Wilcox must be Oregon’s Troy Taylor. I’m going to need a Wikipedia link to Justin Wilcox’s profile so I can go back and read about his early years at Oregon.
All I know about Troy Taylor is that he left a good D1 coordinator job at Utah to go back to his home town and coach a moribund program - Sac State - that has never done anything that anyone cared about. I am a Sac State graduate and can tell you the football program was nothing when I went there. I never went to a game. All Taylor has done since he got there is go 14-1 in conference with the best offense in the Big Sky conference and a pretty good defense, too. He beat Montana at home this year for the first time in the program's history. And we know what he did to Cal's supposedly tough defense this year. I would be more than pumped about this hiring at Cal and would be willing to accept a few down years to start becasue the offensive cupboard is empty at Cal. The best players like Remigio, Clark and Tonges have already entered the transfer portal when they could have stayed in a graduate program at the university.
I really think there's something to having a coach that understands the unique factors of our environment, especially first hand from having played in it. He seems like a good guy and it's been neat to see how he's turned around the fortunes of Sac State which is basically a commuter school. I enjoyed him in the broadcast booth on KGO when he did it too.
Wilcox --- but the funny thing is, he grew up literally less than 10 miles up a 2-lane road from U of O. And played there. So I can see how he really is an advanced Troy Taylor for Oregon. But...hasn't quite had the success to justify a hiring, IMHO
Wonder if the fact that Wilcox flew to Eugene to interview smack dab in the middle of a crucial recruiting period for Cal will be lost on the Old Blues? Dykes was fired for this.
Seems different. If memory serves correctly, Dykes seemed to be seeking an interview with anyone he could get. This feels way more circumstantial and not intentional. I can't blame Wilcox for accepting an interview under these circumstances.
True. Dykes interviewed everywhere but in Europe and never really committed to Cal. While I don't fault Wilcox for listening, I wish they could've kept it private and maintained the deniability aspect.
Now, that it's out there, it's tough to look parents in the eye and sell them on Cal, no?
It would be tough, but I think Wilcox has an ability to be honest and sincere. He isn't going to spin it with kids. Honestly, this is why he is such an admirable guy. He operates with a level of integrity and intention that is rare among coaches and again, given the circumstances, I think kids would understand he's not shopping for a new job but was presented with an opportunity for a major promotion, so who wouldn't understand that.
Typical of the offseason, so many new posts and don't know where to comment. I thought that's why we have one master thread, but looks like we have a post for each topic too. (Im not complaining)
I will throw a party if Oregon actually pays Cal a buyout to hire Wilcox. I mean, how do you not love that deal? I still think they can and should be able to do better, and we end up with a lame duck-ish coach who we know has interviewed elsewhere, with two years left on his contract, and we just stay in 5-7 football purgatory.
Is the Oregon job really that undesirable? They are seriously entertaining Chip Kelly (hasn't won since leaving Oregon, worst 4 year stretch in UCLA history, pouty non-recruiter) and Wilcox (just so goddamn... average).
I posted this earlier below, but it speaks to your question: Hmm...if you step back and think about it, Oregon historically was a backwoods school. Maybe more like Oregon State and even worse than Cal in many respects. The best run they had was with Bellotti (who was like Terry Donahue and Tedford), until Chip Kelly took them over the top, briefly (though it's sort of been sustained but slowly eroding over 10 years). Has that short flare now been extinguished? To the point where it's not attractive to the top coaching prospects?
It's a good job, tho not the best on the West Coast (USC) b/c the bar is incredibly (unrealistically??) high...there's a reason they keep losing guys to the state of Florida, tho, and if the AD offers it to either Kelly or Wilcox, they're gonna take it.
Still think this is all due diligence and there's another candidate, because neither guy really moves the needle much for a donor/fan base with CFP aspirations/expectations. Chip and Justin are not home run hires like Lincoln Riley was for SC.
If Oregon wants Kelly and Kelly wants to leave UCLA, you would think that they (UCLA and Kelly) could come to mutual terms to waive the $9 million buyout early so as to benefit both parties?
Ah. I guess I don't yet consider that a push so much as a passing comment by a beat reporter (whereas the internal debate is reportedly co-HCs). Semantics.
Hmm...if you step back and think about it, Oregon historically was a backwoods school. Maybe more like Oregon State and even worse than Cal in many respects. The best run they had was with Bellotti (who was like Terry Donahue and Tedford), until Chip Kelly took them over the top, briefly (though it's sort of been sustained but slowly eroding over 10 years). Has that short flare now been extinguished? To the point where it's not attractive to the top coaching prospects?
True....it could've been a phone interview. I assumed a major position like that would be done in person, courtesy of Uncle Phil's jet, tho I could be wrong.
Canzano reported that Wilcox officially interviewed, tho, which means it's out in the open...it's public...which means how can you really sell Cal in a kid's living room when you're interviewing for the HC job at another school in the same division, FFS.
I dunno...Wilcox's time in Berkeley could be short.
Wilcox must be Oregon’s Troy Taylor. I’m going to need a Wikipedia link to Justin Wilcox’s profile so I can go back and read about his early years at Oregon.
I wonder if Addicted to Quack has a GoDucks49 akin to our GoBears49?
Rob B. just now
(GoDucks49)
see wikipedia, my go to source, for history on Wilcox.
I hope so, if not, how would they know about all their coaching candidates history and achievements prior to them being interviewed?
Part of me wonders if Troy Taylor would actually be a better HC in Berkeley than JW....
Love that Wilcox took a break from recruiting responsibilities for Cal during a crucial period to go interview in Eugene. Great.
Boo.
If he can come back with a few of Oregon players, that would be great.
All I know about Troy Taylor is that he left a good D1 coordinator job at Utah to go back to his home town and coach a moribund program - Sac State - that has never done anything that anyone cared about. I am a Sac State graduate and can tell you the football program was nothing when I went there. I never went to a game. All Taylor has done since he got there is go 14-1 in conference with the best offense in the Big Sky conference and a pretty good defense, too. He beat Montana at home this year for the first time in the program's history. And we know what he did to Cal's supposedly tough defense this year. I would be more than pumped about this hiring at Cal and would be willing to accept a few down years to start becasue the offensive cupboard is empty at Cal. The best players like Remigio, Clark and Tonges have already entered the transfer portal when they could have stayed in a graduate program at the university.
I really think there's something to having a coach that understands the unique factors of our environment, especially first hand from having played in it. He seems like a good guy and it's been neat to see how he's turned around the fortunes of Sac State which is basically a commuter school. I enjoyed him in the broadcast booth on KGO when he did it too.
Wilcox --- but the funny thing is, he grew up literally less than 10 miles up a 2-lane road from U of O. And played there. So I can see how he really is an advanced Troy Taylor for Oregon. But...hasn't quite had the success to justify a hiring, IMHO
LOL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Wilcox_(American_football)
Wilcox interviewed today and Oregon Twitter is losing it’s mind!
Hilarious.
Things are gettin' real.
Seems so.
Wonder if the fact that Wilcox flew to Eugene to interview smack dab in the middle of a crucial recruiting period for Cal will be lost on the Old Blues? Dykes was fired for this.
Seems different. If memory serves correctly, Dykes seemed to be seeking an interview with anyone he could get. This feels way more circumstantial and not intentional. I can't blame Wilcox for accepting an interview under these circumstances.
...still, hard to explain this to your recruits on an in-home visit.
True. Dykes interviewed everywhere but in Europe and never really committed to Cal. While I don't fault Wilcox for listening, I wish they could've kept it private and maintained the deniability aspect.
Now, that it's out there, it's tough to look parents in the eye and sell them on Cal, no?
It would be tough, but I think Wilcox has an ability to be honest and sincere. He isn't going to spin it with kids. Honestly, this is why he is such an admirable guy. He operates with a level of integrity and intention that is rare among coaches and again, given the circumstances, I think kids would understand he's not shopping for a new job but was presented with an opportunity for a major promotion, so who wouldn't understand that.
He can tell the kids to do what is best for him and his family.
Typical of the offseason, so many new posts and don't know where to comment. I thought that's why we have one master thread, but looks like we have a post for each topic too. (Im not complaining)
Colin Cowherd gave Justin Wilcox to be the next head coach of Oregon this morning.
https://youtu.be/mld6_-3MFto
That’s what I meant to say. He gave the recommendation. Sorry, I was half asleep when I posted.
I will throw a party if Oregon actually pays Cal a buyout to hire Wilcox. I mean, how do you not love that deal? I still think they can and should be able to do better, and we end up with a lame duck-ish coach who we know has interviewed elsewhere, with two years left on his contract, and we just stay in 5-7 football purgatory.
If Knowlton extends Wilcox in either years, or God forbid, more money, my Cal fandom will be seriously tested...seriously.
Is the Oregon job really that undesirable? They are seriously entertaining Chip Kelly (hasn't won since leaving Oregon, worst 4 year stretch in UCLA history, pouty non-recruiter) and Wilcox (just so goddamn... average).
With the resources Oregon has poured into the program anything other than a Rose Bowl or Playoff birth is a disappointment.
That's a lot of pressure.
Wish Cal had a little bit of that pressure. And those resources!
I posted this earlier below, but it speaks to your question: Hmm...if you step back and think about it, Oregon historically was a backwoods school. Maybe more like Oregon State and even worse than Cal in many respects. The best run they had was with Bellotti (who was like Terry Donahue and Tedford), until Chip Kelly took them over the top, briefly (though it's sort of been sustained but slowly eroding over 10 years). Has that short flare now been extinguished? To the point where it's not attractive to the top coaching prospects?
Oregon was backwoods until Knight got serious. I don't think the pre-Knight era is relevant now.
It's a good job, tho not the best on the West Coast (USC) b/c the bar is incredibly (unrealistically??) high...there's a reason they keep losing guys to the state of Florida, tho, and if the AD offers it to either Kelly or Wilcox, they're gonna take it.
Still think this is all due diligence and there's another candidate, because neither guy really moves the needle much for a donor/fan base with CFP aspirations/expectations. Chip and Justin are not home run hires like Lincoln Riley was for SC.
The second best job on the west coast should yield better candidates than Chip and Justin.
Agree 100%
Why would Wilcox take Heyward but not Sirmon? I'm sure he would take Sirmon and Heyward with him.
If Oregon wants Kelly and Kelly wants to leave UCLA, you would think that they (UCLA and Kelly) could come to mutual terms to waive the $9 million buyout early so as to benefit both parties?
There’s a push for Kelly as HC, w/ Wilcox as DC...
https://twitter.com/johncanzanobft/status/1469054220162666496
A push? As in one anonymous twitter user making a suggestion?
Who knows...Canzano says it was talked about in the Oregon Athletic Dept...tho it's probably BS
Would only make sense if Wilcox gets fired, which isn’t happening. I love my alma mater, but not enough to take a 2 million dollar pay cut
Pay cut and job title cut.
The idea is slightly less crazy—but still crazy—with them being co–head coaches. Not Wilcox as DC under Kelly.
I know...I was alluding to Canzano’s point that JW would have to be DC...
Ah. I guess I don't yet consider that a push so much as a passing comment by a beat reporter (whereas the internal debate is reportedly co-HCs). Semantics.
Yes, semantics. Tho it’s an interesting debate...have any programs tried/had success with a “Co-HC”? I know there’s been plenty of co-coordinators....
That is delusional. Wilcox is not going to take a step down from HC to DC.
Agreed.
Sounds like it’s Chip’s job if he wants it. If not, it may be Wilcox’s, provided the others pass.
Hmm...if you step back and think about it, Oregon historically was a backwoods school. Maybe more like Oregon State and even worse than Cal in many respects. The best run they had was with Bellotti (who was like Terry Donahue and Tedford), until Chip Kelly took them over the top, briefly (though it's sort of been sustained but slowly eroding over 10 years). Has that short flare now been extinguished? To the point where it's not attractive to the top coaching prospects?
I don't see Wilcox having much of a future in Berkeley now that he left the recruiting trail to go interview with a major Conference rival.
Even Dykes never did that.
He may end up as Chip Kelly's DC after all....and good riddance.
Has Knowlton offered Wilcox an extension? He can't recruit effectively without it. Sadly, the writing is on the wall for Wilcox at CAL.
He signed an extension two years ago, keeping him til end of 2023 I believe
Did he really fly to Eugene? I think most interviews are done on the phone or video calls, even more son in the era of Covid.
You’re sure it wasn’t just a phone call?
True....it could've been a phone interview. I assumed a major position like that would be done in person, courtesy of Uncle Phil's jet, tho I could be wrong.
Canzano reported that Wilcox officially interviewed, tho, which means it's out in the open...it's public...which means how can you really sell Cal in a kid's living room when you're interviewing for the HC job at another school in the same division, FFS.
I dunno...Wilcox's time in Berkeley could be short.