Cal Fires Justin Wilcox After Nine Seasons, Launches Wide-Ranging Search for Next Head Coach

California entered rivalry weekend hoping to extend its recent dominance over Stanford, but instead left the Bay Area showdown with a 31–10 defeat — and a major program shift. Less than 24 hours after the loss, the university fired head coach Justin Wilcox, ending his nine-season tenure in Berkeley.

The decision comes at a complicated moment for the Golden Bears. Cal remains bowl eligible for the third consecutive year and still has a regular-season game remaining against SMU, a matchup with ACC implications. Yet the administration chose to act now, signaling deeper concerns about stagnation and long-term direction.

Wilcox, who signed an extension in early 2022 that ran through 2027, was thought to have security as the program transitioned into a new phase. But inconsistent results, roster turnover, and mounting frustration among the fan base and donors contributed to the move.

As Cal prepares for a coaching search under an evolving athletic department structure — one now featuring program legend Ron Rivera as general manager — the Bears face a pivotal moment that will shape the program’s place in the expanded ACC landscape.

1. Wilcox’s Tenure: Flashes of Success, Lingering Limitations

During his time in Berkeley, Wilcox delivered stability and flashes of competitiveness. Cal reached five bowl games under his leadership and remained defensively sound, often punching above its weight in physical matchups. His teams continued to qualify academically at a high level, a priority for the university. But on-field results plateaued. None of Wilcox’s squads won more than eight games, and his bowl record stood at 1–3. While Cal maintained bowl eligibility, the program struggled to break into the upper tier of the Pac-12 before its transition to the ACC. Frustrating late-season fades and difficulty winning key rivalry games added to broader concerns. Roster attrition further clouded Wilcox’s outlook. Impact players such as Fernando Mendoza and Jadyn Ott departed via the transfer portal, departures linked to reported tension between players and new offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin. Losing homegrown talent repeatedly struck a nerve among fans who wanted Cal to prioritize local recruiting. Although Wilcox notched some recruiting victories — including landing five-star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele — the Bears also missed on several local prospects and saw limited returns from notable transfer additions, including quarterback Devin Brown and cornerback Jordan Sanford.

2. The Search Begins: Coordinators, Alumni, and Fast Risers in the Mix

Cal’s coaching search will unfold under the guidance of Rivera and co-athletic directors Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O’Neil. With leadership roles still in flux, the program is expected to cast a wide net. Several early contenders bring ties to the West Coast or direct connections to Rivera. Former NFL and college head coach Steve Wilks is among the most notable. A longtime Rivera assistant during their Super Bowl run with the Carolina Panthers, Wilks carries deep defensive credentials and West Coast familiarity from his tenure with the 49ers. His head-coaching record is modest, but his ties to Rivera could weigh heavily. Another candidate generating attention is Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. A Cal alumnus and Bay Area native, Lupoi would arrive with both institutional knowledge and recruiting influence. Some within the program may hesitate given that Wilcox also came from Oregon’s coaching pipeline, but Lupoi’s alumni backing could be significant. San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis represents a different profile: a young offensive innovator with a track record of rapid turnarounds. At SDSU, he has lifted the Aztecs into conference-title contention behind a modern, up-tempo RPO system that contrasts sharply with Cal’s recent offensive struggles.

3. Veteran Options Offer Experience and Stability

Cal may also consider coaches with long résumés and proven rebuilding experience. Former UCLA head coach Jim Mora brings familiarity with both the UC system and the West Coast recruiting landscape. Now at UConn, Mora has produced consecutive nine-win seasons despite limited institutional resources — a quality that could resonate in Berkeley. Mora’s success developing disciplined defenses and elevating underfunded programs positions him as one of the more experienced candidates on the market. His prior time at UCLA may also offer Cal a clearer sense of how he’d fit at another academically rigorous Pac-12-to-ACC institution. Another veteran name drawing mention is Bronco Mendenhall, who recently led Utah State to bowl eligibility and previously guided Virginia to the ACC Championship Game in 2019. His rebuilding of New Mexico in a single season also demonstrates his ability to stabilize struggling programs. Mendenhall’s familiarity with the ACC and track record of elevating developmental rosters make him an intriguing dark-horse option. For a Cal program seeking renewed identity and momentum, his experience could hold appeal.