Obviously, our opinion on the coaching staff (and all of us seem to have one!) at this point hardly matters in the long run. What matters first and foremost is the players and what they feel and believe. If they buy in to what Sonny Dykes and the new staff have to say, then there's a good chance things will turn around.
First signs are positive.
Allan Bridgford (who was at the press conference) had this to say about the search.
Thank you to @gobearsad for all the hard work that has been put in the past few weeks! The future is bright #GoBears
— Allan Bridgford (@A_Bridgford16) December 6, 2012
Austin Hinder seems like he's on board.
So excited to work with coach Dykes. This upcoming season is about to be ridiculous!!
— AustinHinder (@ahinder7) December 6, 2012
Daniel Lasco is ready to go.
about to meet the man who is going to lead this team to a National Championship if not, a Rose Bowl.. Its a good day for us Bears
— Daniel Lasco (@DLasco2) December 6, 2012
Michael Barton also seems pleased.
We ran into @mikebarton11 before the game. He's on board w/ new Cal coach S. Dykes. Excited about spring ball. Bears got a good one w/ Mike.
— SportStars™ Magazine (@SportStarsMag) December 9, 2012
Austin Clark also has a good feeling here.
Man I tell you what, I'm damn fired up about the direction this program is going
— Austin LaRue Clark (@austinc54) December 6, 2012
Gabe King was laying some words down! Here are his feelings on Dykes, but he had some feelings to dish out on the previous defensive staff. You can check it out on his Twitter feed.
Feeling too good after the meet with coach Dykes- Cal football is going to the top!
— Gabe King (@gking6691) December 6, 2012
Matt Cochran is all set.
I'm ridin with Coach Dykes. Time to buy in and sellout #RecklessAbandonment
— Matthew Cochran (@MattCoch) December 7, 2012
Brennan Scarlett probably was using this for finals, but I still found this quote pretty cool. Words to live by from a Bear to be proud of on and off the field (All-Academic honors!)
Most important person to be real with is yourself. instagr.am/p/TJx-euCcjE/
— Brennan Scarlett (@BScarlett17) December 12, 2012
Darius Powe was to the point.
BearRaid !!!
— Powe-wow(@HeemAtCal) December 6, 2012
Mark Brazinski is impressed with the new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.
Our new OC has an aura about him, an aura about winning #gobears
— Mark Brazinski (@MarkBrazinski) December 11, 2012
Jacob Wark knows what dorm life is like. Gotta get those swipes out while you still can!
My 1st 50 followers will receive a 1 on 1 date with me at late night. #swipesonswipes
— Jacob Wark (@Jwark84) December 7, 2012
Players and alumni had kind words for what Ron Gould has meant to them.
Cal let go one of the greatest RB coach today I love you coach g I will miss you glad I can be one of ur great backs 10 18 30 4 34 20 20 9
— C.J. Anderson (@CjAndersonRB9) December 12, 2012
Understand having the right to hire own staff, but how do you replace THE BEST? Thanks for bringing me to Cal Coach G, we love you. #gobears
— Todd Huber (@ToddHuberSS) December 12, 2012
The legacy of Coach G is gone from Cal! Best RB coach in college football helped me tremendously on & off the field sad to see him go #CalFB
— Justin Forsett (@JForsett) December 11, 2012
Finally, your movie review of the week.
War horse = bad movie
— Alex Mack (@alexmack55) December 12, 2012