Wednesday, January 04, 2006

SF Chronicle: Former aides at Cal rejoin Tedford's staff

Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer

Cal coach Jeff Tedford has turned to some familiar faces in filling two vacancies on his staff.  Dan Ferrigno, who coached with Tedford at Oregon and has two previous stints at Cal, has been hired to coach wide receivers.  Bob Foster, who was a key coach in Tedford's first year at Cal and also a former colleague at Oregon, has been hired to coach linebackers.  Ferrigno replaces Eric Kiesau, who is leaving to become coordinator of the passing game at Colorado. Foster replaces Justin Wilcox, who will become defensive coordinator at Boise State.  Ferrigno coached at Cal from 1996 through '99 -- leaving for a job at USC and then spending the past five years at Oregon. He was a graduate assistant for the Bears in '80 and '81.  "He is a great fit for us and our program, and a great recruiter," Tedford said Tuesday in a statement.  "Cal is a much-changed program since I was last there and I really look forward to going to work," Ferrigno said.  Foster, who coached for 19 years at UC Davis and was defensive coordinator for two years at Oregon, served as a senior adviser on Tedford's first staff and also coached linebackers.

"He was an integral part of our program when we were getting started and it's exciting to have him back as part of the family," Tedford said.  "I enjoyed watching this team so much over the last few years that when the opportunity to return presented itself, I jumped at it," Foster said.  

Briefly: Offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan and center Marvin Philip will play in the 2006 Senior Bowl Jan. 26 in Mobile, Ala. The game is considered a showcase for top NFL prospects.

 

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