Report: Wisconsin DC Justin Wilcox ‘to get strong consideration’ for Cal head coaching job

Could another Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator get an opportunity elsewhere?

Cal fired head coach Sonny Dykes on Sunday, which was first reported by Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman. Dykes registered a 19-30 record the past four seasons.

With that new opening, Feldman also reported current Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is expected “to get strong consideration” for the head coaching job.

Despite the loss of previous coordinator Dave Aranda to LSU at the beginning of 2016, Wilcox’s defense ranked among the best in the nation. UW ranked third in rush defense (98.8 yards per game), fourth in both scoring defense (15.6 points per game) and third down conversion defense (27.9 percent), while finishing seventh in total defense (301.4 yards per contest).

Wisconsin also tied for second in the nation in interceptions with 22.

Eleven Badgers defenders earned all-conference honors in 2016 from first-team All-Big Ten to honorable mention. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt was a consensus first-team all-conference selection, with cornerback Sojourn Shelton earning first-team honors by the media. ESPN and Sports Illustrated named Watt as a first-team All-American selection, with second-team honors coming from the Associated Press and CBSSports.com.

It would be the first head coaching job for Wilcox, who coached the linebackers at Cal from 2003-05. Since 2006, he has been defensive coordinator at Boise State, Tennessee, Washington and USC.

Feldman noted current offensive coordinator Jake Spavital could be a possible replacement for the Pac-12 program, and his report stated Cal hopes to have its new head coach in place by the end of this week.

Keep posted to B5Q for more information as it becomes available.