California has announced the dismissal of head football coach Justin Wilcox, following a disappointing 31-10 loss to rival Stanford, which marked the Bears’ downfall to a 6-5 record for the season. This decision was made public on Sunday, a day after the disappointing matchup where Stanford, despite entering the game with a 4-6 record, secured a convincing victory.
Ron Rivera, the general manager, expressed gratitude towards Wilcox for his service, noting, “I want to thank Justin for all of his contributions to our football program, our athletic department, and our university. He has always comported himself with class and professionalism. After careful consideration, we believe the time has come for new leadership. We wish Justin the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
During his tenure of nine seasons with the Bears, Wilcox managed a record of 48-55 but has struggled to maintain a winning season since 2019. This season began positively with a 5-2 start; however, the Bears have faced challenges, losing three of their last four games.
Looking ahead, Cal will conclude the season with a home game against SMU next Saturday. In the interim, senior offensive assistant Nick Rolovich, previously head coach at Washington State and Hawaii, has been appointed to lead the Bears through the remainder of the season.
Wilcox’s departure makes Cal the 14th Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program to undergo a coaching change this cycle, joining notable programs such as Stanford and Virginia Tech, which recently hired former Penn State coach James Franklin.
This transition represents not only a fresh beginning for the Bears but also an opportunity for the program to re-establish itself in the competitive landscape of college football. As the Bears prepare for their final game, fans and players alike will look ahead to a revised vision for the future.