And there goes another one.
Jeff Tedford, the Oregon offensive coordinator since
1997, was named the head coach at California on
Wednesday.
Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti must now search for
his fourth offensive coordinator in seven seasons.
The 40-year-old Tedford replaces Tom Holmoe, who in
five years at Cal finished with a 16-39 overall
record, including a 1-10 mark this season.
“I’ve been wanting to be a head coach for a long
time,” Tedford told the Associated Press, “and I don’t
think there’s a better fit.”
Tedford has a history of developing strong
quarterbacks. Prior to joining the Oregon coaching
staff, he was the offensive coordinator at Fresno
State, where he molded Trent Dilfer (now with the
Seattle Seahawks) into a first-round draft pick in the
NFL.
In his first year with the Ducks, Tedford coached
Akili Smith, who was second in the nation in passing
efficiency and the third overall pick in the 1998
draft. A.J. Feeley, a backup under Joey Harrington
last year, was a third-round pick by the Philadelphia
Eagles last year. And Harrington, a Heisman Trophy
qualifier, seems a sure first-round pick in next
year’s draft.
The Register-Guard reported that two of candidates for
the Ducks’ open coaching position will likely be Boise
State offensive coordinator Chris Petersen, the wide
receivers coach for six seasons under Bellotti, and
Bill Musgrave, former Oregon quarterback.