Wilcox Has Little to Say About Rejecting Oregon Offer

Cal head football coach Justin Wilcox had been doing other things besides recruiting since the season ended last month.

He had been interviewing for the head coaching job at his alma mater Oregon.

He was offered the job, but in a surprise move turned it down. Wednesday’s signing day press conference was the first time he could be asked by the media about the decision. He was hardly forthcoming about why he said no to the Ducks. 

“I really enjoy being here at Cal working with our players and our staff,” he said. "We feel like we have unfinished business here. We are very optimistic about our future.

“Obviously the past season we had five games where one play could have made a huge difference. If we can find those margins in our offseason and how we coach and how we play, we feel like we can do some special things here."

He admitted moving to Eugene was tempting especially given the Ducks’ recent run of success. But he wants to do similar things in Berkeley.

"They're the reigning Pac-12 North champions and that's where we want to get to," he said. "If we continue with increased support, which we've gotten from [athletic director] Jim Knowlton and our chancellor (Carol Christ), if we continue along this path, we can do some great things here and things that haven't been done before."

Wilcox said his contract runs through 2025, which is a couple of years longer than has been reported previously. He said he and Knowlton are in conversation about an extension beyond that. 

One individual who is leaving Cal is quarterback Chase Garbers. Although he has one more year of eligibility remaining, Garbers has chosen to enter the NFL draft.

“I talked to Chase right after we closed out the season,”  Wilcox said. “I had a good discussion with him. I had a feeling which way he was leaning. I wish Chase nothing but the best. He gave us everything he had for a number of years. I really appreciate what he did for our program. 

“We are actively talking to a number of different candidates at that position, and we feel strongly that we will be adding somebody to the quarterback room sooner or later.”

Both returning Cal QBs, Zach Johnson and Kai Milner have virtually no game experience. Wilcox said it was possible the Bears might bring aboard somebody who does.

“It’s a possibility,” he said. “We feel good about the guys in there. Again, with where we’re at in college football and the transfer portal there are a number of good football players out there that for one reason or another are looking for a new opportunity and we’ll explore all those.”

He spoke highly of the returnees. “Both of them improved a great deal since they’ve been here, different styles of play,” he said. “We think both of them have bright futures. They just don’t have a lot of experience. And there is no substitute for that. And we expect those guys to have a great offseason. And continue to learn under Bill (Musgrave) and the offense and be comfortable in the system. Spring ball will be extremely important for those guys.”

”He was asked specifically about each. 

“Kai can really throw the ball, gets the ball out quick,” he said. “I think the receivers really like the way it travels. He is a smooth operator when it comes to throwing the ball. He can also run. Again, at that position, experience can make a huge difference, learning the offense and being comfortable in it.

“Zach has a little bit different style. He will get out on the perimeter. He will make some plays with his feet. He can throw the ball. He is not the tallest guy (6-1) in the world at the quarterback position., He is kind of a point guard playing that position. He can make some plays, he’s a competitor, he’s got a lot of intangible qualities that can help him as a football player.”

Wilcox also must replace special teams coach Charlie Ragle, who is leaving to become head coach at Idaho State. Wilcox said he might not hire a new ST coach, but rather move that responsibility to someone already on the defensive staff and hire a defensive assistant.