30 Comments
User's avatar
KetamineCal's avatar

It appears that Mike will have a new TE to coach. Rico Walker formerly of Purdue, Auburn, and Maryland.

We may be getting LS David Bird back from Bama. Good snapper, but got cursed out publicly by his kicker against Oklahoma.

KetamineCal's avatar

Some generic updates of our guys still in the portal: Keanaaina's waiver request was turned down, but he earned his Masters. Taggart is going to Utah State. Brandon High back to UTSA. Moko visited Mississippi State. (I don't know a path to return even exists after he threw that punch in Hawaii.) Lajuan Owens (who came from UNM with Anae) is headed to Central Arkansas. Ike Okafor to Wazzu.

KetamineCal's avatar

We're only allowed 10 recruiting-oriented coaches plus Tosh. I like being able to hire to a coach's unique strength instead of hoping they're good at everything.

Also looks like we're using a lot of assistant positions for Cal alums, which is great! Fans like seeing a familiar name in a less-blamable situation, and will expand our brand if they take promotions elsewhere and succeed.

Justbear's avatar

It's funny that some of these coaches don't have much accomplishments (yet) that the promotional post shows "notable teammates" for some or "notable Cal Tight Ends" that Saffel didn't coach. I like the creativity to fill the page.

KetamineCal's avatar

Yeah that was kinda funny. It's probably a resume-building stop for a lot of these folks. Some have already been in the "private" coaching sector and may return there. I think we're giving bigger titles to some of the roles that would have been "graduate assistant"-like. Seems like a conscious decision to build a network and possible recruiting pipeline as well.

Justbear's avatar

Yeah whatever it takes to get these young coaches to come to Cal or get them motivated. Or for recruits to buy in and get excited and sign with us. It's a strategy and I like it.

TKE Prytanis 79's avatar

Cause I don't know where else to ask, can anyone explain why there seems to be some confusion over whether we have a new punter from the portal. On3 shows him, but 24/7 does not, nor has he been listed on earlier WFC summaries. Gracias

mrjpark's avatar

I think Avinash answered this "unofficially" a while back, but 247 and On3 don't have anyone dedicated to Cal. For one of them, the USC guy updates us on the side. As a result, we're just not always updated.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

It’s certainly a big staff.

Cal has been a heavily penalized, poorly coached team for the past decade or longer…if having a staff this large helps the team execute better on game days while also serving to handle the various aspects of the profession in the current climate, great. Some guys will focus on recruiting, the other technique. Provided everyone has a role, it can’t hurt.

Pat S's avatar

If only we had a coach in charge of eliminating our 6-8 drive-killing false starts per game…

jakewebs's avatar

I've heard some analysis (YouTube, Twitter) suggest this may be related to the OL getting set and staying set for 20-25 seconds as the offense did some motions, surveying the defense, etc. This made it tough for the guys. I have kept an eye on this in other games I have watched and I don't usually see the line set for that long. I am not an O Line expert however so I don't know if that was the problem.

Oski Disciple's avatar

I remember during a Holmoe season having a delay of game penalty coming out of a time out that we had called.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

I remember during a Holmoe season kicking off to begin both halves. Brutal.

Someone mentioned it also happened during Tedford’s time but I don’t remember that one.

Oski Disciple's avatar

I remember it during the Holmoe years but I don't recall it happening under Tedford and doubt it did.

Justbear's avatar

Cal vs Washington 2007

Cal kicked off both halves.

Washington won the coin toss and deferred to second half. Thomas DeCoud chose to kickoff 😳

mrjpark's avatar

Good thing he called the time out! They would have had a delay of game!

KetamineCal's avatar

Those false starts were demoralizing. The issue preceded Anae's tenure, but my expectations will be higher of him in Y2.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Be nice to see them play cleaner. There’s 2-3 more W’s a year right there.

Justbear's avatar

I wonder at what point we have too many coaches. I like this staff but just curious how many is too many

Stanfurdstinks's avatar

Great if you don't have to spend your time having to coach, game plan, and recruit all at once. Remember that they have to deal with both HS and a crazy portal nowadays. The model has changed.

Eric's avatar

Eeyore-esque way of looking at many things this recruiting season in your commentaries, when maybe it is time to enjoy the hunny pot!

McOski's avatar

If you trust your staff you can’t have too much help. Just like a teacher/student ratio—a smaller number = more opportunities for direct attention. It’s a good thing.

OldSoCalBear's avatar

agree if it’s clear who is responsible for what, and if everyone acts accordingly. But achieving that is not trivial, especially with a big group of ambitious guys looking to make an impact.

Oski Disciple's avatar

When did coaching staffs become so huge. I believe in the Tedford years we averaged about 12 assistants. Going back even further, Pappy Waldorf had four or five assistants. We have enough now to fill section E.

Justbear's avatar

Rule changed like 2 or 3 years ago. Now we can have unlimited. Before it was 10 assistant coaches

Toohandy's avatar

Wow. This must be the largest coaching staff in the country.

mrjpark's avatar

This is the kind of staff that has existed in the SEC / B1G for a while now. Making up positions to create as large of a non-recruiting coaching staff as they can afford.

justbearly's avatar

I like what is happening at Cal football. The mix of old and new coaches and emphasis on Cal history is encouraging. Mike Saffell was a great player and now a good coach. I wonder how this overall arrangement and number of coaches and analysts compares with other schools. Go Bears!

Clifford Fewel's avatar

I like what I’m seeing.