After nine seasons at the helm, the California Golden Bears have fired head coach Justin Wilcox, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Wilcox departs with a 48-55 record, never posting a winning mark in conference play across the Pac-12 and now the ACC.
The decision came following a 31-10 loss to the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday, a game in which Cal was favored, dropping the Golden Bears to 6-5 on the season and marking their third straight bowl-eligible campaign.
Cal’s athletic department is undergoing substantial changes. The Golden Bears now have co-directors of athletics, Jay Larson and Jenny Simon O’Neill, and recently added former NFL head coach Ron Rivera as football general manager to oversee the program.
Cal began the season with promise behind freshman quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele and a strong transfer class. However, Wilcox's time has faded.
The 5-10 ACC record over the past two seasons and consistent struggles in league play proved to be decisive. Cal turns the page and will soon begin a search for its next leader.
Wilcox is the latest college football coach relieved of his duties. He's due around $10.8 million in a buyout, according to USA TODAY Sports.
Nick Rolovich, the former head coach at Washington State and Hawai'i, has been named interim coach. He'd been working as a senior offensive assistant for Cal this season.
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