38 Comments

who else has never heard of Recaro leather seats?

Expand full comment

Essential seatage material for todays young football athlete.

Expand full comment

I've heard of Recaro racing seats for cars.

Expand full comment

They also (at least used to) make infant carseats! My eldest had one.

Expand full comment

I guess thinking about it they're both 5 point harness seats.

Expand full comment

What IS Recaro leather?

Expand full comment

Recaro leather is nothing. Nothing exists.

Expand full comment

then there is...Fine Cor'inthian Leh-ther.

Expand full comment

You obviously need to up your hip hippity-hop exposure. Another co-opted status brand. You know, for your Lexus, Porche, whatever.

Expand full comment

Yeah, I need to get on that

Expand full comment

For better or worse, this is the kind of thing that is a part of reality these days.

Expand full comment

Of course. Hardly anything could rival this for importance in a college career.

Expand full comment

The idea that this was a complex decision is nonsense. I have no doubt that Wilcox looked a the total picture and said to himself, "This job is not for me." And he communicated that thought to Oregon's AD.

When Oregon tried to change the terms under which he could be head coach, it would not surprise me to find that Wilcox achieved even greater clarity in turning down the job. Maybe the trust factor entered into it at that point and it became a bridge too far.

Expand full comment

I don't believe Cal “won” Wilcox staying, but rather Oregon lost him due to the stupid, egocentric constraints they tried to attach to the job.

Expand full comment

I largely agree here. I would only disagree in that it appears that Oregon scared Wilcox off; discouraged him, if you prefer.

A desirable candidate *should* blanche at the restrictions Oregon wanted to impose, even if it was just an opening to a discussion about job terms.

Expand full comment

That said, given Wilcox’s inability to field even an average offense, the fact that the Ducks football machinery likely wanted input on his offensive staff should come as no surprise.

Expand full comment

"Wilcox has erred toward fit at Cal, likely due to the nature of the university, and likely because straying away from fit is what sunk his old boss, Jeff Tedford."

Wilcox has a bias toward fit, but I'd call it a conscious decision, not an error.

Expand full comment

Well, the fit bias has resulted in a 15-25 P12 record, with little evidence that improves next season.

Wouldn't mind straying from fit for a second...

Expand full comment

yeah he was clear from day one that there is a particular profile of student athlete he will be recruiting at Cal, which im sure was lock step with the admin and a major part of the discussion when he was originally hired. and as we see now was more than just lip service or doing what the admin wants, but apparently an honest part of his philosophy.

Expand full comment

So Wilcox turned down Oregon job because he didn't see it as fit for him. It doesn't necessarily mean Wilcox stayed because he loves to be in Berkeley. So if another job opens up and they give Wilcox favorable offer, will he leave?

Expand full comment

Very interesting. Wilcox stuck with his moral compass, even though the job was at his alma mater. While there is some pressure to win at Cal, there is nothing like the superheated Oregon atmosphere.

Expand full comment

Not to mention having to deal with Duck fans; surpassed in hubris only by Husky fans.

Expand full comment

The USC fanbase is on the line; they take offense to being left off your post......

Expand full comment

Hah... I haven't spent too much time with SC fans, and they seem less prone to taking the bait online. We've all been in agreement re: Helton for so long that they hate died down for a minute (save for the banter when we finally ended the streak).

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Expand full comment

That may be true in real-world scenarios. In my singular, anecdotal, mostly-twitter-based experience, UW fans are the worst. The have a middling team and act like they're knocking on Alabama's door. Losing to their dumpster fire team this past season in my opinion is one of the worst stains on Wilcox's tenure.

That being said, this whole Wilcox-to-Oregon fiasco has brought out the worst in Duck fans who are "absolutely too good for Wilcox". It's funny, they would say the same about TDR... until they poached him.

Expand full comment

+100

In my experience of living near Seattle (almost a decade ago...), UW fans were the absolute worst. They couldn't fathom why they didn't deserve to win out even with Ty at the helm.

Expand full comment

Maybe moral or perhaps a fear of too much intrusion and unreasonable expectations. If the later, I don't think any less of him.

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Expand full comment

My GUESS is that there is plenty of pressure for top-10 classes and I suspect few teams can achieve that in their backyard, but yes, this seems an extra step-up in pressure on the coach.

Expand full comment

The sometimes intertwined sagas unfolding in Eugene & Berkeley have grabbed a lot of attention, but the issues are a balancing act that most coaches and most schools, and not just at the FBS level, are juggling to an ever increasing degree. For that matter, a good number of high school programs as well. And its only going to increase. There are Ws at stake, and there are $s, big and increasingly bigger $s in many cases. And a lot of people, careers, families, the institution in general, etc...

Its no where close to new, but it is both escalating, and like most things, are more in view than ever. And seemingly every change (NIL, transfer rules, entrance requirements, media deals, ... all intended to right some wrong or enhance something) compounds and complicates things further. In the not so distant future, this particular episode will probably look tame and simple compared to what we are hearing about at that time. I really do feel for what these ADs and Coaches and other concerned parties are trying to manage.

Expand full comment

Integrity check.

Expand full comment

This must have been a really tough decision for Wilcox. There's so many changes happening in CFB...I can't imagine in 5 years what the landscape will look like. I'm very glad he's here with the Bears.

Expand full comment

If he doesn't start winning, paulie, Wilcox probably doesn't last 5 years.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
RemovedFeb 25, 2022·edited Feb 25, 2022
Comment removed
Expand full comment
RemovedFeb 25, 2022·edited Feb 25, 2022
Comment removed
Expand full comment

Congratulations on your proficient in wikipedia. I don't know why you feel compelled to respond to all my comments. Some seriously weird trolling. Pick on someone else.

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Feb 24, 2022·edited Feb 24, 2022

No Professor at Alabama gets tenure unless Saban approves. Saban is King, and his wrath is mighty and terrible.

Expand full comment

No way Alabama has the same policy. Saban has all the power at his will.

Expand full comment

Bama doesn't impose those sanctions, because Saban has earned the right not to be imposed upon. He's doing fine on his own and could tell them to eff off if they meddle. In the SEC, the coaches wield more power. If you want the best coaches, you need to acquiesce to their demands. They are all killers anyways--wanting the best assistants and always with an eye towards winning over all else. The power dynamics is the opposite in the case of Wilcox/Oregon.

Expand full comment

I agree with you on Saban and maybe Kirby Smart, but it's funny hearing you say coaches hold all the power given what happened in Tenn and almost in Auburn (coming up with manufactured reasons to fire coach with cause).

Expand full comment
Feb 24, 2022·edited Feb 24, 2022

Once they've had enough of you. . . . But how many coaches get newly created jobs for their alleged mistresses to fill and join them?

Expand full comment