Justin Wilcox Turned Down Oregon Job Offer

Report from Oregonian's John Canzano adds clarity to Wilcox's situation

A report today from The Oregonian’s John Canzano rewrote the narrative on Wilcox’s role in the Oregon coaching carousel.

Turns out Justin Wilcox didn’t get passed over for the University of Oregon head coaching job.

He turned the Ducks down.

Oregon AD Rob Mullens formally offered Wilcox the job on Friday, per multiple sources. The kid from Junction City High interviewed well and was told a marketing campaign would be shaped around his return to Oregon. The plan even included T-shirts that would be printed and distributed at his introductory news conference.

On Friday Wilcox told Oregon, “No thanks.”

I’ll bet Mullens -- and Wilcox’s mother -- nearly fell over.

On Friday, there was a confusing period where a report that Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning was offered the job was refuted by many major reporters. Canzano writes that the Oregon administration’s infatuation with Wilcox contributed to this confusion.

Lanning moved into the No. 1 position after Wilcox turned Oregon down. Lanning probably knew he had the job but I’m told the Ducks paused to make one final “Hail Mary” run at Wilcox early Saturday morning. The Cal coach slept on it and told Oregon he still wasn’t coming. Lanning was then announced as the hire at 2 p.m. PT [Saturday] by Mullens.

With Wilcox cementing his love and desire to win in Berkeley, the administration needs to give this man anything he wants to turn the football program into the winner we know it can be under his direction.

Update: This report is also confirmed by Fentress of the Oregonian/OregonLive.com

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress

Yep. I’ve been told the same. This was Wilcox’s job if he wanted it.

John Canzano @johncanzanobft

A twist in Oregon’s football coaching search — Cal coach Justin Wilcox turned down the Ducks. Why? Column: https://t.co/EmoONR4En4