Jan 01 2009
Jeff Tedford inks ‘new year’ deal
For all of the rumors and speculation that was sure to come with many college and NFL positions opening up, Bear Backers don’t have to worry about their guy, Jeff Tedford, being part of that discussion. That’s because Tedford has already agreed to a contract extension that will no doubt give him a raise and keep him in Berkeley through 2015.Tedford’s salary, whatever it may be (estimated to be over $2 million per year), is a bargain basement price for what he’s brought to the program and to Cal. He’s a two-time Pac-10 coach of the year who has helped raise the status of Cal football from the ashes of doormat to perennial national contender.
Due to Tedford’s accomplishments on the field, money has been brought in off of it. Donations are up from $4.7 million to $10.4 million. Ticket proceeds have risen from $3.6 million to $11.2 million. Television revenue has tripled since Tedford’s arrival. That is what keeps all of the other athletic programs competitive.
Jeff Tedford’s leadership of our football program has placed us among the nation’s finest in combining on-field success with academic and community excellence. He truly represents `Athletics Done Right.’ The Cal football program has become an integral part of the comprehensive excellence of the Berkeley campus. I’m pleased that we’ve agreed to this mutual long-term commitment.
- Athletic Director, Sandy Barbour
Thankfully, Tedford more importantly wants to be here.
Not only does this extension reaffirm my dedication to Cal, but it demonstrates the long-term commitment the Athletic Department and University of California have to our program. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish and am excited for our players, staff and fans about the direction of the program, especially with construction of the Student-Athlete High Performance Center now underway.
- Tedford
He’s the reason the High Performance Center is a possibility. Because of Cal’s success on the field, they’ve been able to raise in excess of $100 million to build it and they’ve also been able to launch the $500 million Building Champions campaign that will include the renovation of Memorial Stadium and the Endowment Seating Program (ESP) to ensure of the financial future of the Cal Athletics.
Good news for Cal, good news for Cal alumni, good news for Cal fans…Happy New Year!
