Golden Nuggets: Ol' Reliable

As the coach with the longest standing tenure in the Pac-10, Jeff Tedford has something to offer recuits which other schools don't have: stability.

Entering his ninth season with the Golden Bears, Tedford is the most tenured coach in the Pac-10. His program is relatively clean. Turnover among his assistants is relatively low, though it most assuredly would be higher if Cal were averaging 10 wins per season instead of eight.

Quite simply, no football coach in the Pac-10 can sell consistency to recruits as openly and honestly as Tedford — and have evidence to back it up.

Harbaugh is restless by nature. Kiffin has to overcome a credibility problem. Rick Neuheisel passed through two other schools as head coach before getting to UCLA. Kelly has a one-year record and has been noticed. Steve Sarkisian at Washington, another rookie, was contacted by the Raiders in 2007 and, should he have success, will get more looks from the NFL.

Rarely does Cal recruit against the likes of Paul Wulff at Washington State, Dennis Erickson at Arizona State or Mike Stoops at Arizona.

The problem with Mike Riley, entering his eighth year at Oregon State and who recently signed an extension through 2019, when he turns 66, is that he is in Corvallis. Riley is the best coach in the conference, but he works in a place that almost never attracts a blue-chipper.

Which means Tedford this month is in position to expand his clout. He can sell the Bay Area. He can sell improving and expanding facilities, though certain areas of Memorial Stadium look like safety hazards.

Mostly, though, Tedford can sell himself as a fixture, and a coach who consistently sends players to the NFL.

As recruits scramble and decommit and recommit at USC, as the Pac-10 waves goodbye to Carroll and braces for Hurricane Lane, Tedford's program stands as a virtual island of peace and permanence.

That's pretty remarkable these days. Tedford should know that, as should Cal.

After the jump JO grades the coaches, Wilner takes Cal and the points over WSU, Faraudo posts his Wazzu scouting report, and more.

Cal Football

• After a season when Cal lost several of its games in such a mystifying manner, JO says Tedford has several things to get sorted out for his program.  JO gives the coaches a C-

Cal Basketball

• Cal is favored by 4 over the Cougs.  Wilner would take Cal and the points.  
• Oregon coach Ernie Kent thinks one school can stand out in the Pac-10 this year: Cal.  With the talent and experience they have, Kent thinks they have the best shot of winning the conference.
• Faraudo posts his Wazzu scouting report.