He’s gone. It’s the right move but I’m a little nostalgic. When Sonny left I was hoping the door hit his ass on the way out, Justin is different. I think we all wanted Justin to succeed because he loved the program, loved the players, and tried to do things the right way.
We do owe him a lot, he ended the usc streak, brought the axe back home, and also navigated the program through a tough COVID time period.
I’m glad we’ll have a new staff but I wish nothing but the best to Coach Wilcox.
HaasBear: You are absolutely right! Wilcox is not a bad guy and he will always have my utmost rerespect because he stayed and tried to make Cal relevant. It just didn't work out and it is time to move on. What will really suck is if he goes somewhere else and is really successful. Then I'll know that Cal Football is really cursed!
Shitting the bed like that just teed it up for Ron. He had set expectations and that fugly loss was the clearest signal possible that they wouldn't be met. Had to prove that he really is in control of the program.
I am also assuming he has some donor money lined up that's essentially contingent on him being the guy in charge.
I was hoping we would somehow win out and we could part ways with Wilcox with everyone feeling pretty good about the program. Big picture though getting smashed by Stanford in such an embarrassing fashion probably was a good thing because it made keeping Wilcox completely untenable and gives us a jump start on bringing in the right coach.
Great write up Avi. I am sorry it didn't work out for Coach Wilcox. I have been a staunch supporter of his. But it is time for a change and Ron Rivera will have his hands full.
Ne needs to find a proven winning coach who will come to CAL and fit into the UCB culture. He needs the BIG $$ from donors to pay the coach and show the the new coach he can acquire talent. That translates into an annual NIL fund of at least $30m or more. The new coach needs to be able to assure JKS that he can quickly build a team around him to showcase his talents and deliver wins or JKS is gone...like Mendoza. Ron Rivera has a YUGE job ahead of him.
One more thing. Nick Saban really like the Berkeley atmosphere at Game Day last year. As many of you may recall, he took off his red Bama tie and put on the blue and gold tie. Can we lure him out of retirement? Would he be a fit? ;-)
There is no way Saban is going to risk his legacy by taking on a Cal rebuild. He does not need the money or the headaches at his age. Besides, he’s way too busy talking to a duck, painting walls, installing smoke detectors, and managing his rental property!
Stoked that he's out, but it's still bittersweet to see him go. Cal was seemingly just a few plays away from making it big numerous different times, but there were also far too many times where were inexplicably embarrassed by the worst competition on our schedule.
What comes next is probably the most important hire in our program's history. No pressure
It’s the right move. I’m not happy that it has come to this or will I really celebrate in any way. He’s a good man but as our Coach, just not the right person. Only wish him well and whomever we hire, I’m all in with my support - at least for the first 4 years ;)
I was very impressed with Wilcox's first coaching staff. I was also excited when we finally started playing good ball games against top teams instead of being blown out. The games became watchable and all we needed to do was win more consistently. Wilcox regime started out well but it has become clear we are not getting any further with Wilcox.
Why not have the winningest coach in Cal history be interim coach? Sure he is the Rugby coach and a lot of people want to play three dimensional football and get all fancy and give reasons it wouldn't work
The game of football is won and lost at the line of scrimmage. Jack Clark is a winner, a motivator, and the person that can do the same for football, as he has done for a career at Berkeley, in rugby.
Let's stop looking outside for the answer and look within. Jack has the leadership qualities,and alumni relationships. RR RL need to knock on JC's door. He is just down the hallway!!
I won't quibble about the facts presented in the article. I will, however, quibble about the notion that time was used up with last night's game; time was up, in hindsight, when Cal lost to VT in overtime. That's a game a good team, even an average team, should have won easily against an opponent who recently fired its head coach. Time was up on October 24, 2025.
This coaching staff just isn't very good, nor does it inspire confidence. Here's hoping that the folks who can make it happen, do just that.
Rolovich's years in Hawaii gave him many contacts there; might that help in presuading JKS and the other Polynesians on the team he hangs with to stay around? Or would Rolo have to be hired as HC for that to matter? After his experience in Pullman that seems like a stretch, yet apparently he's being considered by other schools.... I suspect Rivera will have a lot to say about the next hires. We can only hope his contacts help.
Finally. While a ‘nice guy’, that’s not what young men want or need. Strong, exceptional players don’t want a good manager with social skills - they need a tough leader who demands respect and pushes them, with accountability.
He’s gone. It’s the right move but I’m a little nostalgic. When Sonny left I was hoping the door hit his ass on the way out, Justin is different. I think we all wanted Justin to succeed because he loved the program, loved the players, and tried to do things the right way.
We do owe him a lot, he ended the usc streak, brought the axe back home, and also navigated the program through a tough COVID time period.
I’m glad we’ll have a new staff but I wish nothing but the best to Coach Wilcox.
This, oh this!
HaasBear: You are absolutely right! Wilcox is not a bad guy and he will always have my utmost rerespect because he stayed and tried to make Cal relevant. It just didn't work out and it is time to move on. What will really suck is if he goes somewhere else and is really successful. Then I'll know that Cal Football is really cursed!
Wilcox fired, I’d thought they would wait until after SMU game but I’m glad they were decisive after that travesty of a football game last night.
Shitting the bed like that just teed it up for Ron. He had set expectations and that fugly loss was the clearest signal possible that they wouldn't be met. Had to prove that he really is in control of the program.
I am also assuming he has some donor money lined up that's essentially contingent on him being the guy in charge.
I was hoping we would somehow win out and we could part ways with Wilcox with everyone feeling pretty good about the program. Big picture though getting smashed by Stanford in such an embarrassing fashion probably was a good thing because it made keeping Wilcox completely untenable and gives us a jump start on bringing in the right coach.
Me too, I was hoping we will win out and someone will hire Wilcox away.
Great write up Avi. I am sorry it didn't work out for Coach Wilcox. I have been a staunch supporter of his. But it is time for a change and Ron Rivera will have his hands full.
Ne needs to find a proven winning coach who will come to CAL and fit into the UCB culture. He needs the BIG $$ from donors to pay the coach and show the the new coach he can acquire talent. That translates into an annual NIL fund of at least $30m or more. The new coach needs to be able to assure JKS that he can quickly build a team around him to showcase his talents and deliver wins or JKS is gone...like Mendoza. Ron Rivera has a YUGE job ahead of him.
One more thing. Nick Saban really like the Berkeley atmosphere at Game Day last year. As many of you may recall, he took off his red Bama tie and put on the blue and gold tie. Can we lure him out of retirement? Would he be a fit? ;-)
There is no way Saban is going to risk his legacy by taking on a Cal rebuild. He does not need the money or the headaches at his age. Besides, he’s way too busy talking to a duck, painting walls, installing smoke detectors, and managing his rental property!
That was a Rugger troll...well played R.
Touché
Stoked that he's out, but it's still bittersweet to see him go. Cal was seemingly just a few plays away from making it big numerous different times, but there were also far too many times where were inexplicably embarrassed by the worst competition on our schedule.
What comes next is probably the most important hire in our program's history. No pressure
I both am amazed that it took so long, and that they actually did it.
A great person, but somehow keeping the team consistent and disciplined was out of reach. Good luck, Justin.
Pete Thamel reporting Wilcox fired
I watched a bit of the postgame press conference, and his attitude was different somehow, I guess he knew it was coming
It’s the right move. I’m not happy that it has come to this or will I really celebrate in any way. He’s a good man but as our Coach, just not the right person. Only wish him well and whomever we hire, I’m all in with my support - at least for the first 4 years ;)
Well -written assessment with obviously great pains taken to be fair.
I was very impressed with Wilcox's first coaching staff. I was also excited when we finally started playing good ball games against top teams instead of being blown out. The games became watchable and all we needed to do was win more consistently. Wilcox regime started out well but it has become clear we are not getting any further with Wilcox.
Surely something will finally change!
…and it happened!
Maybe Stanford did us a favor last night. Beware of waking a sleeping Bear!
Why not have the winningest coach in Cal history be interim coach? Sure he is the Rugby coach and a lot of people want to play three dimensional football and get all fancy and give reasons it wouldn't work
The game of football is won and lost at the line of scrimmage. Jack Clark is a winner, a motivator, and the person that can do the same for football, as he has done for a career at Berkeley, in rugby.
Let's stop looking outside for the answer and look within. Jack has the leadership qualities,and alumni relationships. RR RL need to knock on JC's door. He is just down the hallway!!
I’ve often thought about that.
I won't quibble about the facts presented in the article. I will, however, quibble about the notion that time was used up with last night's game; time was up, in hindsight, when Cal lost to VT in overtime. That's a game a good team, even an average team, should have won easily against an opponent who recently fired its head coach. Time was up on October 24, 2025.
This coaching staff just isn't very good, nor does it inspire confidence. Here's hoping that the folks who can make it happen, do just that.
Rolovich's years in Hawaii gave him many contacts there; might that help in presuading JKS and the other Polynesians on the team he hangs with to stay around? Or would Rolo have to be hired as HC for that to matter? After his experience in Pullman that seems like a stretch, yet apparently he's being considered by other schools.... I suspect Rivera will have a lot to say about the next hires. We can only hope his contacts help.
Wow, that was fast. Beware the wrath of Avinash!
Finally. While a ‘nice guy’, that’s not what young men want or need. Strong, exceptional players don’t want a good manager with social skills - they need a tough leader who demands respect and pushes them, with accountability.