2007 California Golden Bears Football Team - Aftermath

Aftermath

Cal's season was considered by many fans, players, and Coach Tedford to be a major disappointment. Cal was ranked as high as number #2 after a 5-0 start and Cal lost 6 of its last 7 regular season games, just making the Armed Forces Bowl. Many fans blamed the play of quarterback Nate Longshore for Cal's decline. Longshore's injury at Oregon appeared to physically affect his play for several games, though some sports commentators during broadcasts late in the season speculated that the ankle injury had mentally effected Longshore. Riley's performance in the Oregon State and Armed Forces Bowl have left an open debate about who will be Cal's quarterback next year.

On the day preceding the Armed Forces Bowl, Tedford declared there would be open competition for all positions on the team in 2008. In early January, Tedford reorganized his coaching staff, most notably hiring Frank Cignetti as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Tedford said he would give some of the play calling responsibility to Cignetti so he could spend more time with on special teams and defensive players. Tedford also hired Al Simmons as defensive backs coach. Tedford said he would reevaluate every aspect of Cal's football program and would make changes after Cal's disappointing season.

Center Alex Mack, the Pac-10's top offensive lineman elected to return for his senior year, which would also allow him to complete his degree. One week later, wide receive DeSean Jackson announced that he would forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft. Justin Forsett, Lavelle Hawkins, Robert Jordan, Thomas DeCoud, Mike Gibson, Craig Stevens, Matt Malele, Andrew Larson, and Tom Schneider were also potential NFL prospects.