On his final day as Fresno State football coach, Jeff Tedford the human being emerges
“Hi honey.”
Before taking the podium to announce his resignation as Fresno State football coach, Jeff Tedford’s first two words were directed at his wife, Donna.
Tedford next scanned the room with heavy eyes and seemed genuinely startled at the number of people — members of the media, university employees and boosters — who came to see him say goodbye.
“I didn’t expect this kind of turnout,” he said with all modesty.
In some ways, Friday’s announcement was a surprise. Despite the disappointing 4-8 record, there was no indication or inkling the 2019 season would be Tedford’s last on the sideline. Players and assistant coaches, several of whom were on the road recruiting, were caught off guard in equal measure.
In others, this wasn’t much of a surprise at all. Tedford’s health issues, which in 2014 cut short his tenure as Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator, were well known. While it’s fair to wonder whether this year’s struggles caused Tedford’s heart problems to re-emerge or whether his heart problems contributed to this year’s struggles, in the end it doesn’t really matter.
“I’ve been advised that the stresses and anxiety of this job do not match up some of my cardiac issues,” he said.
It was somewhat jarring to hear the normally reserved Tedford discuss his health so candidly. The 58-year-old recalled going to see his cardiologist three weeks ago after feeling symptoms and how he sneaked in through the back door so as not to cause a commotion. He told us his resting heart rate jumped from 48 to 167 beats per minute and how his heart “had to get shocked back into rhythm a couple of times.” He informed us he had another procedure, a cardiac ablation, scheduled next month at the Mayo Clinic.
“This isn’t about anything else but my health,” Tedford said when asked about his reasons for transitioning into an advisory role for Fresno State Athletic Director Terry Tumey.
“There is no hidden agenda here, I can assure you about that. This has solely to do with health.”
While the timing of Tedford’s departure is far from ideal — it’s 12 days until the start of the early signing period and the Cal State University system mandates a 14-day waiting period between when jobs are posted and new hires can be made — any pain will be short-term.
The bigger, more lasting takeaway should be an appreciation for how quickly and forcefully Tedford resurrected a program that went 3-9 and 1-11 in the two seasons before his arrival.
This will be Tedford’s legacy at Fresno State, his alma mater: the “monumental” turnaround (Tumey’s descriptor) capped by the 2018 Mountain West championship won on Boise State’s blue turf. Not the suddenness of his departure.
Under Tedford, the Bulldogs became bulldogs again. With pride, tradition, a re-emphasis on character, nutrition and academics, not to mention a roster stocked with players raised in the San Joaquin Valley.
“There is a lot of talent in that room,” Tedford said, meaning the Fresno State locker room, “and the future is very bright.”
Had his health permitted, I’m certain Tedford would’ve stuck around a while longer. Long enough, at least, to see Fresno State make much-needed improvements to Bulldog Stadium and its football facilities. Which is something Tedford also emphasized in his departing comments as both Tumey and President Joseph Castro, seated by himself in the front row, nodded in agreement.
For his part, Tumey pledged the search for Tedford’s successor “will not take long. It’ll be fast and efficient.” Which leads me to believe Tumey already has a short list of candidates in mind.
(If Kalen DeBoer, Tedford’s former offensive coordinator now at Indiana, winds up with the job as has been rumored by national pundits, that would be an excellent choice.)
But before we head too far down that tunnel, let’s pause to recognize Tedford for what he accomplished in three seasons and the person he is.
Tedford, during interviews and press conferences, is not someone who does a lot of sharing. He’ll answer questions, certainly. But he prefers not to give too much away.
On Friday, we got to see a different side of the man. He was no longer a coach previewing an opponent, explaining clock management or discussing a player’s attributes. Instead, we got to see and hear his genuine feelings. Experience his emotions.
“I have been (coaching and playing football) for a long time, and it’s time to put my priorities in other places,” Tedford said. “And that’s family and health.”
Because being the head coach of a college football team is such a prestigious gig, not to mention highly paid with plenty of perks, it’s easy to forget they are also human beings. With stresses, anxieties and pressures most of us will never experience or fully comprehend.
Moments such as Friday’s serve as a good reminder.
“My wife and sons have sacrificed a lot,” Tedford said with voice trembling and eyes watering, “and now it’s time to live.”
You’ve more than earned that time, Coach. Enjoy.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 3:20 PM.
