Possible Head Coach Candidates for Cal

In the collegiate ranks he was a Nick Saban assistant at Alabama in addition to a stop at Washington. He has never been a head coach before, but his time is probably near. There’s always risk, especially for a Power Four team, in a first-time head coach but this move would seem logical. His defense for No. 6 Oregon (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) has been stellar over multiple seasons. 

Sean Lewis

Head Coach, San Diego State

Lewis and the Aztecs (9-2, 6-1 MWC) have been the surprise of the season in the Mountain West. We’re seeing this from a team who was 3-9 last year and has already tripled the 2024-win total. San Diego State looks like a team who is primed to compete in the conference title game.

Lewis might garner other interest from P4 schools this offseason. Prior to SDSU he was the Colorado offensive coordinator and, before that, head coach at Kent State where he had them more competitive than they’d been in awhile. 

Jason Eck

Head Coach, New Mexico

Eck is in his first season at New Mexico (8-3, 5-2 MWC). That might complicate things as some coaches won’t leave that quickly and some schools want more proof.  In three years at Idaho Eck was 26-13 with all but one of those losses to a ranked or FBS team.

The Vandals made a playoff appearance in each of his seasons. He took over for Bronco Mendenhall and kept the momentum going. He is a top-notch coach and eccentric personality who might be a great fit in Berkeley, Calif.

Nick Rolovich

Interim Head Coach, Cal

The man who will be tasked with coaching Cal’s regular season finale and bowl game. Rolovich was a pretty good coach at Hawaii and had two very good years before bolting to Washington State. He had them looking solid in 2021 before his unceremonious exit where, in my opinion, both he and Cougars administration got it wrong.

But that is behind us and time heals all wounds or at least this one. He knows the West Coast, is a successful offensive-minded coach, and has won in this region before. I don’t know if he’ll be the first choice, but he’s a legitimate contender, especially if they win his two games as boss. 

Ryan Grubb

Offensive Coordinator, Alabama

Grubb had been Kalen DeBoer’s right-hand man since their days in the NAIA and there’s no one he trusts more, especially after the job they did with Michael Penix Jr.. Stops at FCS power South Dakota State, (then) NAIA power Sioux Falls, Eastern Michigan and Fresno have all seen offensive increases and a dynamic output with Grubb in charge.

In two years with the Huskies they were elite. The 2023 season saw them finish 14-1 and with Penix as a Heisman Trophy contender. Last year he was just average with the Seattle Seahawks. This year No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) are primed for a College Football Playoff berth and Ty Simpson has had a stellar season under him.