Tag: Wilcox

Cal fires coach Justin Wilcox after nine years

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cal fired coach Justin Wilcox on Sunday, one day after the Golden Bears were routed by fierce rival Stanford in the “Big Game.”

Wilcox compiled a 48-55 record in nine seasons with Cal. The Golden Bears are 6-5 overall and 3-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play entering Saturday’s regular-season finale against visiting SMU.

Cal general manager Ron Rivera announced Wilcox’s dismissal.

“I want to thank Justin for all of his contributions to our football program, our athletic department and our university,” Rivera said in a news release. “He has always comported himself with class and professionalism. After careful consideration, we believe the time has come for new leadership. We wish Justin the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Rivera is a former Golden Bears star linebacker and was a player and head coach in the NFL. He was hired to run the football program in March.

Wilcox is reportedly owed $10.88 million on a contract that ran through the 2027 season.

Senior offensive assistant Nick Rolovich will serve as interim coach.

Rolovich has a 33-33 record as a head coach at Hawaii (2016-19) and Washington State (2020-21). He was dismissed from the latter school during the 2021 campaign because he refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin also has head-coaching experience. He has an 85-36 record at Arkansas State (2013), Boise State (2014-20) and Auburn (2021-22).

Wilcox’s top season was an 8-5 mark in 2019 when the Golden Bears beat Illinois 35-20 in the Redbox Bowl. That was Wilcox’s lone bowl win in four opportunities.

This season, Cal started 3-0 before being smashed 34-0 by host San Diego State. The Golden Bears were also routed 45-21 at home by Duke and were badly outclassed by host Stanford on Saturday when they committed three turnovers and were flagged for 13 penalties for 123 yards.

The Golden Bears’ highlight victory of the campaign came on Nov. 8 when they won 29-26 at then-No. 15 Louisville.

Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has displayed promise with 2,787 yards and 13 touchdowns against nine interceptions. That was a big development for the program after standout Fernando Mendoza transferred to Indiana after last season.

–Field Level Media

Aug 6, 2022; Canton, OH, USA; Dave Wilcox arrives on the red carpet during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Legendary 49ers LB Dave Wilcox dies at 80

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Wilcox, who spent his entire 11-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, died on Wednesday. He was 80.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Wilcox’s death. A cause of death wasn’t revealed but the Hall of Fame said Wilcox recently underwent heart surgery.

Wilcox was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, including six straight seasons from 1968-73. He had 14 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries in 153 games (144 starts) and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

“While Dave Wilcox was a nicknamed ‘The Intimidator’ for his aggressive style of play, he was a kind, humble and gracious man in all other aspects of life,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in the announcement. “He transformed the outside linebacker position — one of the many feats that earned him a forever home in Canton.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave’s wife, Merle, and their entire family. We will preserve his legacy for generations to come.”

Cal football coach Justin Wilcox, a son of Dave’s, is one of the survivors.

Dave Wilcox was born in Ontario, Ore., and began his college football career at Boise Junior College (now Boise State) before transferring to Oregon. He excelled as a defensive end in two seasons for the Ducks (1962-63) and was inducted into the Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.

The 49ers selected Wilcox in the third round (29th overall) in the 1964 draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears head coach Justin Wilcox stands on the field with crutches before the game against the Sacramento State Hornets at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Cal coach Justin Wilcox signs extension through 2027

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Despite just two winning seasons in five years, California signed coach Justin Wilcox to a contract extension through the 2027 season, the school announced Thursday.

The extension tacked four seasons on to a deal that was slated to end after the 2023 campaign.

“Justin Wilcox is a football coach who shares our values and vision, and we want to ensure that he is the leader of our program for the long term,” Golden Bears athletic director Jim Knowlton said. “He is a great fit for Cal Athletics and our university, with a philosophy that places an emphasis on developing young men on the field, in the classroom and as people.

“I am confident our fans and alumni share my enthusiasm for the direction of our program, and the level of success we have seen to date has set a foundation for sustained excellence in the future.”

Wilcox, 45, has a 26-28 record in five seasons as Cal coach. The team went 5-7 in 2021.

The Golden Bears played in bowl games in 2018 and 2019. The team’s best record under Wilcox is an 8-5 mark in 2019, when it was ranked as high as No. 15.

“I appreciate the opportunity to be the head football coach at Cal and am excited about the future of our program,” Wilcox said in the news release. “I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute I have spent with the extraordinary young men who have been in our program. We are in a great position and strongly aligned with our university thanks to the leadership of Chancellor Carol Christ and Jim Knowlton.

“I thank both of them for their continued trust and confidence in me to lead a football program that will make the entire Cal community proud. We have very high expectations. I think we’ve earned the right to expect more, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

After the 2021 season, Wilcox was in the mix for the Oregon opening and reportedly turned down an offer to replace Mario Cristobal as coach. Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lenning eventually was hired by the Ducks.

Wilcox is a native of Eugene and played defensive back for the Ducks from 1996-99.

–Field Level Media