Justin Wilcox on Pac-12 Demise: 'This Is as Big a Deal as It Gets'

Cal's head coach said the departure of eight schools from the conference 'is really kind of shocking.' Recruits concerned

Cal head football coach Justin Wilcox was explicit in his reaction to the demise of the Pac-12 as we know it, calling it "shocking" and adding "there's some anger there," while not diminishing the importance of being part of a conference that, at the moment, is scheduled to have just four members in 2024.

"There's no denying the significance of this," Wilcox said Sunday. "This is as big a deal as it gets to be."

Like officials at the other three remaining Pac-12 schools (Stanford, Oregon State, Washington State as well as Cal), Wilcox is trying to make sense of what happened on Friday, when Oregon and Washington left for the Big Ten and Arizona, Arizona State and Utah left for the Big 12, joining Colorado in that conference.

"It's really kind of shocking," Wilcox said, "Personally it's sad. From what I know it probably didn't need to come to this.

"Frustrating, there's some anger there."

Cal has been a member of this conference, under a variety of names, since 1915, as noted in this Jon Wilner tweet.  Now Cal must look elsewhere.

The morning after ... pic.twitter.com/TFP0MH6X9g

— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) August 5, 2023

Nobody, including Wilcox, knows what conference -- if any -- Cal will occupy in 2024, since the eight departing teams (including UCLA and USC) will all be part of difference conference at this time a year from now.

Wilcox has communicated with athletic director Jim Knowlton and chancellor Carol Christ, but did not specify what message he relayed to them.

"They know how I feel and we feel as a program," he said.

---Click here for a report by Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News that points out the 12 mistakes the Pac-12 made that led to th end of the Pac-12 as we know it---

Fifth-year Cal defensive back Craig Woodson said the Pac-12's deterioration "is definitely sad" but will try to focus on this season.

The two biggest immediate concerns are (1.) the effect the demise of the Pac-12 has had on Cal recruits, and (2.) the need for a decision on Cal's 2024 conference home to be made quickly so the Bears can prepare for next season in all sports.

Wilcox admitted the end of the Pac-12 in its present state will influence recruits.

"Certainly," he said. "There's concern from everywhere. I get it. It's a big deal."

But he said he does not have enough information to answer all their questions.

Cal quarterback commit Ed Caminong had this reaction to the Pac-12 situation, according to Golden Bear Report.:

“It is a little concerning due to the fact it’s so uncertain, and all I can do in my position is watch things play out, but at the same time that’s what it is, something no one can really control except the schools themselves. Even then it doesn’t change my commitment or feeling with Cal.”

Cal defensive lineman commit Michael-Anthony Okwura sounded more concerned, saying this:

“I am very concerned about the Pac-12 falling apart. I wanted to become a part of a conference that could uphold great competition. This has not had any impact on my commitment so far. I believe in Cal and hopefully things can change for the better in the future. If possible, Cal to the Big 12, but I know that is very slim.” 

Woodson said he would try to focus on the whole package Cal provides when hosting a recruit.

But nobody knows what to tell recruits until some decision is made on the conference in which Cal will be member next season.  Will Cal convince the Big Ten to take the Bears? Will Cal become an independent for a season or two? Will Cal join the Mountain West Conference? Will Cal become part of a reconfigured Pac-12 after several schools are added? Is the ACC a possibility?

In any case Cal must know what will happen in 2024 soon, presumably well before the 2023 football season is over, so it can make the appropriate plans for scheduling, travel, spring ball and a host of other things.

How soon does Wilcox believe a decision must be made?

"Sooner rather than later," he said. "What does that mean? Is that days?  A week?  I don't know."

Uncertainty is not pleasant.

Of all the Pac-12 coaches impacted by Friday's news, Cal's Justin Wilcox likely took it the hardest. He hails from one of Oregon's greatest football families, and coached at USC and Washington.

"It's frustrating, there's some anger in there."

Story: https://t.co/ls0S5VmIyz

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 7, 2023

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