News broke Sunday morning that Sonny Dykes has hired Wisconsin LB coach Andy Buh as Cal's next defensive coordinator. Buh spent some time as a graduate assistant under Tom Holmoe in 2000-01 before moving on to bigger and better things.
And now Buh, a California native, is coming back to Cal.
Buh's credentials are pretty straightforward:
2008-2009: Stanford co-defensive coordinator
2010-2011: Nevada defensive coordinator
2012: Wisconsin linebackers
To put it simply, Buh made an awful Stanford defense into a below average one and an even worst Nevada defense into an average unit.
So what to make of this hire?
First off, I have to admit it's a letdown to to hear that Dave Aranda (Utah State) is not coming to Cal. Aranda was clearly the best option on the table for a program of Cal's caliber and from various reports out there, Aranda was offered the position earlier in the week (which shows that Dykes is serious about fixing this defense).
While I wasn't surprised that Aranda turned down the Cal position, especially given the reasons we listed in the blog post below, what makes this news sting is that Aranda is supposedly going to Texas Tech (which makes me think that Cal missed out on a coach that they realistically could've had).
Hopefully this is the last we will see of Buh wearing red (Wisconsin athletics)
Having said that, Buh is a very good second option. I don't have any sources out there anymore so I won't pretend like I know what I'm talking about, but I do know a couple people who have worked closely with Buh over the years and they love this hire for Cal.
Word on the street describes Buh as a severe detail oriented coach who is part workaholic, part competitive psycho. I don't really know enough about Buh's defensive philosophies to make a concrete assessment, but having covered recruiting in a past life, I can honestly say that Buh is one hell of a recruiter. Combined with the rapid enthusiasm that Tony Franklin has exhibited, Cal will have two coordinators whoa re constantly out there in the trenches doing their best to get kids to come to Berkeley (which is a great, great change of pace from previous regimes).
With all the talent running around here in California, I'm positive Buh is itching to hit the recruiting trail. Buh also has some strong relationships in Texas as well, which is another big positive.
On the field, I really like the fact that Buh has coached in three different conferences. While his time as a defensive coordinator weren't the greatest (statistically speaking), the hope here is that Buh has experienced and learned a great deal from his past jobs, especially this past season working under Bret Bielema and the rugged, traditionally defensive oriented Big Ten.
Reading around the different websites, I've also seen a lot of questions wondering why Buh (a Nevada alum) left his alma mater to become a LB coach. I've read a lot of if he is so good, then why ... ? remarks. Two notes on that:
Nevada athletics pay its coaches pennies compared to other programs (true)
Buh, as a grown man, needed to do what grown men need to do from time to time and feed his family (speculative on my part)
Much like the Dykes hire, Buh's placement as Cal's defensive coordinator is not without risk. There were certainly safer choices out there (DeWayne Walker being the prime example) but I think both Dykes and Buh are going to work out well for Cal in the long run.
Now that Sonny Dykes has settled into his new role as head coach of the Cal football program, the next step for Dykes is to fill out his coaching staff. From initial reports about who is in and who is out, things are looking swell:
IN
Tony Franklin (Offensive Coordinator): This was a must get for Dykes. Putting aside who is the real brainchild of the offense, it was critical that this pair be kept together. For whatever reason, what these two develop in the film room works magnificently on the field and it would've been a shame to break them up. Continuity + familiarity = great formula for success. Rob Likens (Wide Receivers): Don't know too much about him, but his unit was tremendous last year so it couldn't hurt to bring Likens along.
Mark Tommerdahl (Special Teams): When was the last time the Cal football program had had a truly special special teams? 2007? The Deltha O'Neal days? Tommerdahl is one of the best in the business and it is about time the Bears took this unit seriously.
The big one there is obviously defensive coordinator.
Dykes is only in his second week as head coach so it is flat out unfair to call anything critical at this juncture but I'm going to do it anyway. This hire is going to be critical to the long-term success of the program. I think the majority of Cal people in and outside the program would agree that Dykes' eventual choice for defensive coordinator will make-or-break the Sonny Dykes' era at Cal.
Assuming that Dykes and Franklin continue to put up video game-like numbers on offense (and at this point there is no reason NOT to assume that given Dykes' past history), the layout towards a potential Rose Bowl bid is simple: show a semblance of defense and Cal will be in pretty good shape.
In that regard, this hire is truly significant and I really feel Dykes is going to nail this hire. Unfortunately, however, I think Cal fans are going to be initially disappointed when they find out who the new guy will be. Not that I have insider knowledge or anything (at this point what does insider knowledge even mean anymore?) but I'm pretty sure that Cal's new defensive coordinator will be someone from a lower-end conference (much like Dykes) or someone who comes with some type of flaw/baggage who will be initially looked upon as an underwhelming choice.
While nabbing Utah State's Dave Aranda would be a home run, Mike Elko or DeWayne Walker would also be solid hires
My reasoning for that is simple: the task of coaxing a quality BCS defensive coordinator to jump schools for the same position will be an impossible sell for Dykes. Given the high percentage of defensive coordinators of BCS programs who are looking to become head coaches (pretty much all of them), the likelihood of furthering that career advancement at a place like Cal is very slim.
Between facing the innovative schemes of Pac-12 offenses (pro set, air-raid, up-tempo, pistol, etc ...) and the realization that your defense is going to be on the field more than you would like due to Dykes' penchant to put up points by the bunches, defensive numbers at Cal under Dykes' will always be sweked.
Why would someone like Luke Fickell (Ohio State) for example ever want to take that risk?
Instead, Dykes almost assuredly has to - and probably is at this moment - looking at guys from the WAC, MAC and other conferences of that nature. Make no mistake about it, Dykes is going to have to take a chance with whoever it is he eventually brings in. Whether it's a guy like DeWayne Walker (poor on-field results lately) or a guy like Nick Toth (inexperienced) there will be some questions marks with the new hire.
Having said that, here is my uninformed and probably misguided list on who Dykes' should be looking at:
Dave Aranda (Utah State) - Dykes knows all about Aranda having faced him in the WAC. As a lot of posters on the message boards are writing, nabbing Aranda would be a home run hire. As I outlined above though, why would Aranda take the risk of coming to Cal? Why not wait for a bigger job to come along? I just don't see this happening but will be very, very happy if it did.
Mike Elko (Bowling Green) - I really like what Elko has done. Elko's defense was arguably the best in the country (outside of the usual suspects) this season and the great thing about Elko is that his units have consistently forced turnovers. He's still young and seems energetic, which would obviously translate well in recruiting, and he's an Ivy League guy!
DeWayne Walker (New Mexico State) - I say throw out everything he's done at New Mexico State. I mean seriously, I don't know if Nick Saban could win there. Having said that though, Walker's record as head coach at NMSU is horrific. But I think once he gets back to doing what he does best (recruiting Los Angeles and calling defensive plays) Walker would be a huge asset to the program. The best thing about Dykes' offense is that Walker doesn't even have to be the greatest coordinator in the world - he just needs to hold down the fort. And as we've seen time and time again, talent can and often does mask a coach's weaknesses and Walker has been known to recruit as well as anyone around.
Mark Banker (Oregon State) - Not going to happen but might as well make the phone call.
Nick Toth (Fresno State) - This guy is a real up-and-comer but he has only one year experience as a coordinator. Is that enough?
Kent Baer (San Jose State) - I assume he's going to go with McIntyre to Boulder but maybe Dykes can pry him loose? Unlike the other guys on this list, Baer has been around the block a time or three. As my editor Jimmy Durkin at the Tribune noted to me, Baer is very experienced and has faced virtually every offense out there. Hiring a guy like Baer will give Cal a lot of stability. Won't be the very best defense around but he'll produce a solid unit.
Robb Smith (Rutgers) - Had his guys flying around the ball this year. Much like Toth, however, two things jump out about Smith: inexperienced (one year as coordinator) and competition (have you seen Big East offenses this year)? Still though, results are results and Smith produced big-time this season.
Brent Guy (Tulsa) - The oldest and experienced guy on this list next to Baer. Guy has been around the block as well having coached all over the place, including the Pac-10. His unit gave up only 24 points per game this past season but just as important his Tulsa unit ranked in the top 20 overall in rush defense. Much like Baer, Guy is more of a safe choice in that you kind of know what you are getting.
As I said above, I think Coach Dykes is going to nail this hire but it probably won't be a guy that many Cal fans have heard of (so patience folks!)
Reading through all the tea leaves, numerous outlets are reporting that Cal has hired Sonny Dykes to be its next head coach.
Was it a home run hire that we were all hoping for? No.
Is Dykes a good hire? I personally believe so.
Following
this process for the last two weeks, it's evident that whoever was
Cal's first choice told Sandy they weren't interested which prompted Cal
to move on to "Plan B." All things said and done, I think Dykes is a
pretty good backup plan.
The essentials that come with Dykes'
resume is pretty well-known: offense, offense, and more offense. Dykes
is from Lubbock, Tex. and has been a head coach for three seasons. A
well-regarded offensive mind, Dykes has proven over the years that his
teams can and will put up points.
Dykes' history as an offensive coordinator/in charge of an offense:
2007: 57th in the country (28 points per game)
2008: 16th in the country (36.6 points per game)
2009: 61st in the country (27.3 points per game)
2010: 60th in the country (26.8 points per game)
2011: 42nd in the country (30.1 points per game)
2012: 1st in the country (51.5 points per game)
Dykes' LA Tech team was ranked No. 1 in offense this season. Can be bring that success to Cal?
Why Dykes?
Truthfully, only Sandy knows that answer to that question but this hiring signals a couple things:
1. Sandy believes that outside of the big names Dykes is the best guy for the job.
2. Sandy believes that Dykes "fits" what UC Berkeley (not just Cal) is looking for in a head coach.
3. Sandy believes that Dykes can relate to fans, donors, and potential new fans in and around the Bay Area.
So what does this mean for Cal as a program?
First of all, it means that Cal is not the number one destination for big name coaches. Shocking right? Various names like Chris Petersen, Bob Diaco and Charlie Strong were thrown out there as candidates only to fall away. This is obviously nothing new and a continuation sign of what Cal hopes to become one day. A program like Arkansas might be able to go and get who they want, but Cal is not there ... yet.
With that said, this hire also marks a new beginning for Cal football. By the time kick-off arrives next September and the overachieving Wildcats of Northwestern are standing on the other sideline, Cal fans will forget all about the Tedford era and the slate will be wiped clean and replaced with happy thoughts of what the future might hold.
This hire also reiterates (whether on purpose or not) that Sandy Barbour and Cal believes that the best way to win and sell tickets is with an offensive coach running the show. Strong, Diaco, Mike McIntyre and to a lesser extent Petersen were all defensive minded guys. As outsiders to the situation, we will never know exactly how much the prospect of selling those ESP seats played into this decision, but I'm sure Sandy believed that it is much easier to sell tickets to the Cal fanbase with an exciting brand of football rather than a boring one.
What does this mean for Cal on the field?
Based on Dykes' track record, there is no reason to believe that Cal won't average at least 30 points per game next season. With speedsters such as Treggs, Harper, Bigelow, Lasco and others, the personnel that Tedford left Dykes with seems made for his offense. Dykes was highly successful with Nick Foles under center when he was at Arizona and there is even more talent on this roster in comparison to those Arizona teams. Bottom line, it is safe to say that this will be the most talented roster (outside of the Harrell-Crabtree TT squad) Dykes has ever had to play with.
I also like the fact that Dykes' spread option offense also includes a heavy dose of running the ball. Passing the ball on 3rd-and-2 really irks people after awhile and I'm glad that Dykes' at least appreciates the idea that running the ball can also be a big positive. LA Tech's leading rusher Kenneth Dixon tallied 1,194 yards on the ground this past season on 200 carries. No reason to believe Bigelow couldn't match those numbers.
So that leaves the defense. If the huge positive in hiring Dykes is offense, the huge drawback is defense. Taking Dykes' Louisiana Tech squads of the past couple years as an example, his teams have been terrible on that side of the ball. We could type out the statistics to prove it, but let's just say you should take our word for it.
If rumors are indeed true that former UCLA defensive coordinator Dewayne Walker will accompany Dykes to Cal, that will be a huge bonus for the program. The easiest and quickest way to fix a defense is to
1). Hire a coordinator that knows defense
and
2). Recruit the living crap out of that side of the ball.
Walker has proven in the past that he knows the Southern California area well and can recruit his fair share of talent. That should bode well for Cal considering the number of high-caliber athletes that are attracted to Cal. It is difficult for a school like LA Tech to sign 50-55 capable high school and JuCo athletes who are starter caliber (which is why even highly successful mid-majors struggle on one side of the ball) but it is much easier at a bigger BCS quality school like Cal.
What does the future hold for Cal?
I think the future is bright. While announcing that Chris Petersen would be the next Cal head coach would've been ideal, it was always a long shot. And since it wasn't going to be Petersen, a Dykes + Walker combo is a pretty good consolation prize. Dykes is very much in the mold of Chip Kelly, filled with an up & down offense and a penchant to go-for-it on 4th-and-2 from his own 45-yard line. In many ways, Dykes is what Jeff Tedford is not: daring, creative, brash, and simply doesn't give a f.
The key, as it usually is when it comes to college athletics, is recruiting. Dykes and his staff has been given a roster that is talented enough to win at least eight games this season (despite the tough schedule). But as we all know, it's not about just this season. Dykes needs to show and prove that he can recruit against the biggest names in the game. Because he runs a specific system, Dykes doesn't need to get all the high-4 star kids, but he does need to win his fair share of recruiting battles.
The prospect of getting Walker is also a high plus as noted before. Over the last couple years, Cal has slowly lost its pull in Southern California. Cal needs to re-kindle those relationships down there and Walker is the perfect guy to do it.
My only fear with this hire is that Dykes' gung-ho style will temper off now that he's in a position where he has to win. There have been countless examples (including Jeff Tedford) where the pressure to succeed on a high level forces coaches to become more conservative, uncreative, and in the end downright scared to take chances. Hopefully Dykes keeps his underdog style.
Regardless though, I will be looking forward to Spring Ball for the first time in I don't know how long.
