Not sure if that is the right word. For me, Tedford has been the only coach since the beginning of my freshmen year (2005). First game was Sac State and have been a huge fan since that day..Not saying its the wrong decesion but feel a bit weird...

I am sick to my stomach to be honest. I support the decision, but that does not make it any easier.

I am a little confused by the emphasis on academic failures, however. That's a headscratcher. But Sandy said it, so...

I started following Cal football in 2003 with the Tedford/Aaron Rodgers team. I know how you feel.

edwinbear;842014809 said:

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I started following Cal football in 2003 with the Tedford/Aaron Rodgers team. I know how you feel.

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I'm with you.

After the Nevada game, I knew that it was over.

Best we have ever had! Just a great guy..Didn't know him on a personal level but I have the same feeling right now I would have if one of my closer co-workers was suddenly fired.

If he left 2 years ago, I would've felt a little "emotional," but unfortunately he's worn out his welcome years ago.
The only thing on my mind is the selection of his replacement.

BobbyGBear;842014808 said:

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I am sick to my stomach to be honest. I support the decision, but that does not make it any easier.

I am a little confused by the emphasis on academic failures, however. That's a headscratcher. But Sandy said it, so...

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I'm pretty sick to my stomach about it, too. But, re: the academic failings - that, I'm sure, was the final nail. It can't be ignored at Cal - given the current financial situation, and the general environment on campus. It cannot, and in my opinion, shouldn't, be only about wins.

edwinbear;842014809 said:

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I started following Cal football in 2003 with the Tedford/Aaron Rodgers team. I know how you feel.

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I went to Cal for 4 of 5 of Holmoe's years. Didn't give an F about Cal football, except for the Big Game rioting and the academic scandal and Cal players crashing their car into my dorm. Oh, and getting to meet Kyle Boller standing in line at Burbank airport in October 2001, amid that disasterous season (and my female friend introducing me to him and his hot girlfriend).

But Tedford got me hooked, slowly but surely.

LethalFang;842014826 said:

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If he left 2 years ago, I would've felt a little "emotional," but unfortunately he's worn out his welcome years ago.
The only thing on my mind is the selection of his replacement.

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Yes. This program has been dead for a while now. Time to revive the patient.

Started in 2002 when he came and will be finally graduating (graduate degree of course) this academic year.. So for the past 11 years as a Cal its been all Tedford... I really wished he was able to turn the program around

^This.

Me too. I went to my first Cal game in 1972 (when I was six) and have been a fan ever since. While this needed to be done, I am very sad about it and sorry it had to end this way. I really wanted Jeff Tedford to be the coach to lead us to our long awaited Rose Bowl.

In the end I think it was academics and poor play. The poor play might be excused, but the academic could never be an excuse. I feel badly for Tedford but he's a grown up, he'll land on his feet and be fine.

You're not the only one
With mixed emotions

Sad, meloncholy, bittersweet ...

Been watching youtube highlights of all the great cal wins - so much for a productive workday before Thanksgiving ...

Below are the first six stories in the Chronicle about new coach Jeff Tedford, circa December, 2001.

* Cal coach is Oregon's Tedford

* Plans to wake Bears from their slumber / Unique teacher awakens offenses

* Tedford to target speedy players / Tedford takes control / Cal head coach primed to turn around program

* Tedford picks 7 assistants

* Cal goes to Canada for offensive coach

* Tedford sees no excuses for Cal

Strykur;842014822 said:

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After the Nevada game, I knew that it was over.

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Same here.

You can't continue to make the same mistakes and expect to succeed in such a competitive Conference.
This is a tough day for everyone all the way around. But I'm sure that history will look kindly on Coach Tedford and his association with Cal.
That having been said, it's time to move on with the realization of a new "dawn" for Cal Football.

:gobears:

mechaniCAL;842014853 said:

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Started in 2002 when he came and will be finally graduating (graduate degree of course) this academic year.. So for the past 11 years as a Cal its been all Tedford... I really wished he was able to turn the program around

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He did turn the program around, twice.

OldenBear;842014838 said:

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I'm pretty sick to my stomach about it, too. But, re: the academic failings - that, I'm sure, was the final nail. It can't be ignored at Cal - given the current financial situation, and the general environment on campus. It cannot, and in my opinion, shouldn't, be only about wins.

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True, but the graduation data is like 8 years old or something. It is a really poor measuring stick.

I'm sad but the writing's been on the wall for some time. I also think this is the best for everyone including JT himself.

stanfurdbites;842014880 said:

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Sad, meloncholy, bittersweet ...

Been watching youtube highlights of all the great cal wins - so much for a productive workday before Thanksgiving ...

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yea..can't concentrate at work either..Would LOVE to see him get the Colorado job (Head Coach) and prove he still has it! Of course, take a year off, vacation, relax and come back like Meyer did..

LethalFang;842014826 said:

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If he left 2 years ago, I would've felt a little "emotional," but unfortunately he's worn out his welcome years ago.
The only thing on my mind is the selection of his replacement.

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The players seem genuinely distraught about the firing. Obviously, it was the right move but to lack any empathy for what our student athletes are going through seems a bit cold to me.

Steven Moore called it the most emotional meeting he's ever been to.
Ironically, Moore made a late decision to attend Cal over Boise State but could be reunited with the Coach (Peterson) he spurned.

SkyBear;842014924 said:

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I was calling his head earlier this season, but the way people (not just BI, but also in the media and other message boards... everywhere) were acting lately, I feel sick to the stomach about the way people talked about Tedford. He deserved more respect from people in general, for how classy he is in how he carries himself. Almost makes me wish he could have stayed just to spite everyone for being so mean-spirited.

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+1

I've been a Cal football fan for over 50 years and Coach Tedford gave my family something we could all rally and root for these past fall seasons..My work year gives me just about 12 Saturdays off..and they were all spent (including bowl years) with the football Bears.. and we often just had the radio and Joe Starkey to keep us informed down here in Long Beach. Having watched the team go from 2001 through all its success gave my family (and my kids' partners/cousins/friends).. aLL of us a reason to visit Berkeley and bother people with our Cal gear down here! I had season tickets for 10 years and even with the travel costs, it was worth it! Meeting Coach Tedford numerous times was a special treat and I honored him as a person and character builder. Yes, it was time for the team to make this change, but I am sad to see such a fine man leave a potential legacy program..for so long he was a part of our life, and I wonder who will be able to give us what he did, without any reservations..He was Cal Football for us.

BobbyGBear;842014939 said:

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True, but the graduation data is like 8 years old or something. It is a really poor measuring stick.

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Nope, actually very recent, based on the entering football class in 2005, and giving them six years to complete requirements. That's why it's so damning; that and the fact that it's been dropping over the last several years.

I feel depressed, frankly. I did feel that Tedford and Cal should part ways (to the benefit of both). And the prospect of a whole off-season with nothing to look forward to but more false hope was disheartening to say the least. I am relieved that the hard but necessary choice was made. (As an aside, I feel awful for Sandy. What a terrible job that must be, at times).

I think part of it is I have this sick feeling we're going to end up with a head coach that is not a worthwhile successor to the standard Coach Tedford set when he first came here (and sadly could not live up to himself). The lists that have been passed around so far have a few bright spots, some unknowns, and some prospects that make me just wince.

This coming hire is huge. (No, really?)

The first game I attended was in 1991. Over the years I've seen a combination of good coaches, bad coaches, REALLY bad coaches, and a one and done coach. I'm sad to see Tedford regress so much, but all things considered I'm glad that we're making a change at this juncture.

JT has no one to blame but himself. Do I feel sorry that he got fired? No! I was on his side until the recruiting fiasco last year where we went from a top five recruiting year to number 25 overnight. Losing to Nevada in our new stadium was another nail. The final five games this year proved to me that he lost the team, lost his coaching skills. I know others say he should have been fired after 2010, some earlier. He's gone now, it's time to move on with a new coach. Hopefully we hire someone that can rekindle the fire we had in 2002-2006.

:tedford
Not anymore!

No. You recognize the accomplishments and move on. To quote The Godfather, "Its not personal its business."

Go Bears!!!

never to see the promised land:

foothillbear;842015029 said:

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No. You recognize the accomplishments and move on. To quote The Godfather, "Its not personal its business."

Go Bears!!!

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I feel bad for JT but in the end he is an adult and his inability to perform adequately is what led to this day. Let's give him a show of appreciation (if he wants it) with a ceremony and a plaque and then move on to bigger and better things (and coaches).

Ultimately Coach Tedford is leaving behind a strong legacy that he can always be proud of.

The turn around.
Multiple bowl wins and appearances.
9 for 11 winning seasons.
Conference co-champs.

Thanks for everything coach.

Oh I get so emotional baby

Every time I think of you

I get so emotional baby

Ain't it shocking what love can do