Justin Wilcox, Cal reportedly negotiating contract extension
Justin Wilcox, Cal reportedly negotiating contract extension
Wilcox should be patrolling Cal's sidelines for at least a few more years.
As long expected, Justin Wilcox is on the verge of signing a contract extension that will keep him at Cal for at least a few more years. This has been in the works before Wilcox’s name was thrown into multiple coaching searches, and before Wilcox was offered and declined the head coaching position at Oregon.
It’s unclear on how many years the new contract with Wilcox will last. Wilcox’s current contract expires in 2023, so this deal was going to have to take place this season for Cal to commit to Wilcox. You’d have to imagine at least two years will be needed for Wilcox to recruit with confidence. If it’s longer, Cal will also likely want to restructure the buyout in case things do not turn out right: Wilcox is owed nearly his entire contract if terminated by the Bears.
Interestingly, and probably for the best for both sides after a 5-7 campaign, Wilcox has made the crux of his fight not for himself, but for his team, particularly for the assistant coaches and overall staff. Cal has generally underpaid relative to the college football coaching market, and particularly with regards to the exorbitant Bay Area housing market. Providing his staff with the necessary comforts of living will make it easier for Wilcox to retain assistants. With the departure of Charlie Ragle, Wilcox will have had to make at least one new hire for each of his coordinators and position coaches since arriving at Cal.
There are many differing opinions on Justin Wilcox's coaching ability, but his commitment to making Cal a better program can't be questioned. The things he's trying to improve for Cal football behind-the-scenes, particularly in improving staffing, increasing administrative support, and building a modern football infrastructure will make an impact for years to come.
I was very much on the fence about Wilcox just a couple of days ago, and today I feel the same as if we just landed some hotshot new hire. I do think the optics of him turning down OU and now some recommitment to him in the form of additional resources for his staff and more years on his deal has us poised to climb another rung in the next few years. Stoked.
"Figure-it-out factor" - love this. The ability to take concepts, ideas, and new information and apply it in the real world under pressure. Any Cal graduate who successfully navigated the bureaucracy at Sproul Hall definitely has this.