The Oregon Ducks find themselves in an impromptu head coaching search after Mario Cristobal decided to leave to take the Miami job. While there have been a lot of big names thrown around, like Lane Kiffin and Chip Kelly, it’s much more likely that the Ducks will have to invest in a younger coach looking to make their legacy rather than one who already has one.
We know that the school has talked to BYU’s Kalani Sitake. Wednesday, Oregonian reporter John Canzano said that the school had asked permission to interview Cal Golden Bears assistant coach Justin Wilcox about the position as well.
Oregon has asked permission to interview with Cal coach Justin Wilcox, per source.
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) December 9, 2021
Wilcox is the kind of candidate who checks a lot of boxes for Oregon. Born in Eugene, Wilcox played for the Ducks in the late 90s before transitioning over to coaching. He’s moved amongst some of the biggest programs in the country, including Boise State, Tennessee, Washington, USC, and Wisconsin, spending a solid decade as defensive coordinator at many of those stops. He took over as the head coach at Cal in 2017 to middling results so far. Despite an 8-5 season in 2019, he’s 26-28 in five seasons in Berkeley. But if he had the resources available at his alma mater, would that help him get to the next level?
That’s the big question for Oregon as they speak with him about the opening. And it’s also what a lot of college football folks are wondering about on social media.
i get there are supply chain issues but nike can't be this broke https://t.co/ZCgLYewcwR
— The Smoking Musket (@smokingmusket) December 9, 2021
Phil knight not using his money in this school https://t.co/pQz7r5nfqA
— Los Herbstreit (@LoS0__) December 9, 2021
But like… why https://t.co/kio7JDgwzH
— Barstool Ducks (@BarstoolDucks) December 9, 2021
Need a hire no later than Friday. If this is true, the fact he's getting a call now means Oregon has their guy and this is a courtesy or options are running low and we're approaching last resorts. Might be Chip or Wilcox which is absolutely not what I wanted. https://t.co/ON1eTsJrtS
— Cyrus Smith (@CoolCyWrites) December 9, 2021
If Wilcox didn’t play at Oregon he wouldn’t even get looked at https://t.co/KM7SvH5SXg
— 🦅 Steely Dave🦆 (@DRA080) December 9, 2021
There are a lot of strong opinions out there about the Ducks coaching search and Wilcox’s bona fides. In the meantime, Canzano has also said that Oregon is talking with “at least two other candidates” and “one of those is in the NFL,” which is sure to spark some intrigue as well.
Oregon is also talking with at least two other candidates, I’m told. One of those is in the NFL.
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) December 9, 2021
We’re guessing we’ll see a conclusion to the Oregon head coaching search soon. Then, the coaching search for the school that the coach just left can begin!
