Cal defensive coordinator heads to Boise State

Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory, in a surprising move, left the Bears on Wednesday to become a defensive assistant at Boise State. Gregory, 46, was one of coach Jeff Tedford’s original hires at Cal, in 2002. His departure came two weeks after Cal brought aboard a recruiting class ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation, including highly regarded defensive players. “This was Coach Gregory’s decision all the way to make what he feels is the best move for his family,” Tedford said in a statement. “I admire Bob as a professional and a friend.” Tedford’s reference to Gregory making the decision was noteworthy, given the likely public perception he was forced out. It’s curious to note Gregory was named a “defensive assistant” at Boise State and not defensive coordinator. – San Francisco Chronicle

Idaho AD refuses to board Boise St.-themed plane

The Boise State vs. Idaho rivalry has taken to some not-so-friendly skies. University of Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear says he declined to board a Horizon Air flight after learning the airplane was painted in Boise State’s blue and orange colors. Spear was traveling to Boise on Saturday for fundraising events. He requested another flight and then drove about 90 miles north to fly from the Spokane, Wash., airport to Boise. Boise State and Horizon Air unveiled the plane, which sports the team logo on its tail, as an ode to the Broncos earlier this month. Spear says he’ll board the plane after Horizon Air paints an airplane for the Vandals, whose football team will try to beat the No. 6 Broncos this Saturday for the first time since 1998. – Idaho

Oregon coach Chip Kelly to reinstatement of LeGarette Blount?

University of Oregon football coach Chip Kelly has called a press conference for 11 a.m. Friday to discuss the possible reinstatement of LeGarette Blount to full participation with the Ducks’ football team. Blount, a senior running back, was suspended from play for the rest of the season after punching a Boise State player and attempting to go into the stands to confront hecklers after Oregon lost to the Broncos 19-8 on Sept. 3. – Statesman Journal

Paul Wulff Feeling Heat at Washington State

Paul Wulff, Washington State. Washington State has never competed for national titles, but in 2008, it got downright macabre. Wulff is only in his second season, but is not the losses themselves, but how they’ve lost. In year one, they gave up at least 39 points EIGHT times. Pac-10 contenders outscored them 257-45 . . .at Pullman. The One that could always be counted on is the Cougars being pesky in the Paloose. And try this one on for size. In four seasons under Bill Doba, the Cougars never surrendered 60 points. In 2008, four teams lit them up for that number, and two others scored 50+. The first two games of 2009 don’t give much hope. The Cougars opened with two home games and gave up 39 and 38 points. Should Wulff survive this year, he may be forced to make CO-Defensive Coordinators Chris Ball and Jody Sears walk the plank. Some Wulff advocates say it’s hard to recruit there, but that’s always been the case. Of course, Chris Petersen at Boise State isn’t making it any easier. - AC

Al Groh on Short Leash at Virginia

Now here comes TCU, which despite what we’ve seen from Boise State and BYU, could be the best non-BCS team. This game is a beatdown if there ever was one, right? These are also the type of games Groh’s teams have won in the past, including upsets of West Virginia (2002), Virginia Tech (2003), Florida State (2005) and Georgia Tech (2008). Lose Saturday, and the Cavs may not win again until October—and by that time, Richmond coach and former UVa defensive coordinator Mike London, will be the clear favorite for the job. – Sporting News