Cal Wide Receivers Coach Ike Hilliard Remains Even-Keeled About His New Look Corps

The Golden Bears have a lot of new talent at wideout that can change the complexion of the offense.

Cal wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard kept his early-spring assessment measured, balancing optimism with the reality of installation-heavy practices and a reshaped receivers room.

“Everything’s going just about as expected. Some good, some bad — that’s coaching. There’s a lot being thrown at these guys right now, and we’re trying to figure out who can handle what, how much, and how fast. But we’re right where we need to be two practices in.

The biggest thing is availability — we’ve stayed healthy, especially in my room, and that allows us to evaluate honestly. The effort’s been consistent, the focus has been there, and the mistakes — given the volume we’re installing — have been limited. That’s encouraging.

As a staff, we feel good about the foundation we’re laying. We’ll take a step back this week, let it breathe a little bit, and then come back ready to push forward again. But the work ethic, the attention to detail — that’s showing up every day.”

Hilliard emphasized versatility and complementary skill sets when describing a trio of receivers expected to anchor the offense, noting that each brings a distinct dimension while fitting into a broader schematic vision.

“They’re three uniquely different players, and that’s what makes the group exciting. Starting with Ian [Strong] — he’s the ‘tree’ in the room, the big body we can lean on physically. His catch radius, his ability in contested situations, that’s where he separates himself. We’re going to move him around, not just park him in one spot, and really maximize that size and length across the field.

With Cooper [Perry], you’re talking about a guy who can line up inside or outside, return punts, and threaten defenses from multiple angles. He’s instinctive, he’s got strong hands, and he’s got that short-area quickness where he can win in isolation. That kind of flexibility gives us options in how we build things week to week.

And then Chase [Hendricks] — people might not realize, but he was one of a small group nationally to go over 1,000 yards last season. That production matters. He’s a do-it-all player — perimeter, underneath, vertical game — and he brings a level of toughness and reliability that you want leading a room.

What ties all three together is their intelligence and communication. They talk, they see the game similarly, and that cohesion carries over into the offense as a whole.”

That cohesion, Hilliard suggested, extends to the quarterback, as the group works through timing, spacing and a new offensive structure.

“We’re excited about the connection that’s building. It’s still early, so we’re not trying to get ahead of it, but you can see the potential. The way we’re teaching stems, releases, route combinations — it’s new, and it’s challenging, but it’s also opening things up.

When you combine that with a quarterback who can process and make every throw, it gives you a chance. Now it becomes about protection, taking care of the football, and staying efficient. If you do those things consistently, you give yourself an opportunity every week.”

Drawing on his deep experience as a wideout and coach, which includes a national title as a player with Florida, Hlliard framed the program’s ambitions without placing artificial limits.

“I don’t think you put ceilings on what’s possible. College football has changed — you’ve seen programs rise quickly, you’ve seen teams build something in a short window. It starts with the right pieces, but it’s sustained by the work you put in every day.

For us, it’s about playing fast, playing physical, protecting the quarterback, and creating turnovers defensively. If you can do that — if you can control the things that lead to winning football — then you put yourself in position when it matters.”

Hilliard pointed to relationships and alignment within the staff as central to his move west, describing a collaborative environment under Tosh Lupoi.

“It really started with the people. The relationships, the conversations — there was a clear vision for what this could be, and that mattered. I’ve been around a lot of places, and when you find a group that’s aligned, that’s intentional about how they build a staff and a roster, you pay attention to that.

Since I’ve gotten here, it’s been seamless. The collaboration, the openness — it’s real. And for me, that’s what makes it exciting, because you feel like you’re building something together, not just installing plays.”

And, in lighter fashion, he acknowledged one additional factor in his transition to the West Coast.

“I’ve never spent time out here before, and I’ll say this — the weather doesn’t hurt. You start stacking good days like this, good people, good work environment… yeah, I understand the appeal. It’s a good place to be, and I’m looking forward to what we can build here.”