Look, I'm not trying to pile on but Wilcox has had 6+ years to prove he's the guy and has yet to do so. It's easy for me to say since I don't have the money but I think big donors should be talking and as soon as Ron Rivera's available they should be ready to pull the trigger to move on from Wilcox and bring Rivera home.

This year or next are likely to be Ron's last with Washington and he's maybe the only qualified coach with serious cachet who would come back to restore our program to excellence and we can't miss this opportunity. He's a University of California guy all the way and with his history and resume he could pull in elite recruiting and coordinators much like Deion to CU but with more substance behind it and more staying power because we wouldn't be terrified he would leave after one or two seasons.

Just my two-cents but I think this needs to be the next move. After next year Wilcox's buyout is much more manageable and that is the most likely switch to save our football program and athletic department for the long haul. Otherwise we could be staring down the barrel of another few years of mediocrity then another mediocre hire and being left out of the next round of college football expansion/consolidation

He will need to pay Wilcox's buy out. The AD has a strangle hold on the football program and we are slowly but assuredly dying.

Econ141 said:

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He will need to pay Wilcox's buy out. The AD has a strangle hold on the football program and we are slowly but assuredly dying.

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Or initially Ron might need to live off his buyout from the Commanders while we pay off Wilcox?

As I have been saying since he was hired, Knowlton was unqualified, is a horrible fit for Cal in this critical era of college sports and we will be lucky to even have a program when he is done.

Bearly Clad said:

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Look, I'm not trying to pile on but Wilcox has had 6+ years to prove he's the guy and has yet to do so. It's easy for me to say since I don't have the money but I think big donors should be talking and as soon as Ron Rivera's available they should be ready to pull the trigger to move on from Wilcox and bring Rivera home.

This year or next are likely to be Ron's last with Washington and he's maybe the only qualified coach with serious cachet who would come back to restore our program to excellence and we can't miss this opportunity. He's a University of California guy all the way and with his history and resume he could pull in elite recruiting and coordinators much like Deion to CU but with more substance behind it and more staying power because we wouldn't be terrified he would leave after one or two seasons.

Just my two-cents but I think this needs to be the next move. After next year Wilcox's buyout is much more manageable and that is the most likely switch to save our football program and athletic department for the long haul. Otherwise we could be staring down the barrel of another few years of mediocrity then another mediocre hire and being left out of the next round of college football expansion/consolidation

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It's a wonderful dream, but for starters, do you know that Ron wouldn't seek another NFL job? Would you wait til 25 on that possibility, meanwhile living with jw as is? I'm assuming that the new chancellor will choose a new ad during the summer. THAT's when all the options will be spun out. And, if the new chancellor isn't a sports person, esp. revenue sports, we could be back to square one.

Next Coach?

Jonathan Smith or Jake Dickert. Who would you pick.

I would pick Jeff Tedford.

BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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He could cover his first three years with his buyout.

Bobodeluxe said:

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BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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He could cover his first three years with his buyout.

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Nice.

BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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My pick as well but money aside I wonder if Tedford is even interested in leaving his alma mater to return to the school that dumped him when the going got rough despite him being basically the greatest Cal football coach in living memory. The man seems happy where he is right now.

kal kommie said:

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BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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My pick as well but money aside I wonder if Tedford is even interested in leaving his alma mater to return to the school that dumped him when the going got rough despite him being basically the greatest Cal football coach in living memory. The man seems happy where he is right now.

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Even JT couldn't fix what's been going on with Cal football the last several years. Why would he come back to our problems? He's happy and ranked in the top 25 at his alma mater and will play Wyoming this week for the top of the MWC. The notion that a new HC will somehow get us back in the top 25 is ridiculous. See what happens in the ACC if that will make any difference, which I doubt. I have been living off the JT years for too long now and realize we will never be a football school which many of you dream of. In the meantime, support what we now have the best you can - Nick Saban wouldn't make a difference.

72CalBear said:

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kal kommie said:

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BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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My pick as well but money aside I wonder if Tedford is even interested in leaving his alma mater to return to the school that dumped him when the going got rough despite him being basically the greatest Cal football coach in living memory. The man seems happy where he is right now.

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Even JT couldn't fix what's been going on with Cal football the last several years. Why would he come back to our problems? He's happy and ranked in the top 25 at his alma mater and will play Wyoming this week for the top of the MWC. The notion that a new HC will somehow get us back in the top 25 is ridiculous. See what happens in the ACC if that will make any difference, which I doubt. I have been living off the JT years for too long now and realize we will never be a football school which many of you dream of. In the meantime, support what we now have the best you can - Nick Saban wouldn't make a difference.

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That is exactly what people were saying when Holmoe was our coach.

Coaching matters. Wilcox is slightly better than Holmoe (in part because he was a very good (not great) DC, while Holmoe was terrible even that capacity.

Holmoe was arguably a better recruiter than Wilcox

Someone under 61 years old

kal kommie said:

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BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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My pick as well but money aside I wonder if Tedford is even interested in leaving his alma mater to return to the school that dumped him when the going got rough despite him being basically the greatest Cal football coach in living memory. The man seems happy where he is right now.

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I like JT but our football academics absolutely tanked under his watch. I think we would've stuck with him had the APR not cratered.

southseasbear said:

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72CalBear said:

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kal kommie said:

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BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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My pick as well but money aside I wonder if Tedford is even interested in leaving his alma mater to return to the school that dumped him when the going got rough despite him being basically the greatest Cal football coach in living memory. The man seems happy where he is right now.

---

Even JT couldn't fix what's been going on with Cal football the last several years. Why would he come back to our problems? He's happy and ranked in the top 25 at his alma mater and will play Wyoming this week for the top of the MWC. The notion that a new HC will somehow get us back in the top 25 is ridiculous. See what happens in the ACC if that will make any difference, which I doubt. I have been living off the JT years for too long now and realize we will never be a football school which many of you dream of. In the meantime, support what we now have the best you can - Nick Saban wouldn't make a difference.

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That is exactly what people were saying when Holmoe was our coach.

Coaching matters. Wilcox is slightly better than Holmoe (in part because he was a very good (not great) DC, while Holmoe was terrible even that capacity.

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Wilcox=Holmoe

Tedford took Holmoes players and won 7 games his first year. The same team that went 1-10. I can't fathom any new coach taking this current roster to better than 5 wins - though I suppose the portal is a significant new variable.

Rushinbear said:

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Bearly Clad said:

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Look, I'm not trying to pile on but Wilcox has had 6+ years to prove he's the guy and has yet to do so. It's easy for me to say since I don't have the money but I think big donors should be talking and as soon as Ron Rivera's available they should be ready to pull the trigger to move on from Wilcox and bring Rivera home.

This year or next are likely to be Ron's last with Washington and he's maybe the only qualified coach with serious cachet who would come back to restore our program to excellence and we can't miss this opportunity. He's a University of California guy all the way and with his history and resume he could pull in elite recruiting and coordinators much like Deion to CU but with more substance behind it and more staying power because we wouldn't be terrified he would leave after one or two seasons.

Just my two-cents but I think this needs to be the next move. After next year Wilcox's buyout is much more manageable and that is the most likely switch to save our football program and athletic department for the long haul. Otherwise we could be staring down the barrel of another few years of mediocrity then another mediocre hire and being left out of the next round of college football expansion/consolidation

---

It's a wonderful dream, but for starters, do you know that Ron wouldn't seek another NFL job? Would you wait til 25 on that possibility, meanwhile living with jw as is? I'm assuming that the new chancellor will choose a new ad during the summer. THAT's when all the options will be spun out. And, if the new chancellor isn't a sports person, esp. revenue sports, we could be back to square one.

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Ron has said he wants to coach Cal before he is done coaching, so there is that….

calumnus said:

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Rushinbear said:

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Bearly Clad said:

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Look, I'm not trying to pile on but Wilcox has had 6+ years to prove he's the guy and has yet to do so. It's easy for me to say since I don't have the money but I think big donors should be talking and as soon as Ron Rivera's available they should be ready to pull the trigger to move on from Wilcox and bring Rivera home.

This year or next are likely to be Ron's last with Washington and he's maybe the only qualified coach with serious cachet who would come back to restore our program to excellence and we can't miss this opportunity. He's a University of California guy all the way and with his history and resume he could pull in elite recruiting and coordinators much like Deion to CU but with more substance behind it and more staying power because we wouldn't be terrified he would leave after one or two seasons.

Just my two-cents but I think this needs to be the next move. After next year Wilcox's buyout is much more manageable and that is the most likely switch to save our football program and athletic department for the long haul. Otherwise we could be staring down the barrel of another few years of mediocrity then another mediocre hire and being left out of the next round of college football expansion/consolidation

---

It's a wonderful dream, but for starters, do you know that Ron wouldn't seek another NFL job? Would you wait til 25 on that possibility, meanwhile living with jw as is? I'm assuming that the new chancellor will choose a new ad during the summer. THAT's when all the options will be spun out. And, if the new chancellor isn't a sports person, esp. revenue sports, we could be back to square one.

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Ron has said he wants to coach Cal before he is done coaching, so there is that….

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I think he'd be the best choice, as of now. He would draw interest like someone else we know, but with superior coaching chops.

Rushinbear said:

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calumnus said:

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Rushinbear said:

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Bearly Clad said:

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Look, I'm not trying to pile on but Wilcox has had 6+ years to prove he's the guy and has yet to do so. It's easy for me to say since I don't have the money but I think big donors should be talking and as soon as Ron Rivera's available they should be ready to pull the trigger to move on from Wilcox and bring Rivera home.

This year or next are likely to be Ron's last with Washington and he's maybe the only qualified coach with serious cachet who would come back to restore our program to excellence and we can't miss this opportunity. He's a University of California guy all the way and with his history and resume he could pull in elite recruiting and coordinators much like Deion to CU but with more substance behind it and more staying power because we wouldn't be terrified he would leave after one or two seasons.

Just my two-cents but I think this needs to be the next move. After next year Wilcox's buyout is much more manageable and that is the most likely switch to save our football program and athletic department for the long haul. Otherwise we could be staring down the barrel of another few years of mediocrity then another mediocre hire and being left out of the next round of college football expansion/consolidation

---

It's a wonderful dream, but for starters, do you know that Ron wouldn't seek another NFL job? Would you wait til 25 on that possibility, meanwhile living with jw as is? I'm assuming that the new chancellor will choose a new ad during the summer. THAT's when all the options will be spun out. And, if the new chancellor isn't a sports person, esp. revenue sports, we could be back to square one.

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Ron has said he wants to coach Cal before he is done coaching, so there is that….

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I think he'd be the best choice, as of now. He would draw interest like someone else we know, but with superior coaching chops.

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Even if he decides to join us, we would still need the school administrators to give him a lot of control like what Colorado did for Deion Sanders. I'm not sure if that will happen anytime soon.

This is true. Any prospective coach worth anything will want that.

Garrett Riley. OC at Clemson
Sherrone Moore, OC at Michigan
Alex Atkins, OC at Florida State

But - Riley and Atkins are ACC people. Doubt they would ever permit them be hired by us. The OC from Ohio State. Brian Hartline. He would be good.

CarmelBear said:

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Tedford took Holmoes players and won 7 games his first year. The same team that went 1-10. I can't fathom any new coach taking this current roster to better than 5 wins - though I suppose the portal is a significant new variable.

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Any great coach would have this team playing with far greater confidence and competence. We'd be 4-1 feeling very good about next week,

calumnus said:

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Rushinbear said:

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Bearly Clad said:

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Look, I'm not trying to pile on but Wilcox has had 6+ years to prove he's the guy and has yet to do so. It's easy for me to say since I don't have the money but I think big donors should be talking and as soon as Ron Rivera's available they should be ready to pull the trigger to move on from Wilcox and bring Rivera home.

This year or next are likely to be Ron's last with Washington and he's maybe the only qualified coach with serious cachet who would come back to restore our program to excellence and we can't miss this opportunity. He's a University of California guy all the way and with his history and resume he could pull in elite recruiting and coordinators much like Deion to CU but with more substance behind it and more staying power because we wouldn't be terrified he would leave after one or two seasons.

Just my two-cents but I think this needs to be the next move. After next year Wilcox's buyout is much more manageable and that is the most likely switch to save our football program and athletic department for the long haul. Otherwise we could be staring down the barrel of another few years of mediocrity then another mediocre hire and being left out of the next round of college football expansion/consolidation

---

It's a wonderful dream, but for starters, do you know that Ron wouldn't seek another NFL job? Would you wait til 25 on that possibility, meanwhile living with jw as is? I'm assuming that the new chancellor will choose a new ad during the summer. THAT's when all the options will be spun out. And, if the new chancellor isn't a sports person, esp. revenue sports, we could be back to square one.

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Ron has said he wants to coach Cal before he is done coaching, so there is that….

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Well, let's hurry up with that: The man's not getting any younger... and nor are we!

StillNoStanfurdium said:

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kal kommie said:

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BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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My pick as well but money aside I wonder if Tedford is even interested in leaving his alma mater to return to the school that dumped him when the going got rough despite him being basically the greatest Cal football coach in living memory. The man seems happy where he is right now.

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I like JT but our football academics absolutely tanked under his watch. I think we would've stuck with him had the APR not cratered.

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Academics tanked when the AD cut his budget for academic support and tutors had to be laid off. There was a reason Sandy could not fire him for cause.

We simply CANNOT suffer ANY MORE TIME in mediocrity. There is zero time for this. We have to make BOLD moves to pay off that billion dollar stadium. There's no more hemming and hawing, the die has been cast. That debt is hanging heavily over the program and University's head. So in some ways, we're super lucky because the admin. has NO CHOICE but to go big. This is actually a great position to be in. Imagine if we never did do the stadium and high performance athletic center. You think the admin would be taking this seriously? Nope. This would be THE excuse they've been looking for for decades to finally shut down football and return California to its "pristine, academic" roots, with no athletics sullying their intellectual reputation.

And if they don't? Then they're derelict in their duty and should be fired for cause. EVERY SINGLE FUTURE contract California signs should have THIS BOLD LANGUAGE IN EVERY SINGLE CONTRACT that's iron-clad and non-negotiable. You either succeed, or you suffer financial consequences.

Give big bonuses for success, draconian penalties for failure. Step up, get it done, and prosper. Fail and go home with your tail between your legs.

And if it works, then great. If not, we can say we tried and did pretty much everything in our power and intellect to take college football serious. Then they can dismantle the program and build "California School of Medicine" in Memorial's shell.

Disagree with you. It's starts with OL. Holmoes recruits formed a very formidable OL in JTs first year. This current line is poor to average currently. We haven't had a lineman drafted since 2013?

But again - the portal offers some immediate help IF the new hire could attract the caliber of lineman he needs.

"The administration". What is that? There really is no current administration. We have a lame duck chancellor. And Knowlton is presumably a dead man walking. (Hopefully).

It's really in the Regents wheelhouse now. The UC Oresident Drake helped with the ACC negotiations. Presumably he has a sense of the desperation with making big moves. But will that translate into the dough necessary ? I don't know. I know some of the whale donors are cautiously optimistic about the next chancellor. There's always hope here at Cal….

Rushinbear said:

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Bearly Clad said:

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Look, I'm not trying to pile on but Wilcox has had 6+ years to prove he's the guy and has yet to do so. It's easy for me to say since I don't have the money but I think big donors should be talking and as soon as Ron Rivera's available they should be ready to pull the trigger to move on from Wilcox and bring Rivera home.

This year or next are likely to be Ron's last with Washington and he's maybe the only qualified coach with serious cachet who would come back to restore our program to excellence and we can't miss this opportunity. He's a University of California guy all the way and with his history and resume he could pull in elite recruiting and coordinators much like Deion to CU but with more substance behind it and more staying power because we wouldn't be terrified he would leave after one or two seasons.

Just my two-cents but I think this needs to be the next move. After next year Wilcox's buyout is much more manageable and that is the most likely switch to save our football program and athletic department for the long haul. Otherwise we could be staring down the barrel of another few years of mediocrity then another mediocre hire and being left out of the next round of college football expansion/consolidation

---

It's a wonderful dream, but for starters, do you know that Ron wouldn't seek another NFL job? Would you wait til 25 on that possibility, meanwhile living with jw as is? I'm assuming that the new chancellor will choose a new ad during the summer. THAT's when all the options will be spun out. And, if the new chancellor isn't a sports person, esp. revenue sports, we could be back to square one.

---

No one knows except Ron, but there'd be advantages. Most likely, his next NFL offer would be as a DC, not as HC. His health (publicly reported) might be an issue for a lot of NFL teams.

Cal would welcome him with open arms. He has coaching experience - this isn't a Joe Kapp type situation. While I wouldn't expect Deion Sanders effect - I would expect his hiring to excite donors and drive ticket sales. He's known for defensive orientation, so the good players on defense most likely stay and Ron builds on that. Hopefully Ron would attract quality players on offense to come as well. Maybe we keep Spavital, or maybe we go shopping.

My suspicion is that Coach Rivera and the Commanders will part relatively amicably. The post about him having a cushion on arrival shouldn't be dismissed. This deal may have to be creatively crafted - with more money on the back end of the contract to facilitate the JW buyout.

I also want to say this - there are a lot of things I like about Wilcox and after the tail end of Tedford and then the disastrous Sonny Dykes era, I really thought he'd get the program back on track. I was even willing to overlook the COVID seasons. But it is clear that we are just treading water. At this point, I'm not looking for miracles, but I think 7-win seasons should be achievable, and I think Ron could do that.

It is established fact that the University as a whole seems to just tolerate football. But barely. They have never given it serious support, never really felt we were a "good fit" for football, given our cache as a top-flight research university. This is the "administration." For you to call me out on this is hilarious. Nice way to nitpick when the Hindenburg is alight.

The disastrous Sunny Dykes era? The Wilcox era has been more disastrous than the Sonny Dykes era. We're back to Holmoe-like performance now.

southseasbear said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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kal kommie said:

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BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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My pick as well but money aside I wonder if Tedford is even interested in leaving his alma mater to return to the school that dumped him when the going got rough despite him being basically the greatest Cal football coach in living memory. The man seems happy where he is right now.

---

I like JT but our football academics absolutely tanked under his watch. I think we would've stuck with him had the APR not cratered.

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Academics tanked when the AD cut his budget for academic support and tutors had to laid off. There was a reason Sandy could not fire him for cause.

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Thanks for adding that bit of information. I've long wondered why there's a lot of blame for Tedford and the academic situation when it should be the Athletic Department's responsibility across all sports and coaches. If it's true that we barely had any academic support, I think that's on the AD.

Golden One said:

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The disastrous Sunny Dykes era? The Wilcox era has been more disastrous than the Sonny Dykes era. We're back to Holmoe-like performance now.

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Two bowl games vs. one and JW has 11 more wins (yes in more seasons) than Dykes.

Two things can be true, y'know? Both can be bad. I'm not saying JW is great, but he's better than Dykes or Holmoe in terms of the record at Cal. JW reminds me most of Keith Gilbertson in terms of not making progress.

On edit:

For those playing at home:

(games/W-L)

Keith Gilbertson 46/20-26 (43%)
Tom Holmoe 51/12-39 (24%)
Sonny Dykes 49/19-30 (39%)
Justin Wilcox 66/30-36 (45%)

ninetyfourbear said:

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southseasbear said:

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StillNoStanfurdium said:

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kal kommie said:

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BearHunter said:

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I would pick Jeff Tedford.

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My pick as well but money aside I wonder if Tedford is even interested in leaving his alma mater to return to the school that dumped him when the going got rough despite him being basically the greatest Cal football coach in living memory. The man seems happy where he is right now.

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I like JT but our football academics absolutely tanked under his watch. I think we would've stuck with him had the APR not cratered.

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Academics tanked when the AD cut his budget for academic support and tutors had to laid off. There was a reason Sandy could not fire him for cause.

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Thanks for adding that bit of information. I've long wondered why there's a lot of blame for Tedford and the academic situation when it should be the Athletic Department's responsibility across all sports and coaches. If it's true that we barely had any academic support, I think that's on the AD.

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And you believe that?

Coaching isn't the problem. Even if Wilcox sucks, the chances of finding a Tedford are insanely slim.

There is no reason to throw money away paying Wilcox not to coach unless we have a fix for the institutional problems. OTOH throwing money away is the only thing Cal is good at. And water based sports.

SoFlaBear said:

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Golden One said:

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The disastrous Sunny Dykes era? The Wilcox era has been more disastrous than the Sonny Dykes era. We're back to Holmoe-like performance now.

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Two bowl games vs. one and JW has 11 more wins (yes in more seasons) than Dykes.

Two things can be true, y'know? Both can be bad. I'm not saying JW is great, but he's better than Dykes or Holmoe in terms of the record at Cal. JW reminds me most of Keith Gilbertson in terms of not making progress.

On edit:

For those playing at home:

(games/W-L)

Keith Gilbertson 46/20-26 (43%)
Tom Holmoe 51/12-39 (24%)
Sonny Dykes 49/19-30 (39%)
Justin Wilcox 66/30-36 (45%)

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Wilcox had the good fortune of coaching during the Helton era for USC, the Lake era for Washington, and the early Kelly years at UCLA. Now he's finally having to face the tough PAC 12 competition that Tedford experienced throughout his years at Cal and he's failing miserably.

DoubtfulBear said:

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SoFlaBear said:

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Golden One said:

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The disastrous Sunny Dykes era? The Wilcox era has been more disastrous than the Sonny Dykes era. We're back to Holmoe-like performance now.

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Two bowl games vs. one and JW has 11 more wins (yes in more seasons) than Dykes.

Two things can be true, y'know? Both can be bad. I'm not saying JW is great, but he's better than Dykes or Holmoe in terms of the record at Cal. JW reminds me most of Keith Gilbertson in terms of not making progress.

On edit:

For those playing at home:

(games/W-L)

Keith Gilbertson 46/20-26 (43%)
Tom Holmoe 51/12-39 (24%)
Sonny Dykes 49/19-30 (39%)
Justin Wilcox 66/30-36 (45%)

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Wilcox had the good fortune of coaching during the Helton era for USC, the Lake era for Washington, and the early Kelly years at UCLA. Now he's finally having to face the tough PAC 12 competition that Tedford experienced throughout his years at Cal and he's failing miserably.

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Plus late Tedford and Dykes faced BCS level Stanford teams whereas Wilcox has gotten them after the S&C guy Harbaugh brought in got fired.