The TK Show: A Show about sports in the Bay Area [North & South] Have We Lost College Football? Imai Likes the Giants?
Dec 1, 2025
Dylan Hernandez, a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times known for his insights on college football and Japanese baseball, joins Tim Kawakami for a captivating discussion. They delve into the struggles of UCLA, Cal, and Stanford football, questioning if any coaching hire can bring long-term success. The hosts also analyze the impact of the Pac-12’s breakup on college football's popularity in California. Plus, they touch on the Giants' potential interest in Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai and the intricacies of contract negotiations with Scott Boras.
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California College Football Losing Its Luster
- California college football has become a harder sell despite attractive campuses and alumni backing.
- Tim Kawakami and Dylan Hernandez say market forces, facilities and NIL still struggle to restore sustained excitement.
Prefer Coaches With A Reliable Floor
- Hire coaches who provide a clear baseline, not just upside.
- Dylan and Tim suggest picking coaches with known floors to avoid catastrophic program declines.
Different Paths For Bay Area Programs
- Stanford, Cal and UCLA currently occupy different realistic goals and hiring strategies.
- Tim argues Stanford seeks stability while Cal might swing for a high-upside coach and UCLA is somewhere in between.