SF Chronicle: Bears retain tight-ends coach

By Rusty Simmons

Link.

Cal took one hit Tuesday but avoided a second when Washington coach Steve Sarkisian announced his first staff hires.  Bears offensive line coach Jim Michalczik officially was named as the Huskies' offensive coordinator, but rumors about Cal tight-ends coach and special-teams coordinator Pete Alamar joining the Washington staff didn't come to fruition.  Along with Michalczik, Sarkisian announced the hiring of Demetrice Martin (a graduate assistant from USC) and Johnny Nansen (an assistant coach from Idaho), who will be the special-teams coordinator. That means Alamar would have to make less than a lateral move to head north.

Sarkisian reiterated that he'll be the play-caller, saying, "We've hired an offensive coordinator, but I'll call the plays." Michalczik is excited despite the fact he's back in the position he had last year, when he was a mainstay in game-planning but gave way to Cal coach Jeff Tedford's play-calling on game days.  "I've always admired coach Sarkisian," Michalczik said. "The combination of coming to work for him and to work at a great institution like the UW is incredible."

A source close to the negotiations said Michalczik will make at least $350,000 next year on a contract that runs through June 2012.   Alamar has been a part of four teams that won 10 games in a season, two at Cal and one each at Arizona and Arizona State. His unit has led the Pac-10 in punting over the last three years and has accounted for an all-conference player in five of the last six.  His largely overlooked tight ends have been a big part of the blocking schemes that Michalczik is leaving behind. Alamar's departure would leave Cal in a muck regarding its blocking, especially with so many young players who are expected contribute next year.

Return of the Mack: Center Alex Mack, who won the Draddy Trophy for academic and athletic success, continues to accumulate praise for coming back for his senior season. He received third team All-America honors from the Associated Press on Tuesday. Mack flirted with the idea of entering draft last year but decided to stay at Berkeley. He has been named to four All-America teams in the last week and was awarded the Draddy, known as the "Academic Heisman."

"I've never seen anything like it. I had no idea of the enormity of what goes on there," said Tedford, who had not been to the National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame dinner, which he attended for the trophy announcement. "There are people everywhere, (with a line) stretching outside the room.  "I think he was totally shocked, but he did a real nice job. The smile on his face was awesome."

Honolulu-bound: Cal's Emerald Bowl opponent, Miami, once again led the nation in overall Pro Bowl selections, but the Bears weren't far behind in starters. Miami's Andre Johnson, a receiver for the Houston Texans; Ray Lewis, a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens; and Ed Reed, a safety from Baltimore, will start in the game Feb. 8 in Honolulu. Cal's Tony Gonzalez, a Kansas City tight end, and Nnamdi Asomugha, a Raiders corner, also were picked to start.   "It was crazy," Asomugha said. "I was in bed just chilling, just trying to figure out what remote place I was going to go to and hide out, but then John (Herrera) called me and let me know. I was like, 'Are you serious? Could that really happen?'  "He was like, 'I'm serious.' I was like, 'Don't lie to me, you know, that's not fair.' And he's like, 'No, no it really happened,' so I just started going crazy."

Miami also had three reserves named to the Pro Bowl: Indianapolis receiver Reggie Wayne, Washington running back Clinton Portis and Carolina linebacker Jon Beason.  "At the beginning of an NFL game, you see Reed getting an interception. Then, you see Willis McGahee, Lewis, Portis and Santana Moss," Miami coach Randy Shannon said. "You watch that game, and you say, 'Wow, this is really what Miami is about.' "

Briefly: Mack, tailback Jahvid Best, outside linebacker Zack Follett, cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson and punter Bryan Anger were honorable mentions to Sports Illustrated's All-America team.