The University of California had fielded a competitive football team since 1886.
However, in 1906 it began playing rugby instead of football.
This was because by that time football was considered a dangerous sport that could lead to serious injuries.
California switched back to football in 1915, partly due to the fact that by that time rule changes made the game considerably safer.
Due to his reputation, Smith was recruited to come out west and became the first head coach of California's golden era.

In 1916, his first year at Cal, Smith posted 6 wins, 4 losses and 3 ties.
In 1918, Cal won its first Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) championship.
Also in 1918 Smith hired future Cal football and basketball head coach Clarence Nibs Price as his assistant.
Price had a southern California connection and was able to recruit key players to the team including Harold "Brick" Muller.
The 1919 freshmen team went 11-1 and became the core of next year's varsity squad, to be known as the "Wonder Team."
The 1920 Golden Bears team won all 9 games, outscored their opponents, 510 to 14, and capped off the season by defeating Ohio State in the Tournament of Roses East-West Game (now known as the Rose Bowl)  28–0.
The NCAA has officially recognized them as the national champion of that season, the first from the Pacific Coast. "
The Wonder Team at California in 1920 changed the entire picture of Western football."

Next year the 1921 Golden Bears also finished undefeated and were again invited to play in the Rose Bowl.
Smith initially declined this invitation because he thought it was problematic that Cal's opponent, a little known team named the Washington and Jefferson Presidents, had players better than the average college, and at the same time had scholarship requirements well below California's.
Eventually Smith agreed to the match.
With California being the overwhelming favorite, the match went nothing like it was expected.
Because of the heavy rain the night before, it was played in a virtual mud pit.
Both defenses were able to hold off their opponents and the game finished in a 0–0 tie.
This Rose Bowl was Smith's last.

The 1922 team was also undefeated and won the PCC.
And same with the 1923 team.
Both years the teams were invited to the Rose Bowl, however because of Smith's continuing disputes with the Rose Bowl committee, California declined both invitations.
Like the 1920 team, the 1921 and 1922 teams are recognized as a national champion by the NCAA.
On January 1, 1925, instead of the Rose Bowl, the 1924 Bears played an independently scheduled game against Pennsylvania at California's Memorial Stadium.
Cal had 7 wins, 0 losses, and 2 ties, while 1924 Penn had 9 wins and 1 tie.
Some consider Penn to be the best team of that year.
California won that game 14–0.
During an incredible five-season span from 1920 to 1924, Smith's "Wonder Teams" went undefeated, running up a record of 44 wins, 0 losses and 4 ties.

Even though the two had never met during the Roaring Twenties, Smith's "Wonder Teams" are thought to rival Knute Rockne's Notre Dame teams.
Furthermore, when in 1960 the Helms Athletic Foundation considered both the Wonder Teams and the Four Horsemen among others, it crowned the 1920 Cal Bears as the greatest football team in American history.
The University of California had fielded a competitive football team since 1886. However, in 1906 it began playing rugby instead of football. This was because by that time football was considered a dangerous sport that could lead to serious injuries. California switched back to football in 1915, partly due to the fact that by that time rule changes made the game considerably safer. Due to his reputation, Smith was recruited to come out west and became the first head coach of California's golden era.
In 1916, his first year at Cal, Smith posted 6 wins, 4 losses and 3 ties. In 1918, Cal won its first Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) championship. Also in 1918 Smith hired future Cal football and basketball head coach Clarence Nibs Price as his assistant. Price had a southern California connection and was able to recruit key players to the team including Harold "Brick" Muller. The 1919 freshmen team went 11-1 and became the core of next year's varsity squad, to be known as the "Wonder Team." The 1920 Golden Bears team won all 9 games, outscored their opponents, 510 to 14, and capped off the season by defeating Ohio State in the Tournament of Roses East-West Game (now known as the Rose Bowl)  28–0. The NCAA has officially recognized them as the national champion of that season, the first from the Pacific Coast. "The Wonder Team at California in 1920 changed the entire picture of Western football."
Next year the 1921 Golden Bears also finished undefeated and were again invited to play in the Rose Bowl. Smith initially declined this invitation because he thought it was problematic that Cal's opponent, a little known team named the Washington and Jefferson Presidents, had players better than the average college, and at the same time had scholarship requirements well below California's. Eventually Smith agreed to the match. With California being the overwhelming favorite, the match went nothing like it was expected. Because of the heavy rain the night before, it was played in a virtual mud pit. Both defenses were able to hold off their opponents and the game finished in a 0–0 tie. This Rose Bowl was Smith's last. 
The 1922 team was also undefeated and won the PCC. And same with the 1923 team. Both years the teams were invited to the Rose Bowl, however because of Smith's continuing disputes with the Rose Bowl committee, California declined both invitations. Like the 1920 team, the 1921 and 1922 teams are recognized as a national champion by the NCAA. On January 1, 1925, instead of the Rose Bowl, the 1924 Bears played an independently scheduled game against Pennsylvania at California's Memorial Stadium. Cal had 7 wins, 0 losses, and 2 ties, while 1924 Penn had 9 wins and 1 tie. Some consider Penn to be the best team of that year. California won that game 14–0. During an incredible five-season span from 1920 to 1924, Smith's "Wonder Teams" went undefeated, running up a record of 44 wins, 0 losses and 4 ties.
Even though the two had never met during the Roaring Twenties, Smith's "Wonder Teams" are thought to rival Knute Rockne's Notre Dame teams. Furthermore, when in 1960 the Helms Athletic Foundation considered both the Wonder Teams and the Four Horsemen among others, it crowned the 1920 Cal Bears as the greatest football team in American history.
Andy Smith (American football)