After nine seasons, Justin Wilcox and the California Golden Bears have finally parted ways. This season saw flashes that Wilcox can finally get over that 6 or 7 (no pun intended) wins that he has been stuck as his ceiling for quite some time, but losses to San Diego State and Virginia Tech and their true freshman's inaccuracy and growing pains this season kinda shown they wouldn't be able to get over that hump.
Also, I have made a coach candidate list for all of the FBS openings this season and will leave the link to all of them below:
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/college_football/p/ehkeG_1Wbo6Yb-/coach-candidate-tier-list-links
Before I get the question in the comment section, no. I do not believe that the Cal job will be the last firing, actually I was hearing through the grape vines that a certain C-USA school was going to open up today, which has yet to come true as of 7:18 PM CT on November 23rd. I expect maybe three more firings, and it may all happen Saturday and Sunday. I expect multiple coaches leaving their schools, but they will not be fired and be one of those three firings that I predicted, that's a whole different prediction.
Real quick, this coach change was must needed and came too late and should had happened years ago. When March came around and fans and boosters were upset that the AD refused to make changes and decided to hire a GM to ease the problems and those same fans and boosters were wanting that GM to take over as the HC showed me that there is real dysfunction beyond the 6 or 7 (stop those jokes) wins that they have stayed at for quite some time. Whoever they hire has to know what they are getting into is that they are seeing a higher level than where they are now and want to reach that level almost immediately.
The Boosters Choice
Ron Rivera, Cal (GM; 2025-?)
Former Super Bowl coach for the Carolina Panthers turned General Manager for his alma mater is who the boosters were trying to get to take the job over their current HC during the summer but has seemed as of he is enjoying being in a front office role instead of being on the field. I have yet to see his name floated around, but I kinda believe that because it is so late in the coach carousel cycle that they already have their guy figured out, and everyone knows who that will be.
The Open Secret
Tosh Lupoi, Oregon (DC; 2022-?)
Not even an hour after it was reported that Wilcox got the boot, there were reports that the Cal alum and former Saban and Chris Petersen assistant was the "prime" candidate for the job. When one coach gets fired and a few minutes later a new name comes up and has the word "leading" or "prime" and not the words "could" or "possibly" then there are likely chances this is the guy they have in mind. If so, great hire! Like I said, a former Saban and Petersen assistant who have been two of the top college football coaches in the 2010's (my personal one and two, respectively) and was seen as a potential HC candidate in 2017 and 2018 and chose the NFL instead made me wonder if he would ever want to be a HC or is just waiting for the right job. Being a former Golden Bear may be the job he was waiting for.
The Other Options
Jason Eck, New Mexico (2025-?)
I'm a big fan of his going back to Idaho, I just don't see him leaving after one year at New Mexico. The ultimate program rebuilder. Took Idaho who was at it's lowest and made them a top 10 FCS team for like two or three years and should had been the only loss on Oregon's 2024 schedule. Now he has New Mexico sitting at 8-3 and possibly could make a MWC Championship Game if everything goes it's way.
Sean Lewis, San Diego State (2024-?)
He was at Kent State and took them to the MAC Championship one year while also having a top 3 offense for two years in a row, now he is at San Diego State with the MWC Championship game pretty much locked up with a top 10 defense. I feel confident in saying he is waiting for some other job to open up, because he isn't going to stay in California much longer.
Ryan Grubb, Alabama (OC; 2025-?)
I really like this option, though I don't know if he is even considering leaving DeBoer once again. He tried it last year and got fired. He will eventually leave DeBoer once again, I just don't think it will be this year.
Jimmie Dougherty, Washington (OC; 2025-?)
I want him to get an opportunity as a HC some day. He was my top candidate when Jedd Fisch left for Washington. Was a fantastic PGC and QB coach and done a great job with Jayden de Laura and Noah Fifta at Arizona and eventually with Demond Williams as the OC for the Huskies. I don't know when he will get the opportunity, I just hope he starts getting traction this coach cycle and eventually end up coaching some Sun Belt or Mountain West school soon.
Well...
DeSean Jackson, Delaware State (2025-?)
The former Cal WR is now a HC at Delaware State. He hasn't been that bad going 8-4 and had a chance to win the MEAC and go to the Celebration Bowl. I would not be opposed to hiring him, especially with Rivera as the GM and can mentor him. But, I don't see Cal going that direction in hiring someone with little experience as a coach in general.
There is my list. Let me know your thoughts down below! Kinda miss making these lists, but don't feel like they are needed for some of these jobs currently open. I may make a Auburn or LSU one this week if it doesn't sound like either schools are "getting serious" with any candidate. Feel like the Kiffin to LSU contract leak was smoke and mirrors done to throw us off, but we'll see.