California head coach Justin Wilcox encourages his gamers throughout sport Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Oregon. An Oregon alum, Wilcox was provided the top teaching job in Eugene after the 2021 season however as an alternative elected to stay in Berkeley. Andy Nelson, Related Press
Purdue switch Jack Plummer is amongst three QBs vying for the beginning job in Berkeley this fall. Michael Conroy, Related Press
Editor’s notice: First in a collection of articles inspecting every of the Pac-12 soccer groups heading into the 2022 season.
After final season, California coach Justin Wilcox was provided the job at Oregon, his alma mater, however he opted to stay with the Golden Bears.
Wilcox signed a contract extension by the 2027 season.
“Justin Wilcox is a soccer coach who shares our values and imaginative and prescient, and we wish to guarantee that he's the chief of our program for the long run,” Cal athletic director Jim Knowlton mentioned final January. “He is a good match for Cal Athletics and our college, with a philosophy that locations an emphasis on growing younger males on the sphere, within the classroom and as individuals.”
A 12 months in the past, Cal posted a 5-7 file however did earn wins over rivals Stanford and USC. The Golden Bears misplaced 5 video games by a landing or much less.
“We have to study the teachings from the previous. Final 12 months taught us a whole lot of classes,” Wilcox instructed the Pac-12 Community. “It’s how shut these video games will be and the margins of profitable and dropping in our convention are so small. I believed the urgency within the offseason was evident.”
At quarterback, the Golden Bears should discover a substitute for Chase Garbers. Purdue switch Jack Plummer, Kai Millner and Zach Johnson are vying for that spot because the starter.
“I believed Jack did a pleasant job, an actual clean operation on the market. That’s what he’s achieved all spring,” Wilcox mentioned about Plummer after the spring sport. “He’s been very correct throwing the ball on time. We’re actually trying ahead to an ideal offseason … He’s a really sharp man and a gifted, gifted passer.
“We really feel actually good about Jack and the expansion he’s made in a number of quick months. Kai Millner has taken an enormous step ahead. We really feel actually good about him as nicely. We’re glad to have each of them on the roster.”
In the meantime, Cal misplaced 4 of its prime 5 receivers.
On protection, Cal tied Utah for fewest yards per play allowed, 5.03, in convention video games final season. However the Golden Bears even have some key gamers to switch, together with security Elijah Hicks, linebacker Cameron Goode and linemen Luc Bequette and JH Tevis.
But the Golden Bears might be bowl-eligible in 2022, with nonconference video games towards UC Davis and UNLV. Cal does face Notre Dame on the street, nonetheless.
Cal should enhance on the street. The Golden Bears posted a 1-5 file away from residence final season. Wilcox is optimistic that his group can be a lot improved this season.
“The variety of guys who've taken an enormous leap ahead from final 12 months to now has been actually spectacular,” he mentioned. “And we’re going to have a variety of new starters on each side of the ball however we be ok with the expertise on the roster.”
2021 file: 5-7 (4-5 Pac-12).
Native ties
WR Trond Grizzell (Park Metropolis Excessive)
2022 schedule
Sept. 3 UC Davis
Sept. 10 UNLV
Sept. 17 @ Notre Dame
Sept. 24 Arizona
Oct. 1 Washington State
Oct. 15 @ Colorado
Oct. 22 Washington
Oct. 29 Oregon
Nov. 5 @ USC
Nov. 12 @ Oregon State
Nov. 19 Stanford
Nov. 25 UCLA
Subsequent up: Oregon
Purdue switch Jack Plummer is amongst three QBs vying for the beginning job in Berkeley this fall.
Michael Conroy, Related Press