Cal Coaching Search

I'm stunned, maybe hurt, that Cal Athletic Director Sandy Barbour has yet to solicit Flea Flicker advice on her search for a new Golden Bear coach. If she were to call, I'd suggest she first go after Boise St. head coach Chris Petersen. I have no sure fire evidence that he's at all interested in leaving Boise. I'm hoping that his northern California roots are a pull. He's a UC Davis alum and started his coaching career there. He might want to come to the big campus in Berkeley. I'm hoping that the potential of a Pac-12 school adds to that pull. Former coach Jeff Tedford showed through some excellent recruiting classes that Cal come bring in top high school football players. Petersen has been at Boise St. since 2001. The last six as the head coach. Maybe he needs a change. I think that he does. Chris Petersen and Cal could have a bright future.

If Petersen wants to keep coaching on that stupid blue field and has no interest in coming to Berkeley, I have a couple more suggestions. I like Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and Louisville coach Charlie Strong. The work that both have done in such a short time is remarkable. The defensive background of Strong is really starting to grow on me. Any one of Petersen, Franklin and Strong would be an excellent hire for Cal.

One thing that bothers me about this situation is that if Cal were to hire any of the three it would be a real blow to Boise St., Vanderbilt or Louisville. All three schools feel that they are in great shape with the coaches that they have. They are. Suddenly they are left without their coach. Most Cal fans don't really care about that but they should. No one in Berkeley liked it when Arizona St. swept in and stole Bruce Snyder from Cal in the early '90s. Then again. when the San Francisco 49ers pilfered Steve Mariucci a few years later. It's an unfortunate aspect of college football. Your great new coach is going to be the great new at another school soon. Or in the NFL. There's always seems to be another step up that a talented coach can take. Cal certainly isn't Notre Dame, Alabama, LSU or Michigan. Many people wouldn't really see Cal as big step up from Boise St., Vanderbilt or Louisville. It is but Cal's football past really wasn't too hot before Tedford. It's been over fifty years since Cal last reached the Rose Bowl. The potential for greatness in Berkeley is there. It just hasn't been reached. Hopefully, one of Chris Petersen, James Franklin, or Charlie Strong will see that potential too. I really hope that Sandy Barbour doesn't do something stupid before talking to me. I got some ideas.