The cover of Cal's 2012 media guide says simply "Welcome Home," a nod to on-campus Memorial Stadium being open for business again following a 21-month remodeling.

The motto Bears football coach Jeff Tedford hopes attaches to his team, however, is "Welcome Back."

Tedford was once one of college coaching's flavors of the month when he led Cal to a surprisingly quick rebirth upon taking over in 2002. But since a 10-3 season in 2006, the Bears have mostly spun their wheels, often regarded as a team expected to do a lot in the preseason, then rarely delivering.

The Bears are 20-18 the past three seasons, 12-15 in conference games.

That has some speculating whether Tedford, who at 79-48 has more wins than any coach in school history, is on the hot seat, especially with a lot of seats to fill to pay for the $321 million Memorial Stadium remodel.

In Los Angeles last month, though, Tedford seemed anything but stressed and said he thinks the glory days are close to returning.

He pointed to the way the Bears ended last season – winning three of the last four Pacific-12 Conference games, with the lone loss a 31-28 defeat at Stanford – and the return of much of his offense.

"We were definitely on an upward trend," Tedford said. "The bowl game (a 21-10 loss to Texas in the Holiday Bowl) probably put a downer on that to make it feel like it wasn't. But it was."

The loss to the Longhorns, in which Cal gained just 195 yards, left the Bears 7-6 overall.

Tedford, though, says quarterback Zach Maynard is ready for a big senior year. Finding a consistent quarterback has been one of Tedford's biggest issues the past few years, somewhat confounding considering he was the assistant who groomed Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith and Joey Harrington, with Aaron Rodgers coming early in Tedford's Cal career.

Maynard, a transfer from Buffalo, predictably was erratic in his first Pac-12 season. One example was his off-target pass on the final play of the Huskies' 31-23 win over the Bears last September.

"Those are the ways you get better," Tedford said of the end of that game. "Those experiences you can grow from and learn from, and I'm sure he will."

Maynard can throw to one of the top receivers in the country, Keenan Allen, who is also his half-brother, or hand the ball to standout running back Isi Sofele (1,322 yards last season).

Cal has turned into one of the better defensive teams in the conference the past few years. The Bears allowed 358 yards per Pac-12 game in 2012, second to Stanford.

Just five starters return off that unit, but defensive tackle Aaron Tipoti and cornerback Marc Anthony are potential all-conference players.

Tedford also has high hopes for junior end Deandre Coleman, who will be asked to step in for the graduated Trevor Guyton.

Tedford said Coleman "had a great spring. I can't wait to see him play this year. I really think he's ready to come into his own.

"He's always been big and physical and a specimen that way, but now he's just cutting it loose. He's got a great understanding and really playing fast. I think you are going to see big things from him this year."

Cal figures to be primed for Washington's return to Berkeley on Nov. 2, a rare Friday night game. By then, the Bears will be well acquainted with their new stadium.

The Wasington-Cal rivalry has been stoked by three Husky wins the past three seasons, as well as Washington's offseason raiding of the Bears' coaching staff. Washington coach Steve Sarkisian hired Eric Kiesau as offensive coordinator and master recruiter Tosh Lupoi as defensive-line coach.

Tedford said he doesn't hold a grudge.

"Not at all," he said. "That game will be about our team against their team. We (coaches) don't play the game, so this is going to be about two teams and what will probably be a pivotal game in the season for both teams."

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