Cal’s Wilcox: Pac-12 exits ‘unfortunate,’ most likely preventable

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Elder WriterAug 6, 2023, 10:45 PM ET

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• College football press reporter.
• Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
• Graduate of Northwestern University.Cal football coach Justin Wilcox,

who played in the Pac-10 and has actually spent much of his profession in the Pac-12, called Friday’s departures of five groups to other conferences”unfortunate” and most likely preventable.After Oregon and Washington announced their departures for the Big 10

in 2024, and Arizona, Arizona State and Utah did the very same to join the Big 12, Cal is among only 4 remaining Pac-12 members, together with Stanford, Oregon State and Washington State.The departures rocked the 108-year-old conference, which had currently lost USC and UCLA to the Big Ten. Huge 10 presidents initially thought about including Cal and Stanford as well recently, according to sources, before focusing on Oregon and Washington.Wilcox played protective back at Oregon and had numerous family members suit up for the Ducks, including his father,

Dave Wilcox, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Justin Wilcox worked as defensive planner at both Washington and USC, and he is in his 2nd stint at Cal.Editor’s Picks 2 Related” There’s no rejecting the significance of this,”Wilcox informed reporters Sunday.”This is as big an offer as

it gets to be.

Really kind of stunning. Personally, it’s unfortunate. … From what I know, it probably didn’t need to come to this, however things took place along the method and really unfortunate. “So it’s discouraging, there’s some anger in there, however right now, what we’re concentrated on is this season.

“Wilcox has interacted what he wants to see going forward to athletic director Jim Knowlton and chancellor Carol Christ. He said securing Cal’s conference prepare for 2024 and beyond is both immediate and essential, as recruits and others are worried. “There’s issue from all over, I get it,”he stated. “Right now, we do not have sufficient information to address the questions we’re

getting. “Wilcox is the first coach of the 4 remaining Pac-12 schools to speak up given that the 5 departures, but Washington State’s Jake Dickert meant what might be coming Thursday, questioning the influence of media business in shaping conferences and realignment.”The old question of: How long would it take TV cash to ruin college football? Perhaps we’re here,”Dickert stated.”To think even remotely 5 years ago, the Pac-12 would remain in

this position, it’s unthinkable to believe we’re here today. To believe regional rivalries are at threat and fans driving four hours to view their group play in a roadway game is at danger, to me, is unbelievable. … We’ll recall at college football in 20 years and say,’What are we doing?'”