I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

Definitely needed 3 or 4 versions of this thread

CAL4LIFE said:

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I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

Ron's busy getting ready for next weeks radio broadcast.

Priorities.

HKBear97! said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

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I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

Fair points. However, if Cal wants to continue to be a P4 they better find a way. If not, that's fine too. I'm just tired of the rhetoric. Make better decisions.

CAL4LIFE said:

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HKBear97! said:

---

CAL4LIFE said:

---

I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

Fair points. However, if Cal wants to continue to be a P4 they better find a way. If not, that's fine too. I'm just tired of the rhetoric. Make better decisions.

---

I find it hard to believe that Rivera didn't know enough the day he was hired to know that Wilcox is not the answer. The same way Holmoe's goose was cooked the day Gladstone took the job. Like then, I assume the blocker is either political or money, most likely money. I'm damned sure he knows now that Wilcox needs to go and if he doesn't we have bigger problems. I can't imagine Cal put so much effort in bringing in coaches to Weekend at Bernies this guy if they had the money to fire him.

He will be fired shortly after an alum or group of alums walks in with $15M. I have no way of knowing if that has happened or when it will happen if not already.

$16 million is chump change when just taking ONE thing into account: our HALF A BILLION DOLLAR stadium retrofit. This alone justifies kicking WILSUX to the curb and with extreme prejudice.

But the future millions upon millions coming to the program are in total jeopardy right now.

If we do not act now, we continue tempt fate and see our program either completely nixed or downgraded to perpetual irrelevance in a lower conference. If that happens, then it's non-stop red tape until the stadium is somehow paid off, or the sunk cost just written off as a loss.

TandemBear said:

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$16 million is chump change when just taking ONE thing into account: our HALF A BILLION DOLLAR stadium retrofit. This alone justifies kicking WILSUX to the curb and with extreme prejudice.

But the future millions upon millions coming to the program are in total jeopardy right now.

If we do not act now, we continue tempt fate and see our program either completely nixed or downgraded to perpetual irrelevance in a lower conference. If that happens, then it's non-stop red tape until the stadium is somehow paid off, or the sunk cost just written off as a loss.

---

Cal football does not make nearly what you think it makes and the incremental increase in revenue between success and failure on the field is a fraction of that.

The next financial statements to come out which will cover the first year in the ACC will most likely be brutal as the conference fees Cal has come to rely on for half its football revenue drop precipitously.

bencgilmore said:

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Definitely needed 3 or 4 versions of this thread

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Maybe if we didn't get hundreds of versions of excuses about why we can't fire a losing football coach, we wouldn't need so many "fire this loser" threads.

HKBear97! said:

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01Bear said:

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HKBear97! said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

---

I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

You're 100% certain the payout has to be paid immediately upon termination? It's not paid out over the course of the contract's remaining term? That would be highly surprising (though given who drafted the deal for Cal, not surprising.)

---

Based on an earlier thread on this, the money is due as scheduled in his contract or payable in a lump sum that could be negotiated down (time value of money). Some believe it's a sunk cost, but without knowing the finances, it's doubtful $16 million is possible at this point in time given attendance, media deal, donor enthusiasm, etc. Moreover, the source of that $16 million due Wilcox is the same one that would be used to pay for a new coaching staff. For perspective, Cal paid around $5.5 million to buyout Tedford and $5.9 million to buyout Dykes. $16 million would be unprecedented for Cal. With his contract, $10.5 million is due after December 31, 2025 and that would still be nearly twice the amount paid to Tedford and Dykes.

No question Cal should part ways with Wilcox if it wants to compete, but financially it's unlikely that makes any sense at this point in time.

---

Short answer is that, no, Cal doesn't have to come up with all $16 million upon termination. Let's stop pretending it has to do so. Cal can stick to paying Wilsux for the agreed upon term, which IIRC is until 2028 and Wilsux will have a duty to mitigate that amount by finding another coaching job.

01Bear said:

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HKBear97! said:

---

01Bear said:

---

HKBear97! said:

---

CAL4LIFE said:

---

I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

You're 100% certain the payout has to be paid immediately upon termination? It's not paid out over the course of the contract's remaining term? That would be highly surprising (though given who drafted the deal for Cal, not surprising.)

---

Based on an earlier thread on this, the money is due as scheduled in his contract or payable in a lump sum that could be negotiated down (time value of money). Some believe it's a sunk cost, but without knowing the finances, it's doubtful $16 million is possible at this point in time given attendance, media deal, donor enthusiasm, etc. Moreover, the source of that $16 million due Wilcox is the same one that would be used to pay for a new coaching staff. For perspective, Cal paid around $5.5 million to buyout Tedford and $5.9 million to buyout Dykes. $16 million would be unprecedented for Cal. With his contract, $10.5 million is due after December 31, 2025 and that would still be nearly twice the amount paid to Tedford and Dykes.

No question Cal should part ways with Wilcox if it wants to compete, but financially it's unlikely that makes any sense at this point in time.

---

Short answer is that, no, Cal doesn't have to come up with all $16 million upon termination. Let's stop pretending it has to do so. Cal can stick to paying Wilsux for the agreed upon term, which IIRC is until 2028 and Wilsux will have a duty to mitigate that amount by finding another coaching job.

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And we get $30 million over the next 3 years courtesy of our Big Ten brethren down south

BearlyCareAnymore said:

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TandemBear said:

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$16 million is chump change when just taking ONE thing into account: our HALF A BILLION DOLLAR stadium retrofit. This alone justifies kicking WILSUX to the curb and with extreme prejudice.

But the future millions upon millions coming to the program are in total jeopardy right now.

If we do not act now, we continue tempt fate and see our program either completely nixed or downgraded to perpetual irrelevance in a lower conference. If that happens, then it's non-stop red tape until the stadium is somehow paid off, or the sunk cost just written off as a loss.

---

Cal football does not make nearly what you think it makes and the incremental increase in revenue between success and failure on the field is a fraction of that.

The next financial statements to come out which will cover the first year in the ACC will most likely be brutal as the conference fees Cal has come to rely on for half its football revenue drop precipitously.

---

The difference in media rights and subsequent monies between being in a P4 conference and otherwise is significant. It's life and death.

socaltownie said:

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HKBear97! said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

---

I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

Yeah - Though to be fair I am not sure all but the top 10 and then the most aggressive "want to be in the top 10" programs fire with 16 million. I do think that probably next year (end of it?) we are getting a change and everyone will know that. What I HOPE is that with the extra resources freed up by waiting a year Cal has the resources to go out and hire someone a step up from Wilcox/Sonny.....a proven winner at a G5 that can would be equally attractive to another mid/upper mid P4. Damaged goods gotten cheap gets you poor results.

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Don't put Sonny in the same class as Wilcox. Sonny got his TCU team in the National Championship game. Wilcox will never come close to that. He is a loser.

01Bear said:

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HKBear97! said:

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01Bear said:

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HKBear97! said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

---

I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

You're 100% certain the payout has to be paid immediately upon termination? It's not paid out over the course of the contract's remaining term? That would be highly surprising (though given who drafted the deal for Cal, not surprising.)

---

Based on an earlier thread on this, the money is due as scheduled in his contract or payable in a lump sum that could be negotiated down (time value of money). Some believe it's a sunk cost, but without knowing the finances, it's doubtful $16 million is possible at this point in time given attendance, media deal, donor enthusiasm, etc. Moreover, the source of that $16 million due Wilcox is the same one that would be used to pay for a new coaching staff. For perspective, Cal paid around $5.5 million to buyout Tedford and $5.9 million to buyout Dykes. $16 million would be unprecedented for Cal. With his contract, $10.5 million is due after December 31, 2025 and that would still be nearly twice the amount paid to Tedford and Dykes.

No question Cal should part ways with Wilcox if it wants to compete, but financially it's unlikely that makes any sense at this point in time.

---

Short answer is that, no, Cal doesn't have to come up with all $16 million upon termination. Let's stop pretending it has to do so. Cal can stick to paying Wilsux for the agreed upon term, which IIRC is until 2028 and Wilsux will have a duty to mitigate that amount by finding another coaching job.

---

He's owed the balance of his contract which I believe ends December 31, 2027. Cal is on the hook for that amount, which including this season is $16 million. They could either pay it over the life of the remaining contract or negotiate a smaller payout. Either way, the amount due Wilcox is approximately $16 million. Yes he has a duty to mitigate, but posters that know more about that topic have said it's very hard to enforce. I also have no insight into the finances, but others here have said it's paid from media revenues, ticket sales, and donations. Obviously the financial planning is in place to cover the balance of his contract, however if he's terminated, funds will need to be raised for a new coaching staff. As BearlyCareAnymore has pointed out, it appears the finances are not in great shape, so it's very difficult to see how this can be accomplished given Cal's current issues. Maybe Rivera can raise the support for a new coaching staff and the financial planning can cover both Wilcox's existing contract and the amount that would be needed for an entirely new staff. If Rivera can pull that off, he would be a miracle worker. If he could do that and hire an outstanding replacement, he might even be a god.

Either way, at 4-2 and given the finances, it's wishful thinking that Wilcox is going anywhere anytime soon.

socaltownie said:

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Golden One said:

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socaltownie said:

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with the extra resources freed up by waiting a year Cal has the resources to go out and hire someone a step up from Wilcox/Sonny.....a proven winner at a G5 that can would be equally attractive to another mid/upper mid P4. Damaged goods gotten cheap gets you poor results.

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Don't put Sonny in the same class as Wilcox. Sonny got his TCU team in the National Championship game. Wilcox will never come close to that. He is a loser.

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I am comparing the Sonny at the point that Cal hired him after firing Tedford.

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It wasn't Sonny that changed. He just went from a school that isn't serious about football to one that is.

BearlyCareAnymore said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

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HKBear97! said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

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I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

Fair points. However, if Cal wants to continue to be a P4 they better find a way. If not, that's fine too. I'm just tired of the rhetoric. Make better decisions.

---

I find it hard to believe that Rivera didn't know enough the day he was hired to know that Wilcox is not the answer. The same way Holmoe's goose was cooked the day Gladstone took the job. Like then, I assume the blocker is either political or money, most likely money. I'm damned sure he knows now that Wilcox needs to go and if he doesn't we have bigger problems. I can't imagine Cal put so much effort in bringing in coaches to Weekend at Bernies this guy if they had the money to fire him.

He will be fired shortly after an alum or group of alums walks in with $15M. I have no way of knowing if that has happened or when it will happen if not already.

---

I think Rivera has been working the alumni for a fund to buy out Wilcox should the decision be made to fire him. The total dollars are over $15M though if you want to hire a sitting HC and allow him to bring in his own staff. Cal no doubt has coaches on staff now that have buyout clauses in their contract. But the cost to remove Wilcox is sunk. He is getting paid regardless. It is the other costs that matter most.

And Wilcox will not be owed a lump sum. It will be in installments like his salary is now. Also there is a small savings as his retention portion likely goes away.

To me this entire Wilcox decision hinges on just how serious the Cal donors are about trying to win. And who do they want to run the onfield portion of the program. Rivera is a great person to organize the program, evaluate the current staff and work with the donors. If Wilcox is removed they need to have a plan ready to go.

Firing Wilcox may be the easiest part of the plan. Then the hard part comes. Who do you hire? I would bet that Rivera at least has a list. Is it a wish list or a realistic list with good coaches that would come.

I think it is quite clear that Wilcox is not the right coach to steer this program off the rocks. But you better have an actionable plan for the next steps once you decide to make the decision to move.

I think if Rivera has a clear plan to sell to the donors and Lyons the money will be found.

6956bear said:

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BearlyCareAnymore said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

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HKBear97! said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

---

I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

Fair points. However, if Cal wants to continue to be a P4 they better find a way. If not, that's fine too. I'm just tired of the rhetoric. Make better decisions.

---

I find it hard to believe that Rivera didn't know enough the day he was hired to know that Wilcox is not the answer. The same way Holmoe's goose was cooked the day Gladstone took the job. Like then, I assume the blocker is either political or money, most likely money. I'm damned sure he knows now that Wilcox needs to go and if he doesn't we have bigger problems. I can't imagine Cal put so much effort in bringing in coaches to Weekend at Bernies this guy if they had the money to fire him.

He will be fired shortly after an alum or group of alums walks in with $15M. I have no way of knowing if that has happened or when it will happen if not already.

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I think Rivera has been working the alumni for a fund to buy out Wilcox should the decision be made to fire him. The total dollars are over $15M though if you want to hire a sitting HC and allow him to bring in his own staff. Cal no doubt has coaches on staff now that have buyout clauses in their contract. But the cost to remove Wilcox is sunk. He is getting paid regardless. It is the other costs that matter most.

And Wilcox will not be owed a lump sum. It will be in installments like his salary is now. Also there is a small savings as his retention portion likely goes away.

To me this entire Wilcox decision hinges on just how serious the Cal donors are about trying to win. And who do they want to run the onfield portion of the program. Rivera is a great person to organize the program, evaluate the current staff and work with the donors. If Wilcox is removed they need to have a plan ready to go.

Firing Wilcox may be the easiest part of the plan. Then the hard part comes. Who do you hire? I would bet that Rivera at least has a list. Is it a wish list or a realistic list with good coaches that would come.

I think it is quite clear that Wilcox is not the right coach to steer this program off the rocks. But you better have an actionable plan for the next steps once you decide to make the decision to move.

I think if Rivera has a clear plan to sell to the donors and Lyons the money will be found.

---

I agree with everything with this caveat:

Yeah, I think Rivera has a list. I think he is raising money to move on from Wilcox. I think he has or is developing a plan. But I think those things only because they make sense and are rational things to do. We thought that Knowlton must be making a list to replace Wyking, but he wasn't. Rivera isn't Knowlton. Rivera seems like a smart, responsible guy who really wants Cal to succeed and that guy would be doing those things, so I think he is doing those things. But I'm not committing to that position until I see it.

I ain't kicking the football anymore until Lucy's hands are handcuffed to the effing ground locked in place so she can't move that football if she tried. I'm fully prepared to get to the end of the season and see Cal completely unprepared to make a change.

Big C said:

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BearlyCareAnymore said:

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6956bear said:

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BearlyCareAnymore said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

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HKBear97! said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

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I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

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Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

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Fair points. However, if Cal wants to continue to be a P4 they better find a way. If not, that's fine too. I'm just tired of the rhetoric. Make better decisions.

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I find it hard to believe that Rivera didn't know enough the day he was hired to know that Wilcox is not the answer. The same way Holmoe's goose was cooked the day Gladstone took the job. Like then, I assume the blocker is either political or money, most likely money. I'm damned sure he knows now that Wilcox needs to go and if he doesn't we have bigger problems. I can't imagine Cal put so much effort in bringing in coaches to Weekend at Bernies this guy if they had the money to fire him.

He will be fired shortly after an alum or group of alums walks in with $15M. I have no way of knowing if that has happened or when it will happen if not already.

---

I think Rivera has been working the alumni for a fund to buy out Wilcox should the decision be made to fire him. The total dollars are over $15M though if you want to hire a sitting HC and allow him to bring in his own staff. Cal no doubt has coaches on staff now that have buyout clauses in their contract. But the cost to remove Wilcox is sunk. He is getting paid regardless. It is the other costs that matter most.

And Wilcox will not be owed a lump sum. It will be in installments like his salary is now. Also there is a small savings as his retention portion likely goes away.

To me this entire Wilcox decision hinges on just how serious the Cal donors are about trying to win. And who do they want to run the onfield portion of the program. Rivera is a great person to organize the program, evaluate the current staff and work with the donors. If Wilcox is removed they need to have a plan ready to go.

Firing Wilcox may be the easiest part of the plan. Then the hard part comes. Who do you hire? I would bet that Rivera at least has a list. Is it a wish list or a realistic list with good coaches that would come.

I think it is quite clear that Wilcox is not the right coach to steer this program off the rocks. But you better have an actionable plan for the next steps once you decide to make the decision to move.

I think if Rivera has a clear plan to sell to the donors and Lyons the money will be found.

---

I agree with everything with this caveat:

Yeah, I think Rivera has a list. I think he is raising money to move on from Wilcox. I think he has or is developing a plan. But I think those things only because they make sense and are rational things to do. We thought that Knowlton must be making a list to replace Wyking, but he wasn't. Rivera isn't Knowlton. Rivera seems like a smart, responsible guy who really wants Cal to succeed and that guy would be doing those things, so I think he is doing those things. But I'm not committing to that position until I see it.

I ain't kicking the football anymore until Lucy's hands are handcuffed to the effing ground locked in place so she can't move that football if she tried. I'm fully prepared to get to the end of the season and see Cal completely unprepared to make a change.

---

I'm sure Rivera is developing a list and has been talking to lots and lots of people-in-the-know, asking...

+ am I interested in being HC myself?
+ how would guys who I really respect from my years in the NFL adapt to college?
+ who are some college football experts who I really respect and trust, to advise NFL-Guy-me?

Getting Rivera in here to analyze things this year from an insider perspective was a great idea! If this were Knowlton, he'd probably call his search firm on the Monday after our last game (hopefully first thing in the morning!).

---

On Monday after our last game, Knowlton would announce full confidence in Wilcox, have everybody including players and players parents yell at him, look up from his desk and say "what? there's some sorta problem? What is everyone talking about? Well, okay then." and two weeks later call a search firm, interview two of their candidates and choose the one he is most personally "comfortable" with no matter what their qualifications are.

I think what we learned from the hiring process that landed Tedford out of a very good group of prospects is that good coaches can spot good coaches. In that case it was the crew and rugby coaches who were national championship coaches. Hopefully, Rivera can repeat that. Frankly, the most important thing administrators need to understand is that they need to rely on the right people to make those types of decisions.

BearlyCareAnymore said:

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Big C said:

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BearlyCareAnymore said:

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6956bear said:

---

BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

CAL4LIFE said:

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HKBear97! said:

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CAL4LIFE said:

---

I believe we all know how this season will end if Wilcox continues, but based on what I know, he's most likely gone by the end of the year regardless of the team's record. I think Rivera should accelerate that process by pushing him out the door today.

Here's why:

• Wilcox has lost the program. Players are not responding. Like Knowlton, Wilcox has become a pariah (though more likable to many) when it comes to the goal of winning games. As I said earlier this year, removing him from the building would be an "addition by subtraction" scenarioand that still holds true today.
• Cal has two weeks to recover during the bye. If Rivera and Cal are serious about making a good-faith effort to re-energize the rest of the season and build some momentum, they need to act now. There are two (more) successful head coaches on staff who could take over, though I would prefer Rolovich's personality to rally the team.
• The Knowlton precedent applies. Lyons stepped in because Knowlton had become a polarizing figure and a detriment to most alumni who donate and follow athletics. While Wilcox would be significantly more expensive to move on from, the proposition is essentially the same: pay him to resign or quit, so he no longer comes to work. If this were to happen Cal could move forward sooner and it would give Wilcox more time to mitigate the rest of his Cal deal with his next gig.

Time is running out on Cal's P4 relevancy. After NINE years of the same old same old it's long past time for the program to put on some big boy pants and start making moves to secure their future.

---

Based on what you know? So Cal has somehow lined up the $16 million it would take to payout Wilcox before December 31, 2025? I'll believe that when I see it. I find it hard to believe they even come up with the $10.5 million it would take to fire him after December 31st. This is Cal after all - not a legitimate power four program.

---

Fair points. However, if Cal wants to continue to be a P4 they better find a way. If not, that's fine too. I'm just tired of the rhetoric. Make better decisions.

---

I find it hard to believe that Rivera didn't know enough the day he was hired to know that Wilcox is not the answer. The same way Holmoe's goose was cooked the day Gladstone took the job. Like then, I assume the blocker is either political or money, most likely money. I'm damned sure he knows now that Wilcox needs to go and if he doesn't we have bigger problems. I can't imagine Cal put so much effort in bringing in coaches to Weekend at Bernies this guy if they had the money to fire him.

He will be fired shortly after an alum or group of alums walks in with $15M. I have no way of knowing if that has happened or when it will happen if not already.

---

I think Rivera has been working the alumni for a fund to buy out Wilcox should the decision be made to fire him. The total dollars are over $15M though if you want to hire a sitting HC and allow him to bring in his own staff. Cal no doubt has coaches on staff now that have buyout clauses in their contract. But the cost to remove Wilcox is sunk. He is getting paid regardless. It is the other costs that matter most.

And Wilcox will not be owed a lump sum. It will be in installments like his salary is now. Also there is a small savings as his retention portion likely goes away.

To me this entire Wilcox decision hinges on just how serious the Cal donors are about trying to win. And who do they want to run the onfield portion of the program. Rivera is a great person to organize the program, evaluate the current staff and work with the donors. If Wilcox is removed they need to have a plan ready to go.

Firing Wilcox may be the easiest part of the plan. Then the hard part comes. Who do you hire? I would bet that Rivera at least has a list. Is it a wish list or a realistic list with good coaches that would come.

I think it is quite clear that Wilcox is not the right coach to steer this program off the rocks. But you better have an actionable plan for the next steps once you decide to make the decision to move.

I think if Rivera has a clear plan to sell to the donors and Lyons the money will be found.

---

I agree with everything with this caveat:

Yeah, I think Rivera has a list. I think he is raising money to move on from Wilcox. I think he has or is developing a plan. But I think those things only because they make sense and are rational things to do. We thought that Knowlton must be making a list to replace Wyking, but he wasn't. Rivera isn't Knowlton. Rivera seems like a smart, responsible guy who really wants Cal to succeed and that guy would be doing those things, so I think he is doing those things. But I'm not committing to that position until I see it.

I ain't kicking the football anymore until Lucy's hands are handcuffed to the effing ground locked in place so she can't move that football if she tried. I'm fully prepared to get to the end of the season and see Cal completely unprepared to make a change.

---

I'm sure Rivera is developing a list and has been talking to lots and lots of people-in-the-know, asking...

+ am I interested in being HC myself?
+ how would guys who I really respect from my years in the NFL adapt to college?
+ who are some college football experts who I really respect and trust, to advise NFL-Guy-me?

Getting Rivera in here to analyze things this year from an insider perspective was a great idea! If this were Knowlton, he'd probably call his search firm on the Monday after our last game (hopefully first thing in the morning!).

---

On Monday after our last game, Knowlton would announce full confidence in Wilcox, have everybody including players and players parents yell at him, look up from his desk and say "what? there's some sorta problem? What is everyone talking about? Well, okay then." and two weeks later call a search firm, interview two of their candidates and choose the one he is most personally "comfortable" with no matter what their qualifications are.

I think what we learned from the hiring process that landed Tedford out of a very good group of prospects is that good coaches can spot good coaches. In that case it was the crew and rugby coaches who were national championship coaches. Hopefully, Rivera can repeat that. Frankly, the most important thing administrators need to understand is that they need to rely on the right people to make those types of decisions.

---

If only well-intentioned Carol Christ had followed this advice before hiring -- and then extending -- Knowlton.