I'm still mad over Bloesch's hiring in the first place. It was risky and a MASSIVE step backwards for the program. Wilcox was not in a position to take that kind of a risk - and Knowlton and the Cal backers should have killed that concept from the get go.
We need a name with recruiting skills, and an understanding to not continually run Ott between tackles EVERY FRIGGIN PLAY!
HC should also be replaced with his calls and inability to inspire and lead. The feedback on QB Coach, Gilbert, on Reddit is enough to say hell NO as OC or stay. He failed to recruit Jaron Keave Sagapolutele. The entire staff needs an overhaul; they have the players to win.
So far for OC's we've had a pro style guy (Musgrave), a spread guy (Spav), an o-line specialist (Bloesch), and a "multiple" guy (Baldwin). The only thing that they have in common is shitty results, though Spav's showed flashes of competence.
Interestingly, Spav has two O-line coaches and a TE coach at Baylor. Baylor is top 30 in yards and points per game this year, after being 73rd/100th last year.
issue isn't play calling / OC. The issue for the past 8 years has been poor OL play due to poor hiring choices for OL coach and an overall lack of talent and depth at OL. It is no more complicated than that. Years ago, I noted that Wilcox's hiring of Greatwood would doom Cal's offense ~ little that I knew it would be for 8 fcking years!!
GEAT, its a combo of both with Bloesch. True that our failures started with terrible o-line play and lack of a run game, but when I think about the Miami game, there were some good play calls early and some really bad ones late. I will say a team cannot thrive on gimmick plays, you gotta be able to pound the rock on critical downs, and we could not do that. But I have also watch great play callers mix and match and have D-beaters for down and distance situations. Bloesch did not have those plays in his bag.
All these comments are about Offense. Our Defense was pretty vulnerable in key situations pass D wise. Sirmon is a good DC but he gets conservative in crucial situations.
I don’t know how Wilcox is going to find a good OC who will want to come coach for him. That is 4 OCs in 4 seasons and Wilcox will be on a warm seat next season.
Cal brought Tedford back for Big Game and we won, without him even coaching. Let’s bring him back to run our offense. And see if Rug is available to coach up his offensive line.
The Cal bureaucratic machinations and the complications of the Teri McKeever situation have predictably held up the dismissal of Jim Knowlton…once he’s gone, Wilcox will be a short timer…keeping my fingers crossed it’s not a lame duck 2025.
Hopefully he gets this OC hire right and they can win some of the games they’ve consistently coughed up throughout his 8 seasons. Just a little bit better execution at crucial times and you beat the teams you have to beat…an NC State, a bad Florida State….
Tho skeptical, I’m actually kinda pulling for him to catch a break, but not sure how Cal fans can realistically expect him to retool pretty much his entire coaching staff in year 9 when he has shown that his personnel decisions are largely a major issue.
But we’ll see…let’s get back to BLOCKIN’ and TACKLIN’, Coach.
I would love to hire a proven, dynamic mind, and let him get his own OL coach…the systems need to work together, and so clearly did not this year. Which is funny because they were coached ostensibly by the same dude!
How many times we try to operate in traffic on the short side of the field?
Nohl Williams and Teddye Buchanan were selected first team All ACC. They were only here for a year or two, but that's college football now. Let's get more of these top level contributors in the portal, but on offense, especially OL.
It's awesome when players stay at Cal for their entire careers - like Craig Woodson and Miles Williams, but the reality is that those will now be exceptions. Happy to have players even for a single season if they buy in and contribute to the team and Nohl was a huge part of the defense the last two years and Teddye was a passionate team leader. We need more Teddyes and Nohls!
Craig Woodson, Miles Williams, Mavin Anderson, Nate Rutchena, Lu Magia Hearns, Ricky Correia, Derek Wilkins, Akili Calhoun, Collin Gamble, Stanley McKenzie, Myles Williams, Jeffrey Johnson, Trond Grizzell, Bastian Swinney, Dylan Jemtegaard, Jake Arguello, Hunter Barth have played all 4+ years at Cal.
Only Woodson is a multi year starter. It was nice Miles Williams earned starting spot in his final season. Anderson, Rutchena, Hearns, and Gamble appeared early but lost starting positions to incoming transfers. Anyway, I like everyone who come to play for Cal, but I tend to forget a lot of the transfers who were only here for a year or two, but I will not forget Nohl and Teddye. I already forgot about Patrick McMorris who, even though he was good enough to be drafted, I have no memory of any play.
I will admit I don't have the knowledge that true FB coaches have but, the OC play calling was not all that bad The key in all of this was the Execution. The Bears had a decimated OL since the beginning of the season. This effected both the running and passing game. The opponents defense line for the most part were more physical vs our OL. Where is Wilcox's responsibility in all of this. He is listening on the play calling. He has the power to override any play. He is the one in the locker room at halftime to make the adjustments needed if He doesn't like what is going on the field. Just like in the NFL continuity is the foremost for a team. Look at the other Bears from Chicago they had 3 high draft pick QB's in recent years and both Trubisky and Fields have both flounder because of constant change of either HC or OC. Now it is going to happen to Caleb. If CAL FB is going to proceed forward it must have consistent coaching for years to come. If Mendoza has to learn from another OC or any new QB it is time to bring in a new regime, where the coaching will remain constant for years to come . Not to pick and choose different coaches to fire each year.
In my experience as a head coach in a winning program, the head coach doesn't overrule a coordinator much at all. When coordinator is hired , it is his offense, or defense that is on the field. The head coach makes "suggestions" periodically during game and "big time" during practice or sometimes during halftime or rarely during timeouts.
Thanks. But, the thing is that We are not a winning program. Yes, you want to show confidence in your assistant coaches . There will be mistakes just like in any job when you delegate responsibility but, you have to wonder is it the OC fault or the HC issue when you go through 4 OC in 4 years. Is it the teacher's or students fault. If the student does not learn the lesson and see the vision the teacher wants to convey . Especially, only given one year to succeed.
While change is never easy, why dump him right before a bowl game? I would think that, especially after getting pounded by SMU, we would want some continuity in the offensive staff. I guess this means that Sagatoupele isn't committing to us either. Sigh......When it rains, it pours.
Justbear: Does it matter? iF i'm a high school quarterback with NFL potential, would I rather go to Oregon or Cal? I guess that we just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that he is thinking the same way that DeSean Jackson did. He turned down U$C for Cal because, as he put it, "I wanted to be someplace where I would be featured". I have to imagine that if Sagatoupelele chooses Oregon, he is going to be fighting with a lot of other four and five star qb's for playing time.
The only issue is that Oregon is in the CFP chase every year…they are always win-now, and rolling with an inexperienced starter, even if he’s a RS FR, is risky. That’s why they continue to grab proven commodities out of the portal.
If you want to fix things you must start at the top (Knowlton & Wilcox). A new OC is just a flimsy band aid that will fall off and we will be right back where we are presently one year from now. Time to clean house!
Maybe, but Knowlton presents a Gordian Knot just now.
One can't just slice the knot without upsetting ongoing investigations.
It must be carefully unraveled.
The thinking is admin must wait for the Women's Swim coach investigation to conclude, then, if he acted badly enough, he could be fired with cause and negate all or much of his buyout Christ generously granted him.
What if Christ must have loved his FCS view of football as a glorified intramural activity, so she gave Knowlton a long contract extension to preserve the middling of the FB program.
I'm happy to hear this but skeptical Wilcox will do what Rugbear says. We need a top flight OC, not necessarily a big name, but a proven system guy. Bloesch was a great OC coach last year, but like Rug says there was something really missing this year. I don't know if retaining him will be the best or even an option with a new OC. Come on, Wilcox, since we are unlikely to fire you yet, at least make a big move that gives people reason for some hope next year.
I'm still mad over Bloesch's hiring in the first place. It was risky and a MASSIVE step backwards for the program. Wilcox was not in a position to take that kind of a risk - and Knowlton and the Cal backers should have killed that concept from the get go.
We need a name with recruiting skills, and an understanding to not continually run Ott between tackles EVERY FRIGGIN PLAY!
HC should also be replaced with his calls and inability to inspire and lead. The feedback on QB Coach, Gilbert, on Reddit is enough to say hell NO as OC or stay. He failed to recruit Jaron Keave Sagapolutele. The entire staff needs an overhaul; they have the players to win.
So far for OC's we've had a pro style guy (Musgrave), a spread guy (Spav), an o-line specialist (Bloesch), and a "multiple" guy (Baldwin). The only thing that they have in common is shitty results, though Spav's showed flashes of competence.
Interestingly, Spav has two O-line coaches and a TE coach at Baylor. Baylor is top 30 in yards and points per game this year, after being 73rd/100th last year.
Has Stanford fired Troy Taylor yet?
NO
issue isn't play calling / OC. The issue for the past 8 years has been poor OL play due to poor hiring choices for OL coach and an overall lack of talent and depth at OL. It is no more complicated than that. Years ago, I noted that Wilcox's hiring of Greatwood would doom Cal's offense ~ little that I knew it would be for 8 fcking years!!
GEAT, its a combo of both with Bloesch. True that our failures started with terrible o-line play and lack of a run game, but when I think about the Miami game, there were some good play calls early and some really bad ones late. I will say a team cannot thrive on gimmick plays, you gotta be able to pound the rock on critical downs, and we could not do that. But I have also watch great play callers mix and match and have D-beaters for down and distance situations. Bloesch did not have those plays in his bag.
All these comments are about Offense. Our Defense was pretty vulnerable in key situations pass D wise. Sirmon is a good DC but he gets conservative in crucial situations.
I don’t know how Wilcox is going to find a good OC who will want to come coach for him. That is 4 OCs in 4 seasons and Wilcox will be on a warm seat next season.
It's official. Wilcox confirmed it apparently.
https://x.com/MattRMoreno/status/1864120717064991142
Cal brought Tedford back for Big Game and we won, without him even coaching. Let’s bring him back to run our offense. And see if Rug is available to coach up his offensive line.
I like it, but Tedford has heart problems and I believe he's retired for good.
That being said, it should be a move popular with fans.
For that matter, why not see if Saban would be willing to take on the challenge.
So this means that Wilcox is staying?
yes
For one more year.
The Cal bureaucratic machinations and the complications of the Teri McKeever situation have predictably held up the dismissal of Jim Knowlton…once he’s gone, Wilcox will be a short timer…keeping my fingers crossed it’s not a lame duck 2025.
Hopefully he gets this OC hire right and they can win some of the games they’ve consistently coughed up throughout his 8 seasons. Just a little bit better execution at crucial times and you beat the teams you have to beat…an NC State, a bad Florida State….
Tho skeptical, I’m actually kinda pulling for him to catch a break, but not sure how Cal fans can realistically expect him to retool pretty much his entire coaching staff in year 9 when he has shown that his personnel decisions are largely a major issue.
But we’ll see…let’s get back to BLOCKIN’ and TACKLIN’, Coach.
Wilcox will go 6-6 next season with a win over Stanford and he will be back for year 10 at Memorial.
The only way he isn’t back is if Fernando and a bunch players decide to portal out and the team bottoms out at 3-9 or 4-8.
But I want to see a winning season
Maybe the new OC will be just right that he can take over after Wilcox is fired.
I would love to hire a proven, dynamic mind, and let him get his own OL coach…the systems need to work together, and so clearly did not this year. Which is funny because they were coached ostensibly by the same dude!
How many times we try to operate in traffic on the short side of the field?
Nohl Williams and Teddye Buchanan were selected first team All ACC. They were only here for a year or two, but that's college football now. Let's get more of these top level contributors in the portal, but on offense, especially OL.
It's awesome when players stay at Cal for their entire careers - like Craig Woodson and Miles Williams, but the reality is that those will now be exceptions. Happy to have players even for a single season if they buy in and contribute to the team and Nohl was a huge part of the defense the last two years and Teddye was a passionate team leader. We need more Teddyes and Nohls!
Craig Woodson, Miles Williams, Mavin Anderson, Nate Rutchena, Lu Magia Hearns, Ricky Correia, Derek Wilkins, Akili Calhoun, Collin Gamble, Stanley McKenzie, Myles Williams, Jeffrey Johnson, Trond Grizzell, Bastian Swinney, Dylan Jemtegaard, Jake Arguello, Hunter Barth have played all 4+ years at Cal.
Only Woodson is a multi year starter. It was nice Miles Williams earned starting spot in his final season. Anderson, Rutchena, Hearns, and Gamble appeared early but lost starting positions to incoming transfers. Anyway, I like everyone who come to play for Cal, but I tend to forget a lot of the transfers who were only here for a year or two, but I will not forget Nohl and Teddye. I already forgot about Patrick McMorris who, even though he was good enough to be drafted, I have no memory of any play.
I will admit I don't have the knowledge that true FB coaches have but, the OC play calling was not all that bad The key in all of this was the Execution. The Bears had a decimated OL since the beginning of the season. This effected both the running and passing game. The opponents defense line for the most part were more physical vs our OL. Where is Wilcox's responsibility in all of this. He is listening on the play calling. He has the power to override any play. He is the one in the locker room at halftime to make the adjustments needed if He doesn't like what is going on the field. Just like in the NFL continuity is the foremost for a team. Look at the other Bears from Chicago they had 3 high draft pick QB's in recent years and both Trubisky and Fields have both flounder because of constant change of either HC or OC. Now it is going to happen to Caleb. If CAL FB is going to proceed forward it must have consistent coaching for years to come. If Mendoza has to learn from another OC or any new QB it is time to bring in a new regime, where the coaching will remain constant for years to come . Not to pick and choose different coaches to fire each year.
In my experience as a head coach in a winning program, the head coach doesn't overrule a coordinator much at all. When coordinator is hired , it is his offense, or defense that is on the field. The head coach makes "suggestions" periodically during game and "big time" during practice or sometimes during halftime or rarely during timeouts.
Thanks. But, the thing is that We are not a winning program. Yes, you want to show confidence in your assistant coaches . There will be mistakes just like in any job when you delegate responsibility but, you have to wonder is it the OC fault or the HC issue when you go through 4 OC in 4 years. Is it the teacher's or students fault. If the student does not learn the lesson and see the vision the teacher wants to convey . Especially, only given one year to succeed.
4th OC in 4 years. Nothing to see here folks.
The OC firings will continue until offensive production improves
Hey GSD and P, you guys heading to LA if they get the Gronk?
Nah, mid-week is too tough. Also, I’m ready to turn the page on this football season and devote my anguish full-time to bball.
Fair!
Speaking of BB.
WTF was up with the officiating?
Shitbird Robinson was charging and flopping all night- and it turned the game.
I more than likely will go if they play in the Gronk.
Cool let’s meet up. Booked a room at La Quinta Inn on W Century.
Well, if we are not firing Wilcox .. this is at least something to be excited about.
Maybe Mike Montgomery and Jay John can weigh in and override Wilcox’s hire like they did with Knowlton on Madsen!
Yes! That suggestion is right t down the page to getting a General Manager. One who is a Golden Bear. Rivera maybe?
So that would be Tedford and Ron Gould in football terms.
Tedford would have to dummy down that playbook…can’t have guys taking 2 years to learn it. Ha.
No, he's just going to help hire the right HC or OC.
The optics are so poor it’s really just comical at this point.
While change is never easy, why dump him right before a bowl game? I would think that, especially after getting pounded by SMU, we would want some continuity in the offensive staff. I guess this means that Sagatoupele isn't committing to us either. Sigh......When it rains, it pours.
His recruiter is Gilbert I think
Justbear: Does it matter? iF i'm a high school quarterback with NFL potential, would I rather go to Oregon or Cal? I guess that we just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that he is thinking the same way that DeSean Jackson did. He turned down U$C for Cal because, as he put it, "I wanted to be someplace where I would be featured". I have to imagine that if Sagatoupelele chooses Oregon, he is going to be fighting with a lot of other four and five star qb's for playing time.
The only issue is that Oregon is in the CFP chase every year…they are always win-now, and rolling with an inexperienced starter, even if he’s a RS FR, is risky. That’s why they continue to grab proven commodities out of the portal.
These whale-funded schools grab talent to shelve it, too.
And they have the $$$ to pay them.
Jimmy: Do you think that we still have a chance to get Sagatoupelele or does he go to the more stable situation at Oregon?
Certainly they still have a shot but it’s such a fluid situation and there’s a lotta pressure.
If you want to fix things you must start at the top (Knowlton & Wilcox). A new OC is just a flimsy band aid that will fall off and we will be right back where we are presently one year from now. Time to clean house!
Maybe, but Knowlton presents a Gordian Knot just now.
One can't just slice the knot without upsetting ongoing investigations.
It must be carefully unraveled.
The thinking is admin must wait for the Women's Swim coach investigation to conclude, then, if he acted badly enough, he could be fired with cause and negate all or much of his buyout Christ generously granted him.
What if Christ must have loved his FCS view of football as a glorified intramural activity, so she gave Knowlton a long contract extension to preserve the middling of the FB program.
I'm happy to hear this but skeptical Wilcox will do what Rugbear says. We need a top flight OC, not necessarily a big name, but a proven system guy. Bloesch was a great OC coach last year, but like Rug says there was something really missing this year. I don't know if retaining him will be the best or even an option with a new OC. Come on, Wilcox, since we are unlikely to fire you yet, at least make a big move that gives people reason for some hope next year.