Another coaching domino just toppled in the college football world. The California Golden Bears have officially cut ties with Justin Wilcox after a 48-55 run across nine seasons, GM Ron Rivera confirmed Sunday. With nearly $11 million heading Wilcox’s way in buyout cash, the hunt is on for the next captain of the ship. Here are three top names who could slide into the driver’s seat.

Three potential coaches for California Golden Bears to replace Justin Wilcox

Will Stein

Exploring potential top candidates, Oregon Ducks’ offensive coordinator Will Stein comes onto the list. Stein turned Bo Nix into a star and elevated Dillon Gabriel, to name a few of his achievements. Now he’s cooking with Dante Moore, too. The coach’s quarterback magic just doesn’t miss.

However, moving away from Justin Wilcox with an assistant coach might raise doubts. California’s history has already proven that taking enormous risks pays off.

Top Stories

Travis Kelce Announces New Career Move Away From Chiefs After Confirming Retirement Stance

Tragic Death of Shaq & Kobe’s Ex-Teammate Linked to Fatal Mistake, Authorities Confirm

Josh Allen Announces Tough News for Bills Amid Sean McDermott’s Concerns Ahead of Broncos Game

Jerry Jones Announces Retirement Plans as Dallas Cowboys Owner Makes Triple Decision on Coaching Hiring

Tiger Woods’s GF Vanessa Trump and Daughter Kai Steal the Spotlight at His 50th Birthday Bash

Robert Kraft Calls Jerod Mayo’s Firing ‘Worst’ Financial Implication Since Owning Patriots With a Message on Mike Vrabel

Notably, California went bold in 2002, handing the keys to Jeff Tedford, a guy who’d never been a head coach but had a sharp offensive mind from his Oregon OC days. 11 seasons later, he delivered an impressive 82-57 run. Cut to Stein.

Justin Wilcox built his brand on defense before Cal handed him the big chair. After how things played out, Cal’s brass might think twice before going down that road again. Stein’s a Louisville kid and ex-Cardinal QB, but his résumé stretches coast to coast, with high school and college gigs in Texas.

But in the last two years, he has been cooking out West. Stein’s offense has Oregon humming, sitting No. 2 in Big Ten scoring and No. 4 nationally in yards per play. Plus, before he brought the fireworks to Eugene, he was orchestrating UTSA’s attack in 2022.

Jim Mora

In case Cal is skeptical about not replacing Wilcox with an assistant coach, here comes another option- Jim Mora. The UConn Huskies head coach pulled off one of the most impressive coaching feats of the year by steering the Huskies to another nine-win season. He’s already logged two 10-win campaigns at UCLA and knows the West Coast like the back of his hand.

But what comes off as his USP to fill Justin Wilcox’s shoes? His NFL pedigree.

Mora has made multiple stops at the New Orleans Saints (DB), the San Francisco 49ers (DB), and has served as head coach at the Atlanta Falcons, among others. Hailing from California, Mora went 46-30 at UCLA Bruins and has posted a 27-23 tally in four years at UConn, steady results coast to coast.

Mora feels like a ready-made Wilcox’s replacement. He’s coached against them at UCLA, worked in the Bay as the 49ers’ DC, and knows the territory inside out. The catch? Cal will have to sprint, not stroll, as Stanford locks eyes on him.

Pat Fitzgerald

Notably, Cal could add another seasoned skipper to the mix, but this one comes with a “former head coach” label attached. Pat Fitzgerald, once the face of Northwestern football, said he feels “100% vindicated” after the August settlement that followed his wrongful-termination saga. 

Hazing allegations prompted Northwestern to fire Fitzgerald, who countered with a $130 million wrongful termination lawsuit. Come August, the saga ended in a hush-hush settlement with no terms revealed. Fitzgerald’s 17-year Northwestern run closed at 110-101 with 11 bowl trips and two West division titles, and he still turned down suitors from bluebloods like Michigan to several NFL teams. 

Post-firing, he has been in football graduate school. Fitzgerald has been visiting NFL camps, dropping in on colleges, and absorbing every schematic shift to stay ready for his next jump. 

These are the realistic options to slide into Justin Wilcox’s chair. His nine-year ride is over, and now the race begins to see who steps up and when.