Between Sandy's letter and info in the press, such as this - http://blog.sfgate.com/matierandross/2012/11/20/cal-football-coach-jeff-tedford-fired/ - it almost sounds like Cal either threatened to pursue a "for cause" firing or used it in negotiations. This is the first time I have read that Cal is only on the hook for one year of salary if JT gets another job.

then you must not have read much stuff

I read Sandy's release and a few of the news articles. It reads a bit like he was fired due to the APR scores. I was certain he would be allowed to resign, and I'm sure he could have but must have dug in. If he agreed to one year of salary if he finds other employment then he agreed to a substantially smaller amount than his contract called for. Obviously I am guessing, but the most obvious reason I can think he would agree to this would be to avoid losing everything based on a for cause termination.