28 Comments
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J S's avatar

Can Wilcox enter the Portal?

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SadBear's avatar

Why would he leave when he has his dream job here? He's the equivalent of a QB that consistently throws INTs but has no risk of losing the starter role and has a very nice NIL package to boot

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David B's avatar

He had the opportunity a couple of years ago when Oregon offered him the HC position after Cristobal left for Miami.

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Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Unfortunately someone even more incompetent than Wilcox as an HC was in a position of power…

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heyalumnigo's avatar

And would we really want him to pick a new HC?

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Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

He shouldn’t even be picking out what Cal tie he wears on gameday, let alone making a decision as important as HC.

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Oski Disciple's avatar

No but surely he wouldn't be allowed to.

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Osodeoro's avatar

Right, he made the problem worse by extending Wilcox’s contract which is where we are today.

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SGBear's avatar

*sigh*

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Oski Disciple's avatar

Et tu, Brady? Another Big Game hero gone.

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BrooklynBear's avatar

Remember Nikko

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Bob Warner's avatar

Does the athletic department do exit interviews with departing athletes? Possibly it's not all on Coach Wilcox ? The academic requirements may be too difficult for the football and basketball teams to be competitive with other schools?

A few years back I attended a senior day game in Corvallis ,Oregon. A great majority of Oregon State seniors were Sports Management majors.

Does Cal offer a sports management major? Might be a avenue to attract 5 star athletes to school, keep them eligible ,and offer a pathway to graduate.

Would be interested if some of the smart kids from Cal would feel their degree was worth less because some athlete graduated with a degree in sports management?

One could argue that courses in the changing times in televised sports and contract negotiations could be part of curriculum. You could have courses on dealing with transfer portal and NIL. A segment on maintaining a West Coast conference in the Pacific Time Zone.

The problems to solve are not the five running backs, or the TE or the QB or the Big Game winning touchdown receiver. They are all symptoms of what is holding Cal back from achieving it's potential. The question is do the regents and chancellor have the will to adapt or perish in the high stakes $$ college sports environment?

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mrjpark's avatar

Anyone who feels their diploma was devalued because someone else was accepted for being one of the elites in another field doesn't hold an opinion that matters.

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WilderThanGene's avatar

the ncaa should just call it what it is at this point.. just friggin let players be employees and dont even require them to be students.

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Rugbear's avatar

Not as worried about all this as everyone else. Clearly Cefalo had a chance to convince Brady to stay, and Cefalo has a great reputation as a receivers coach. Also RR explained that they have 'guys' they have identified in the portal that are a fit for what they want. Perhaps there is a major cultural or scheme change (or both) and the PTB are retooling the entire personnel roster.

For me the question is not who is leaving, but who are we picking up. If we make our roster better through the portal then I am all for it. But, if we go backwards, then like others on this site, I will be very frustrated.

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Finn's avatar

Yep, RR kept saying they have a plan and we need to give them time to execute it. But they sure have a lot of work to do. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.

Wilcox has been bloodied for the better part of a decade.

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Toohandy's avatar

And his worst move was hiring Harsin.

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mrjpark's avatar

Nay, 'twas Musgrave.

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Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Coach, it certainly has the feel of a desperation move, imo.

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Blondiesandtopdog's avatar

Too early to tell

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WilderThanGene's avatar

The Musgrave tenure was a perfect microcosm for that. 2 or 3 scripted opening drives each game, then nary a clue what to do next.

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PawlOski's avatar

I could be wrong, but I thought Brady expressed some surprise and confusion after Mendoza's departure coming of the glow of 98 yards. Guessed Brady would be the last guy to leave. Hope he ultimately sticks around, but I wish him the best if he doesn't. Seems like a really great young man.

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KetamineCal's avatar

Oof. Hope we have the inside track on some major talent because...eep

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Strut’88's avatar

Yeah, as much as I like De Jesus, we are looking thin at receiver too, now. Merriwether, though loaded with measurables, has yet to show me he can be a consistent contributor. I need him to leverage his frame better against DBs, overall be more aggressive. Anyway, Good Luck to Jonathan on his next chapter.

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Strut’88's avatar

Sad to see JB go. This guy is a baller.

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O.Overall's avatar

Guess we will have a lot of 6-3 games! Cheez It Bowl, you say? Nay, ‘twill be a Cheez It Season!

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Heino's avatar

So three safeties?

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