It's been 13 seasons since Jeff Tedford was fired. 16 since Cal finished with a winning conference record. In all that time, the team has had one on-field issue that is the root of all the others:
They consistently lose at the line of scrimmage.
Backs get TFL'ed so often it almost seems by design.
Pass rush is non-existent unless linebackers blitz.
QB almost never has a clean pocket to throw.
Of the 38 Cal players to make it to the NFL since 2015, THREE have been OL or DL. Only one was drafted (James Looney R7 2018). No OL has been drafted out of Cal since 2013. For reference of the 37 players Tedford sent to the NFL from 2004-2013, 10 were OL and 5 were DL. Most were drafted.
Kinda hard to run the ball or score consistently when you can't keep the defense out of the backfield. Kinda hard to beat good teams when you can't get in their backfield and they live in yours. Great teams are still built from the inside out. For whatever reason, Dykes and Wilcox have been unable to do that here. Until that changes, this program will remain stuck on the 5-7/7-5 hamster wheel.
He's had nine years. Please direct me to another coach whose been given nine years to get it going. Well there you go. In fairness, he got a raw deal during COVID but so did everyone else.
I see your point, and Brooks is a good story. But in my opinion, one example like Brooks is more an anomaly among successful head coaches than anything else. This year Cal is benefitting from good play from their freshman QB (although currently he's ranked 16th in the ACC in QBR / source today's ESPN Stats) and a schedule that's favorable to them where they still struggle to win. Prior to the season it was nearly pandemonium as players in skill positions left for other programs. They're currently on their fourth offensive coordinator in four years. Also, in the end Brooks was succeeded by Mike Belotti who was 116-55, and then Chip Kelly , 46-7. It isn't unreasonable to not want to wait ten years for real traction in a program. Wilcox has had plenty of time to prove he's a Kelly or a Belotti, and he isn't. I'd be very surprised barring them winning and ACC conference championship and major bowl in the next two seasons that he is renewed after 2027. Next.
See Rich Brooks. His teams didn't win more than 6 games until his 13th season, when Oregon went 8-4. Oregon wasn't ranked at the end of the season until Brooks' 18th and final year, when they finished 9-4 (7-1) in the Pac10. His overall record was 91-109-4, and he is considered the savior of Oregon football.
Many points I agree with, but the administration failed Wilcox, during COVID city of Berkeley failed Wilcox, The nameless ex AD failed everyone , i wholeheartedly believe in Wilcox as a man and coach he’s kinda vanilla sometimes but he a damn good coach
I've been over Wilcox for years. He just doesn't know how to take a lead, extend lead & coast to win. The routine is get a lead & play not to lose but that tends to go wrong. No other coach pulls defeat from the hands of victory like Wilcox has at Cal. Teams who control the LOS on both sides win games. I agree, the schedule is their biggest ally.
I was really disappointed that during the introduction of the 1975 team the DJ kept the ever presence of the background rhythm going as to not let me hear the announcement. Tell that guy to STOP during the PA announcements!!
Do we really need constant background noise and heavy music beats constantly at football games? It's the game we are there for. My wife won't even go to games anymore because of the constant, loud background noise.
Because none of them have any idea what football is really all about. I used to love sitting in section T. But not anymore, the disconnected gibberish those guys scream incoherently at such high volume makes it impossible to enjoy the game. The other side of the field is a bit better. Besides, that's where the team is parked now.
I was really disappointed that in presenting the team the emcee said that they beat U$C in the Coliseum. That victory, 28-14, was in Memorial Stadium and was the most memorable non Big Game I've ever witnessed in Berkeley.
I think we need to step back and take a look at the talent on this team. It is certainly not up to last years level at QB (JKS is a bright spot, but he is not yet at Mendoza's level), RB, WR, and TE. On defense we lost 4 players to the NFL. While people were taking about the "easy" Cal schedule and going 9-3 or 8-4, the Athletic looked at the loss of key players, the large number of portal additions, and had projected Cal at 3-9 and last in the ACC. The truth seems to be somewhere in between, which is not so bad if we can make it to another bowl game, considering the headwinds. The economics of college sports has changed for years now and Cal clearly has not kept up. Nor has Stanford. Which why both schools had to accept punishing financial deals from the ACC to get into a Power 4 Conference. Not sure who is to blame for that the HC, AD, Chancellor or Cal community, which does not show up for games or watch on TV (which further hurts revenue). All these things need to change for Cal to compete at the top level of the ACC in FB and BB. Bringing in Rivera was a step in the right direction, but now we need sometime. Not sure changing the HC will accomplish much without these changes and it is likely to lead to a rush to the portal by our younger players.
IMO JKS is more talented than Mendoza, but the rest of the skill players are definitely at a lower level than what we had last year. That's what happens when there's a big portal exodus.
Not sure about the OL. I actually think this line has been maybe a bit better than last year but it wasn't good for either guy.
JKS might eventually be better than Medoza, we will get to see him both int he NFL. But just now he is a true freshman, who makes some brilliant plays, but throws too many picks. He has 7 interceptions half way through the season. Mendoza had 6 the entire season, behind a more questionable OL. He maybe the #1 draft choice...
I’m skeered, Avi. Not just by another repeat season, but also by the disastrous results those we have vanquished endured last Saturday. Oregon State, Minnesota, and BC are terrible teams we barely beat. 6-6 looks likely with a November full of losing to teams that have achieved very little. Come on Bears. Duke was one of the very worst teams 10 years ago and they’ve pulled out of the muck. Let’s do the same.
I hang in there as long as anyone on our coaching hires, but I’m throwing in the towel in Wilcox. I don’t think he can rack up the results to justify an extension against the easiest schedule we’ll ever see.
A wealthy Stanford alumni just contributed $50 million to support their football program
https://stanforddaily.com/2025/10/08/stanford-receives-50-million-gift/
It's been 13 seasons since Jeff Tedford was fired. 16 since Cal finished with a winning conference record. In all that time, the team has had one on-field issue that is the root of all the others:
They consistently lose at the line of scrimmage.
Backs get TFL'ed so often it almost seems by design.
Pass rush is non-existent unless linebackers blitz.
QB almost never has a clean pocket to throw.
Of the 38 Cal players to make it to the NFL since 2015, THREE have been OL or DL. Only one was drafted (James Looney R7 2018). No OL has been drafted out of Cal since 2013. For reference of the 37 players Tedford sent to the NFL from 2004-2013, 10 were OL and 5 were DL. Most were drafted.
Kinda hard to run the ball or score consistently when you can't keep the defense out of the backfield. Kinda hard to beat good teams when you can't get in their backfield and they live in yours. Great teams are still built from the inside out. For whatever reason, Dykes and Wilcox have been unable to do that here. Until that changes, this program will remain stuck on the 5-7/7-5 hamster wheel.
This article stinks.
RBG, KBJ, and now JKS. Ha! Libs.
I can tell you I won't pay to go watch Cal get their asses handed to them by ACC bottom dwellers and the Mountain West.
He's had nine years. Please direct me to another coach whose been given nine years to get it going. Well there you go. In fairness, he got a raw deal during COVID but so did everyone else.
I see your point, and Brooks is a good story. But in my opinion, one example like Brooks is more an anomaly among successful head coaches than anything else. This year Cal is benefitting from good play from their freshman QB (although currently he's ranked 16th in the ACC in QBR / source today's ESPN Stats) and a schedule that's favorable to them where they still struggle to win. Prior to the season it was nearly pandemonium as players in skill positions left for other programs. They're currently on their fourth offensive coordinator in four years. Also, in the end Brooks was succeeded by Mike Belotti who was 116-55, and then Chip Kelly , 46-7. It isn't unreasonable to not want to wait ten years for real traction in a program. Wilcox has had plenty of time to prove he's a Kelly or a Belotti, and he isn't. I'd be very surprised barring them winning and ACC conference championship and major bowl in the next two seasons that he is renewed after 2027. Next.
See Rich Brooks. His teams didn't win more than 6 games until his 13th season, when Oregon went 8-4. Oregon wasn't ranked at the end of the season until Brooks' 18th and final year, when they finished 9-4 (7-1) in the Pac10. His overall record was 91-109-4, and he is considered the savior of Oregon football.
I think Uncle Phil is the savior but I get your point.
Yes. Prior to Phil Knight Oregon was everyone's beloved and reliably 3-7 Ducks.
Many points I agree with, but the administration failed Wilcox, during COVID city of Berkeley failed Wilcox, The nameless ex AD failed everyone , i wholeheartedly believe in Wilcox as a man and coach he’s kinda vanilla sometimes but he a damn good coach
I respectfully disagree. A damn good coach doesn't need nine years to produce a consistently successful program.
I've been over Wilcox for years. He just doesn't know how to take a lead, extend lead & coast to win. The routine is get a lead & play not to lose but that tends to go wrong. No other coach pulls defeat from the hands of victory like Wilcox has at Cal. Teams who control the LOS on both sides win games. I agree, the schedule is their biggest ally.
I cannot prioritize watching Wilcox anymore. I'm still watching the games, but through dvr.
Hear, hear.
Careful, Ron Rivera might yell at you for not giving him enough time.
What a joke. Remove the problem Ron, or your alumni/donors might have another revolt!
A slightly off topic request. Would someone post photos of the halftime ceremony honoring the 1975 team or direct me to where such are posted. Thanks.
The 1975 team was phenomenal. Roth as the other Joe Montana. What a shame.
I was really disappointed that during the introduction of the 1975 team the DJ kept the ever presence of the background rhythm going as to not let me hear the announcement. Tell that guy to STOP during the PA announcements!!
Do we really need constant background noise and heavy music beats constantly at football games? It's the game we are there for. My wife won't even go to games anymore because of the constant, loud background noise.
And also why is the mic man asking students to make noise during offense?
Because none of them have any idea what football is really all about. I used to love sitting in section T. But not anymore, the disconnected gibberish those guys scream incoherently at such high volume makes it impossible to enjoy the game. The other side of the field is a bit better. Besides, that's where the team is parked now.
I was really disappointed that in presenting the team the emcee said that they beat U$C in the Coliseum. That victory, 28-14, was in Memorial Stadium and was the most memorable non Big Game I've ever witnessed in Berkeley.
It was a good one, but I also out tge two-overtime USC game and the Tennessee right up there as well.
here are some from the night before and game night, not official photos but moreso what some of us captured
https://x.com/SteveKronerSF/status/1974346263459213371
https://x.com/Thomasdunn24/status/1974678876627599827
I think we need to step back and take a look at the talent on this team. It is certainly not up to last years level at QB (JKS is a bright spot, but he is not yet at Mendoza's level), RB, WR, and TE. On defense we lost 4 players to the NFL. While people were taking about the "easy" Cal schedule and going 9-3 or 8-4, the Athletic looked at the loss of key players, the large number of portal additions, and had projected Cal at 3-9 and last in the ACC. The truth seems to be somewhere in between, which is not so bad if we can make it to another bowl game, considering the headwinds. The economics of college sports has changed for years now and Cal clearly has not kept up. Nor has Stanford. Which why both schools had to accept punishing financial deals from the ACC to get into a Power 4 Conference. Not sure who is to blame for that the HC, AD, Chancellor or Cal community, which does not show up for games or watch on TV (which further hurts revenue). All these things need to change for Cal to compete at the top level of the ACC in FB and BB. Bringing in Rivera was a step in the right direction, but now we need sometime. Not sure changing the HC will accomplish much without these changes and it is likely to lead to a rush to the portal by our younger players.
IMO JKS is more talented than Mendoza, but the rest of the skill players are definitely at a lower level than what we had last year. That's what happens when there's a big portal exodus.
Not sure about the OL. I actually think this line has been maybe a bit better than last year but it wasn't good for either guy.
JKS might eventually be better than Medoza, we will get to see him both int he NFL. But just now he is a true freshman, who makes some brilliant plays, but throws too many picks. He has 7 interceptions half way through the season. Mendoza had 6 the entire season, behind a more questionable OL. He maybe the #1 draft choice...
He definitely has the usual rookie tendency to press when things aren't going well. Probably will be ironed out with more experience.
He’s had nine years. How many more excuses are we going to make for mediocrity?
I’m skeered, Avi. Not just by another repeat season, but also by the disastrous results those we have vanquished endured last Saturday. Oregon State, Minnesota, and BC are terrible teams we barely beat. 6-6 looks likely with a November full of losing to teams that have achieved very little. Come on Bears. Duke was one of the very worst teams 10 years ago and they’ve pulled out of the muck. Let’s do the same.
Well said
I hang in there as long as anyone on our coaching hires, but I’m throwing in the towel in Wilcox. I don’t think he can rack up the results to justify an extension against the easiest schedule we’ll ever see.