Cal Football

Cal DB Coach Gerald Alexander Departs For NFL

By Jim McGill

January 25, 2020

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After three successful seasons at Cal where he was seen by many as a coach on the rise, Bears’ defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander has been hired by the Miami Dolphins as their new defensive backs coach. Alexander will replace Josh Boyer, who was promoted to defensive coordinator after the departure of Patrick Graham to the New York Giants.

The move to Miami is a reunion of sorts for Alexander, who spent part of the 2011 season with the Dolphins, playing in two games there.

Alexander is considered a part of head coach Brian Flores’ rebuilding project in Miami, where the Dolphins finished the season strong after a rough start.

Alexander rejuvinated a beleagured defensive backfield upon his arrival, including a stellar 2018 season where the Bears led the Pac-12 in interceptions with 21, also finishing second in the nation. They gave up the fourth fewest touchdowns in the nation with five, ninth in passing yards allowed with 175.1 per game and sixth in turnovers gained with 28.

Alexander started his coaching career at his at his prep alma mater Rancho Cucamonga High School in 2012 before moving on to Arkansas State in their successful 2013 season as an undergraduate assistant. He next moved to Washington as a grad assistant in 2014 under Chris Petersen, where he coached a talented group of defensive backs including current NFL players Budda Baker and Sidney Jones.

In 2015, Alexander got his first position coach spot, coaching DBs for Indiana State and filled the same role at Montana State in 2016 before joining Cal head coach Justin Wilcox’s initial staff in Berkeleley.

There has been no official comment yet from Cal but with Alexander being highly in demand, with Cal fending off prior offers from competitors like USC, one would have to believe Wilcox has multiple candidates in mind so a lengthy replacement search seems unlikely.

Stay tuned for more on the coaching search in days to come.