Cal Fires Justin Wilcox After Rivalry Loss, Turns to Nick Rolovich as Interim Coach

California became the latest Power Conference program to initiate a coaching change on Sunday, removing Justin Wilcox after nine seasons at the helm. The decision followed a 31–10 loss to Stanford, a rivalry matchup that cost the Golden Bears the prized Axe trophy and underscored the program’s lingering inconsistencies.

Wilcox had appeared to be secure earlier in the year after guiding Cal to a third straight bowl-eligible campaign — a milestone matched previously only by Jeff Tedford and Pappy Waldorf. The achievement suggested stability in Berkeley and hinted at incremental progress, even as the program sought to elevate its competitive ceiling.

Ultimately, that upward trajectory never materialized. The Golden Bears failed to surpass the eight-win mark during Wilcox’s tenure, and Saturday’s lopsided rivalry loss proved to be the breaking point. Cal now sits at 6–5 with one regular-season game remaining, entering a critical transition period both on the field and within its athletic department structure.

As the program prepares to face SMU in its Atlantic Coast Conference finale, the Bears will be led by new interim head coach Nick Rolovich — a figure familiar with both leadership roles and controversy.

1. Wilcox’s Tenure: Bowl Consistency, Competitive Ceiling

Wilcox’s tenure in Berkeley featured moments of promise, including defensive improvement, strong player development, and a steady pipeline of bowl appearances. His teams often played with grit and discipline, characteristics that helped Cal remain competitive even as the program navigated broader changes in college football. However, Wilcox was unable to emulate the sustained success achieved by his former mentor Jeff Tedford, whose teams regularly contended at the top of the Pac-12. Under Wilcox, the Bears consistently hovered near the middle of the standings and struggled to break through against elite competition. The Stanford loss punctuated those long-standing struggles. Even as the Cardinal navigated their own coaching reshuffle — transitioning from Troy Taylor to Frank Reich — they outmatched a Cal team that lacked rhythm and urgency in one of the season’s most meaningful games. Cal’s overall record sits at 6–5, a reflection of a season marked by flashes of potential but undermined by inconsistency and missed opportunities.

2. Rolovich Takes Over: Experience and Baggage

Interim head coach Nick Rolovich steps into a familiar role. He previously led programs at Hawaii and Washington State, earning praise early in his career for offensive innovation and player rapport. His run at Hawaii included an improved win-loss record and a bowl appearance, traits that may provide short-term steadiness for Cal. Rolovich’s tenure at Washington State, however, ended abruptly in 2021 when he was dismissed for refusing to comply with the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. His subsequent wrongful-termination lawsuit was unsuccessful, resurfacing controversies that continue to follow him. Even so, Rolovich’s experience managing rosters and leading programs through transition may prove valuable as Cal stabilizes ahead of its postseason bid. His immediate challenge will be preparing the team for SMU, a program one win away from securing a spot in the ACC Championship Game. His appointment also buys Cal time as it evaluates long-term options for the full-time position under a reshaped leadership structure that includes former NFL coach and Cal alum Ron Rivera as general manager.

3. Program Reset: Recruiting Hits, Transfer Losses, and a Changing Landscape

Cal’s mixed results under Wilcox reflected broader challenges in adapting to the modern college football landscape. While he landed rare high-profile recruits — including five-star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who later won the starting job — the Bears struggled to retain talent amid rising player mobility. The program lost star running back Jaydn Ott to the transfer portal during reported tensions involving new offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin. The most damaging departure was quarterback Fernando Mendoza, whose breakout season at Indiana has vaulted him into the Heisman conversation, highlighting the difficulty Cal has had in sustaining roster continuity. These issues unfolded as Rivera assumed a larger role within the athletic department, helping guide strategic decisions and evaluating long-term program direction. Expectations will now fall heavily on Cal’s next head coach to establish stability, embrace NIL and portal dynamics, and reignite recruiting within the state of California — long considered a crucial but underutilized pipeline. As the Bears look ahead to their third season in the ACC, the challenge is clear: Cal has not reached the 10-win threshold since 2006, and the next coach must elevate the program beyond incremental progress.