The Justin Wilcox era at Cal is over. This marks a big shift for the Golden Bears’ football program.
Wilcox did get Cal to bowl eligibility for the third year in a row. Still, his time was defined by a lack of consistent wins, and he was let go after a rough 31-10 loss to Stanford.
He finished with a 48-55 record over nine years, managing just three winning seasons. Cal’s administration decided it was time for a fresh start.
Now, the search for a new head coach is underway. The future of Cal football feels uncertain, with money issues, wavering fan support, and the question of whether key players like quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will stick around.
The Challenges Facing Cal Football
Cal football has some tough hurdles ahead. Any new coach will have to face them head-on.
The Golden Bears haven’t seen much steady success. They’ve had only three 10-win seasons since 1950 and just one year with more than seven wins in the last decade.
Fan support? Well, it’s been up and down. California Memorial Stadium rarely fills up except for the Stanford game.
The 2024 matchup against Miami was the first non-Stanford sellout since 2013. That’s a long time between packed houses.
Financial Hurdles
Money is a real concern. Cal is weighed down by hundreds of millions in stadium debt.
The university has moved much of that debt off the athletic department’s books, but it’s still a cloud hanging over things. The move to the ACC brought new headaches, since Cal only gets 30 percent of ACC revenue until 2031.
On top of that, travel costs have jumped thanks to the cross-country ACC schedule. It’s not exactly ideal.
Leadership and Support
Support from the university for football has been spotty for years. Lately, though, there are hints of change.
Hiring Ron Rivera as general manager was a big move. Chancellor Rich Lyons, who took over in 2024, has shown more interest in athletics.
But right now, the department is being run by two co-athletic directors, Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O’Neill. They were both given 12-month terms starting in July.
There’s also the question of how a new coach will mesh with Rivera. That power dynamic could get interesting.
Potential Candidates for the Head Coach Position
Plenty of names are floating around to replace Justin Wilcox. Each brings something different to the table.
Here’s a look at some of the top contenders:
Tosh Lupoi
Oregon’s defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is a favorite. He’s a former Cal player and has been running Oregon’s defense since 2022.
This year, Oregon’s defense is ranked eighth nationally in points allowed per game (14.9). Lupoi’s reputation as a top West Coast recruiter and his ties to Cal make him stand out.
Jim Mora
Jim Mora, currently at UConn, is another strong option. He’s a California native and has pulled off a bit of a miracle at UConn, with back-to-back nine-win seasons and three bowl trips in four years.
Mora brings experience from UCLA and the NFL, which is hard to ignore. But would he want the Cal job? That’s a fair question.
Sean Lewis
Sean Lewis, head coach at San Diego State, has the Aztecs sitting at 9-2 and leading the Mountain West in just his second year. His offenses move fast, but his defense is just as good, ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring defense.
At 39, Lewis brings energy and already has seven years of head coaching under his belt. That’s not nothing.
Ryan Grubb
Ryan Grubb, Alabama’s offensive coordinator, has a knack for developing quarterbacks. He spent years at Fresno State and Washington before Alabama, where he helped Ty Simpson become a Heisman contender.
Grubb knows the West Coast, which could help at Cal. Is that enough? Maybe.
Tim Plough
Tim Plough, head coach at UC Davis, has led the Aggies to a 19-6 record in two years and taken them to the FCS playoffs twice. He also spent 2023 as Cal’s tight ends coach.
That inside knowledge of the program could be valuable. Plough has a long history with UC Davis, too.
DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson, a former Cal receiver, is already turning heads as a coach. In his first year at Delaware State, he led the team to an 8-4 record, a huge jump from 1-11 the year before.
It might be a bit soon for him to jump to a Power 4 job, but you can’t ignore his potential. Maybe in a few years?
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan Smith, now at Michigan State, grew up in Pasadena. He’s had a rough go at Michigan State, but he turned around Oregon State, including a 10-win season in 2022.
His recent struggles might hurt his chances, though. Still, he’s proven he can rebuild a program.
Spencer Danielson
Spencer Danielson at Boise State has a 22-7 record, including a 12-2 season and a College Football Playoff run last year. This season’s been bumpier, but his track record is impressive.
He’s got to be on Cal’s radar.
Jason Eck
Jason Eck, in his first season at New Mexico, has the Lobos at 8-3 despite losing a bunch of key players. He did more with less at Idaho, too.
Eck’s ability to turn things around quickly makes him an intriguing candidate. Cal could use some of that magic.
The Future of Cal Football
Cal’s football program is at a crossroads. The search for a new head coach comes with plenty of challenges, but there are chances for real growth too.
Keeping key players like Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele really matters. At the same time, they’ve got to figure out how to work with tight finances and rally more consistent fan support.
The hire of Ron Rivera and the increased involvement of Chancellor Rich Lyons both seem like good moves. Still, so much rides on who they pick as the new head coach—and whether that person can actually build a winning program.
For more information on the Cal football coaching search and potential candidates, visit the New York Times.
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