Justin Wilcox Says Cal's New Offense Is 'Significantly Different'

Cal begins its spring workouts on Wednesday, and although head coach Justin Wilcox wants to improve in all areas, two elements will be the focus of observers: the Bears' new offense and the Bears' new quarterback.

The Bears' new offensive coordinator is Jake Spivital, and he brings a new offensive phoilosophy.

"It's significantly different from what we've done in the past," Wilcox said Monday.

It needs to be different, since Cal has not finished better than 10th in the Pac-12 in scoring offense in any of Wilcox's six seasons as the Bears' head coach. It led to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave with two games left in the 2022 season.

So how will this new offense be different?

"It'll be sped up and spread out," Wilcox said. "The use or threat of tempo and use of spacing will look a little new."

So we're expecting a spread offense that gets plays off in a hurry, presumably with some no-huddle possibilities.

This is what Spavital sees for this Cal roster.

"I wouldn't say any two offenses he's coached have looked alike because the players change," said Wilcox.

In this case, one the significant changes in personnel is at quarterback. Jack Plummer, last year's starter, was a classic drop-back passer in the pro-style offense of Cal's then-offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. He ran only when trying to avoid a pass rush.

Now the Bears are counting on TCU transfer quarterback Sam Jackson V, who is exactly the opposite.

(Click here for our interview with Jackson.)

Jackson threw only five passes -- completing all five -- as TCU's third-string quarterback in 2022 as a redshirt freshman. But he has something experience can't teach: speed.

Wilcox says Jackson's biggest asset is his athleticism, and his running threat should help the Bears' passing game.

"It's math," said Wilcox. "If the defense is going to account for the quarterback in the run game, you start running out of people in the coverages you can play."

One issue at the quarterback position is depth. Redshirt freshman Fernando Mendoza is the only other scholarship quarterback on the roster, and Wilcox expects to add a quarterback before the 2023 season begins.

"I'd say it's likely we would add a quarterback," Wilcox said. "At that position I think it's fair to say, just in the numbers."

All spring practices are open to the public. The first of the 15 spring workpouts is scheduled for Wednesday and the second is Saturday.

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