Where Does Justin Wilcox Rank Among ACC Football Coaches?

Several sites rate the coaches in Cal’s new conference from No. 1 through No. 17

Cal head coach Justin Wilcox watches during the 2023 Independence Bowl / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

How do the experts view the skills of Cal head coach Justin Wilcox relative to the impact made by other football coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference? Well, in general, they are not particularly impressed with the Golden Bears’ coach as Cal begins play in the ACC this year.

CBS Sports published its ranking of the ACC football coaches a few days ago, and we present CBS’ ranking as well as the ACC coach rankings of three other sites published earlier this year.

Here’s how these four sites ranked ACC coaches, with a comment from each regarding Wilcox:

CBS Sports (Chip Patterson)

--- 1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

--- 2. Mike Norvell, Florida State

--- 3. Dave Doeren, North Carolina State

--- 4. Jeff Brohm, Louisville

--- 5. Dave Clawson, Wake Forest

--- 6. Mario Cristobal, Miami

--- 7. Mack Brown, North Carolina

--- 8. Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh

--- 9. Rhett Lashlee, SMU

--- 10. Manny Diaz, Duke

--- 11. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech

--- 12. Bill O’Brien, Boston College

--- 13. Brent Key, Georgia Tech

--- 14. Justin Wilcox, Cal

Justin Wilcox (No. 57 overall): Entering Year 8 at Cal, Wilcox boasts a 36-43 overall record with just three bowl appearances and no seasons with a winning record in conference play. But with 2023 feeling a step back in the right direction, Wilcox has a chance to reverse some of those trends with a strong debut in the ACC. He's got a veteran team and true star in running back Jadyn Ott, leaving the results of 2024 to tell us a lot about his future in these rankings. Last year: N/A in the ACC

--- 15. Troy Taylor, Stanford

--- 16. Tony Elliott, Virginia

--- 17. Fran Brown, Syracuse

.

Athlon Sports

--- 1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

--- 2. Mike Norvell, Florida State

--- 3. Jeff Brohm, Louisville

--- 4. Dave Deren, North Carolina State

--- 5. Dave Clawson, Wake Forest

--- 6. Mario Cristobal, Miami

--- 7. Mack Brown, North Carolina

--- 8. Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh

--- 9. Rhett Lashlee, SMU

--- 10. Bill O’Brien, Boston College

--- 11. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech

--- 12. Brent Key, Georgia Tech

--- 13. Manny Diaz, Duke

--- 14. Justin Wilcox, Cal

California is a tough job that's only getting more challenging in the ACC. Wilcox has compiled a 36-43 mark since taking over in '17 and guided the program to three bowl trips. Last year's six wins helped to end a bowl drought that dated back to '19. Under Wilcox, the Golden Bears have yet to post a winning mark in conference play (21-37 in the Pac-12) and the program's last winning season took place in '19. The defense (Wilcox's side of the ball) has declined in performance over the last two years and allowed 32.8 points a game in '23.

--- 15. Troy Taylor, Stanford

--- 16. Tony Elliott, Virginia

--- 17. Fran Brown, Syracuse

.

On3 (Jesse Simonton)

--- 1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

--- 2. Mike Norvell, Florida State

--- 3. Jeff Brohm, Louisville

--- 4. Dave Doeren, North Carolina State

--- 5. Dave Clawson, Wake Forest

--- 6. Mario Cristobal, Miami

--- 7. Bill O’Brien, Boston College

--- 8. Rhett Lashlee, SMU

--- 9. Mack Brown, North Carolina

--- 10. Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh

--- 11. Brent Key, Georgia Tech

--- 12. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech

--- 13. Manny Diaz, Duke

--- 14. Justin Wilcox, Cal

It’s taken Wilcox a couple seasons to rebound from the pandemic, but the Golden Bears did make a bowl game for the first time since 2019. 

Wilcox finally found an answer for the program’s recent offensive issues with the hiring of Texas State head coach Jake Spavital. Cal went from 96th nationally in scoring to 52nd, but Spavital is gone to Baylor, so Wilcox is hoping to keep the momentum going with promoted offensive line coach Mike Bloesch. 

--- 15. Troy Taylor, Stanford

--- 16. Tony Elliott, Virginia

--- 17. Fran Brown, Syracuse

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College Football News (Pete Fiutak)

--- 1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

--- 2. Mike Norvell, Florida State

--- 3. Jeff Brohm, Louisville

--- 4. Dave Clawson, Wake Forest

--- 5. Mario Cristobal, Miami

--- 6. Dave Doeren, North Carolina State

--- 7. Rhett Lashlee, SMU

--- 8. Mack Brown, North Carolina

--- 9. Brent Key, Georgia Tech

--- 10. Bill O’Brien, Boston College

--- 11. Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh

--- 12. Brent Pry, Virginia Tech

--- 13. Manny Diaz, Duke

--- 14. Justin Wilcox, Cal

Took Cal to bowls in 3 of last 6 seasons

Wins as FBS Coach: 36

Career FBS Win %: 45.6

Winning FBS Seasons: 2

FBS Conference Championships: 0

Total FBS Seasons: 7

--- 15. Troy Taylor, Stanford

--- 16. Tony Elliott, Virginia

--- 17. Fran Brown, Syracuse

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