously ill? I wonder......the windbreaker thing is actually pretty darn strange.

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The same thought has crossed my mind more than once.

You would think he would see doctors regularly. We even have team physicians.

If he is facing a health challenge, I would think being open about it would buy him some slack?

We didn't know about Monty's recent cancer until after his surgery--but it might have explained past lack of energy for recruiting in the off-season.

Here's a horrible thought--If Tedford were to step down for medical reasons, would he forfeit his contract? Maybe he really is (consciously or unconsciously) trying to get fired?

I truly hope he is well and wish him the best. I hope a lightbulb goes off and he turns this around THIS week.

socaltownie;841965805 said:

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Honestly what if he is seriously ill? I wonder......the windbreaker thing is actually pretty darn strange.

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One possibility is he's trying to lose his post-pregs weight in the midsection, sweating the pounds away. Problem is he gets so exhausted and dehydrated that his decision-making and will to win still winnable games is gone with 10 minutes left in games (see his playcalls vs Cheaters & ASSU in respective 4th quarters). He did not physically sound & look good at all this weekend in the post-game interviews.

JT's weight gain suggests something is up. If JT's buddy Urban had issues about health and quit a few times, the idea that something is up isn't hard to imagine. Won't even comment on what because that's a disservice to everyone.

That said, I think I have a little insight -- post project depression/recovery, plus the normal job pressure. Even if he wasn't leading the project, obviously he was in the middle.

I'm pretty sure others have experienced this at work or at home, I have. I lived through a home renovation and it damaged my marriage. The only thing going for me was relative youth and recovery time.

I've also been on big projects at work and the stress is real and unhealthy. The bigger and hairier the project is, the bigger the possible fall out. CMS and SAHPC had added and very public weirdness. On top of that, it's pretty clear Tedford is a work-a-holic. Overall, that's not a great combo.

A lot of Cal fans will dislike this but I see this: Tedford risked his career on the renovation and now the outcome is here. Either he was naive about how external stuff works or he REALLY wanted the upgrades and was willing to fight. This doesn't change the current status of the program but puts it in perspective. This is why I'll never be harsh on Tedford, even as I see the writing on the wall and hate losing.

Tedford went for it and the pay off will be big in the long run.

He's just getting tired/fatigued... he needs to pull an Urban and take a year or two off... since 2007 he's lost some of his confidence and it's just slowly been eating away at him.

Agreed. Working 100+ hour weeks are for newly minted undergrad wannabe I-banker types. They have the energy and physical stamina to put up with those crazy hours...and usually it's only for a few years. To be keeping this up over the past decade is crazy. Tedford needs to take some time and kick it for a while....reminisce with his drinking buddies the good old times at CAL!

Very strange. There seems to be a lot of sympathy for this hypothetical health issue that Tedford is presumed to have. How about this, if it turns out that he does have health issues, then he gets my sympathy. Until then, he only gets my exasperation for his inexplicable coaching decisions.

beelzebear;841965869 said:

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Tedford risked his career on the renovation and now the outcome is here. Either he was naive about how external stuff works or he REALLY wanted the upgrades and was willing to fight. This doesn't change the current status of the program but puts it in perspective. This is why I'll never be harsh on Tedford, even as I see the writing on the wall and hate losing.

Tedford went for it and the pay off will be big in the long run.

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I have to agree with you on this. Not that we owe him anything. But from that perspective the buy-out almost seems fair. Think about his retention and how important it was during all the issues with the facilities upgrades. Do you know anyone else who would have stuck it out for any less?

ducktilldeath;841966041 said:

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I think there are some legitimate questions about his mental/physical health. The entire Maynard tutoring benching fiasco was a very troubling indicator about where his head is(or isn't).

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Funny, with so many other bizarre/inexplicable decisions since then, I almost forgot about that.

RighteousGoldenBear;841965888 said:

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Agreed. Working 100+ hour weeks are for newly minted undergrad wannabe I-banker types. They have the energy and physical stamina to put up with those crazy hours...and usually it's only for a few years. To be keeping this up over the past decade is crazy. Tedford needs to take some time and kick it for a while....reminisce with his drinking buddies the good old times at CAL!

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Having spent the last 7 years of my life working 100+ hour weeks ... I totally agree. At some point you have to cash out and focus on your life. If Tedford does have health issues ... moving on would probably be good for him. If Tedford doesn't have health issues ... moving on would still probably be good for him.

Tedford's gone from near homeless / living in a warehouse (or whatever) when he was younger to having millions. Being a workaholic was a big part of the journey ... but at some point you have to turn it off and enjoy your life.

BearBoarBlarney;841965763 said:

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...I can't put my finger on it, but something more than just the Wins and Losses are impacting JT.

- He's not watching the same game every one else is watching

- The personnel decisions are baffling to the point of being indefensible

- He elects to punt while down by 10 with under 6 minutes to go, knowing full well that Cal's D hadn't been able to get off the field for most of the game

- He's wearing that massive windbreaker on yet another hot day -- it had to be 85-90 degrees down on that artificial rug at kickoff, and he's staring into that sun wearing his 'Members Only' tribute to Delta Burke

- He's saying things like "Tough times don't last, tough people do." What the hell? That's not motivational. I look forward to next week's motivational lesson: "There's no 'I' in TEAM."

These decisions and comments indicate a disconnection from reality. I'm really starting to wonder if his health is an issue -- he's not right.

---

It is possible to have a minor stroke without knowing it, but that doesn't explain the windbreaker. FYI, it was pretty hot for the Nevada game as well. And he was wearing it then as well.

KoreAmBear;841965796 said:

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Blinded by the light. Wrapped up like a douche, another runner in the night.

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great song, give me the name of the band...

Considering how much time coaches spend outdoors, it could be skin cancer. Perhaps what appears to be a big white windbreaker is a loose fitting sun blocking cover, such as the ones manufactured by Solumbra.

dan1997;841966618 said:

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great song, give me the name of the band...

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Manfred Mann

koreambear;841965796 said:

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blinded by the light. revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night.

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fify

KoreAmBear;841965796 said:

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Blinded by the light. Wrapped up like a douche, another runner in the night.

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Revved up like a duece ....

txwharfrat;841966634 said:

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Revved up like a duece ....

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"A little early birdie gave my anus curly-whirly and asked me if I needed a ride."
:acclaim: :p

reminds me of Elizabeth Taylor in her later caftan years. But seriously, the way he is carrying his weight-all low in the belly-looks very unhealthy.

txwharfrat;841966634 said:

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Revved up like a duece ....

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i always thought it was douche, as well. and rumor in the night. it totally sounds like rumor, or at best "rooner" but not runner. great song.

OK - this is the most ridiculous thread ever.

1) Windbreaker - paid for by the guys who pay 90% of JTs salary - the boys at Nike. Notice Urban Meyer also wearing it at the OSU game. Notice both of them go to the Nike Retreat each year and are Nike coaches. Get over it.

2) JT addressed his health earlier this year and said it is a grind, but that he is OK with it and it is not like Urban Meyer - his close friend. He is not sick. Stop the third rate I know nothing about this except what I read on E and therefore I am an expert BS.

3) EVERYONE gets fatter as they age. Get older and then start posting.

4) He is doing absolutely NOTHING different this year with his handling of the team that he did 10 years ago, or 5 years ago. He is the same guy. The fans are different, and the players are different, and the times are different. That may be a black mark on him, but don't be surprised when your employee turns out the perform the same way year in and year out. Others have changed. JT has not.

Oski87;841966925 said:

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OK - this is the most ridiculous thread ever.

1) Windbreaker - paid for by the guys who pay 90% of JTs salary - the boys at Nike. Notice Urban Meyer also wearing it at the OSU game. Notice both of them go to the Nike Retreat each year and are Nike coaches. Get over it.

2) JT addressed his health earlier this year and said it is a grind, but that he is OK with it and it is not like Urban Meyer - his close friend. He is not sick. Stop the third rate I know nothing about this except what I read on E and therefore I am an expert BS.

3) EVERYONE gets fatter as they age. Get older and then start posting.

4) He is doing absolutely NOTHING different this year with his handling of the team that he did 10 years ago, or 5 years ago. He is the same guy. The fans are different, and the players are different, and the times are different. That may be a black mark on him, but don't be surprised when your employee turns out the perform the same way year in and year out. Others have changed. JT has not.

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You honestly think the way he coaches the offense hasnt changed??

SkyBear;841966933 said:

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Here we go. Found another pumper.

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I think you read his post wrong. Unless this is sarcastic, in which case, I read your post inorrectly.

To the OP, let's not read into it too much. My guess is that JT has checked out mentally. The Tosh disaster probably hurt a lot. Putting your house up for sale in the offseason is not a good sign either.

I'm not JT's mother or friend. He is Cal's HC, nothing more, nothing less. He gets paid to do his job (just like the rest of us). Also, he has done fine and he will do fine in the future (just not at Cal). He should be an OC somewhere (probably college, maybe pro).

Regardless, he has enough money to never have to work again. We should all have such problems.

Oski87;841966925 said:

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OK - this is the most ridiculous thread ever.

1) Windbreaker - paid for by the guys who pay 90% of JTs salary - the boys at Nike. Notice Urban Meyer also wearing it at the OSU game. Notice both of them go to the Nike Retreat each year and are Nike coaches. Get over it.

2) JT addressed his health earlier this year and said it is a grind, but that he is OK with it and it is not like Urban Meyer - his close friend. He is not sick. Stop the third rate I know nothing about this except what I read on E and therefore I am an expert BS.

3) EVERYONE gets fatter as they age. Get older and then start posting.

4) He is doing absolutely NOTHING different this year with his handling of the team that he did 10 years ago, or 5 years ago. He is the same guy. The fans are different, and the players are different, and the times are different. That may be a black mark on him, but don't be surprised when your employee turns out the perform the same way year in and year out. Others have changed. JT has not.

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Agreed. This thread is getting f*cked up, Larry.

I think we (collectively) are responsible for creating this hype beast. He had a good stretch but couldn't get over the hump. Then we got scared that we would revert back to pre-Tedford days (yes I got scared too). We paid him big $, and he came to realize that he could get paid handsomely without being accountable for wins. He lives in the JT world we created.

bearister;841967113 said:

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Agreed. This thread is getting f*cked up, Larry.

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What tipped you off?

BancroftSteps;841967127 said:

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What tipped you off?

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I'd say the "massive windbreaker" ..tribute to Delta Burke" and "...Elizabeth Taylor in her later caftan years" were the 2 x 4 to the head that tipped me off.


"It couldn't have been mine, you know why? Cuz I gets mine, Larry. I brings the ruckus to the ladies."

BancroftSteps;841966205 said:

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I have to agree with you on this. Not that we owe him anything. But from that perspective the buy-out almost seems fair. Think about his retention and how important it was during all the issues with the facilities upgrades. Do you know anyone else who would have stuck it out for any less?

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Agree, JT isn't owed anything. It's like this was a negotiation or deal point -- stick around with risk but no low buy out clause. Tedford gets time/security and Cal gets coverage (coach in tact) to move forward.

Given how much already went wrong by '09 (Tree Sitters, delays), Sandy Barbour had no other choice because a new hire could have been a disaster on top of an already crazy "only in Berkeley" situation. The situation had a dozen red flag plus fire alarms ringing.

Holy hell, they were literally passing buckets full of sh*t from the trees. I know people want to forget that but those were the conditions at the time.

As to who would stick around for less? No one sane. Signing a $600,000 buy-out clause would have silly because you're just giving away leverage or risk compensation.