Sep 10, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox watches his squad practice before the game with the Akron Zips at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Akron 54-10. Photo Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Cal is close to announcing that Wisconsin defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox will be its next head coach, multiple media outlets reported Thursday night.
Wilcox, who was a Cal assistant coach for three seasons (2003-05), would replace Sonny Dykes, who was fired over the weekend after four years as the Golden Bears’ head coach.
Wilcox, 40, reportedly was in negotiations with Cal officials to finalize a contract.
According to reports, Dykes’ dismissal resulted from poor season ticket sales and his pursuit of job openings at Baylor and Houston as well as mediocre results. Dykes finished 19-30 with just one winning season in four years at Berkeley.
Athletic director Mike Williams said he wanted a coach who would remain at Cal for the long term.
Wilcox was raised in Oregon and played for the Ducks. He later worked as a graduate assistant at Boise State before joining the Bears’ staff under Jeff Tedford.
Following his time as a Cal assistant, Wilcox was a top assistant at several major programs, including Tennessee, Washington and USC.
Most recently, he served as defensive coordinator under Paul Chryst at Wisconsin in 2016. The Badgers had one of the top defensive units in the country this season.
Wilcox and Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital were the only confirmed finalists for the Bears’ vacancy.
The San Jose Mercury News reported that former Cal assistant coach Tosh Lupoi figures to be a candidate to serve as defensive coordinator under Wilcox, with whom he is close.
