Report: Cal to hire Sonny Dykes as head coach

Ruthless Sports Guy December 05, 2012

Cal has chosen its next head football coach: Sonny Dykes of Louisiana Tech.

Spartan Sports Guy can breathe easy, because San Jose State savior Mike MacIntyre hasn’t left his alma mater (not yet, anyway). The same goes for 49ers fans who still hold out hope that Greg Roman will return for a third season, and Boise State backers who feared Chris Peterson might leave the smurf turf for the Golden Bears (although the most relieved folks are probably those that feared Hue Jackson would return to the bay to coach in Berkeley).

Dykes was on a short list of names that started swirling immediately after Cal fired Jeff Tedford. For a couple weeks all anyone had to go on was speculation as to who Cal was interviewing, then athletic director Sandy Barbour told the San Jose Mercury News on Wednesday that they were “getting close” to finding a coach.

Although Dykes may not bring the “big name potential” that some may have hoped the Bears would seek, he has experienced FBS success and is known as an innovator of sorts. He was 22-15 in his three seasons coaching the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, won the WAC and led the team to an appearance in the Poinsetta Bowl last year. Louisiana Tech leads the league in points per game (51.8, 0.7 ahead of No. 2 Oregon). Prior to taking the head job at Louisiana Tech, Dykes was the offensive coordinator at Arizona under Mike Stoops and the wide receivers coach at Texas Tech under Mike Leach.

The future for the Bears’ program is unclear, even with the next head coach presumably on his way. They have some major talent leaving for the NFL this offseason and a lot of cleaning up to do in the recruiting department. But if you’re a Cal fan, you should be excited about this hire according to the Chronicle’s Ron Kroichick:

About the Author

Ruthless Sports Guy (otherwise known as Kyle McLorg) has many hobbies: cheering on the 49ers at Candlestick, keeping his dog (half-wolf) out of trouble at the dog park or yelling at his TV during Sharks and Giants games. You can find more of RSG's writing at Ruthless Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Ruthless_Sports.

24 comments

Newest | Oldest

John Sports

I wonder who Sandy will hire for the 2015 Season?

Stan

Sandy didn't even meet with Mike. Have you read he was even interviewed? If not,a huge mistake. Or maybe Sandy didn't want to take from SJ State and ruin there success. Not what an AD should be thinking to succeed at their own U.

The Sports Leader

Add this poster to the list of those who can breathe easier. Speaking from a selfish viiew point, thank goodness Coach Mac is still at STATE. He is ours so don't take him. And beat Bowling Green on the 27th!

Slam

Chris Peterson woulda been a real boost to the program, but he obviously didn't pursue the job ... Cal is just too far down the food chain. A guy from the South coming to the Pac 12 ? I gotta say I don't like it. Where are his connections to the top California High Schools ? McIntyre woulda been a better fit. Cal is so f*&%ed up when it comes to Football. They won't go all-in ( i.e. letting knuckleheads in who dont even pretend to go to class ) but they pay lip service to being fully invested in winning National Championships. But they're not; they're too busy being Cal.

Otis Byrd III

Yeah, Chris Peterson would've been a great hire, but he didn't want to come to Cal, even though I heard he is a Bay Area guy and he coached at UC Davis. It's just, he's the man at Boise State, he has a good thing going there, and he has helped turned them into a college football power. It is hard to leave that I would assume. I agree McIntyre would've been a better fit, but he seems committed to San Jose State. Plus he's helping them become a good story.

SpartanSportsGuy

Slam, if it makes you feel any better I had the same sentiment when Mac came out here. "What does this guy from the East Coast know about recruiting California?" Not only has he brought in some of the best recruiting classes in years at SJSU, but he's also brought in guys from Texas and Arizona. Point is, if a guy can recruit, he can do it anywhere. I believe Sonny was doing a pretty good job out in Louisiana considering who he had to contend with. Whereas MacIntyre had never coached on the West Coast before, at least Dykes was the OC in Arizona and must have some contacts out here already.

Slam

Hey Sparty- I like what you're saying, and believe me, I hope you're right. I just wanted a big name guy and I'm disappointed Sandy couldn't deliver Go Bears !

Stan

In any other part of the country,Boss Hogg and the Bandit jokes would be posted. The Bay Area?..you know.

Paperback Writer

Hey, I hope he surprises most of you and 'rocks'! He has touched offensive genius, including Mike Leach, so he's got that going for him. Really, if he starts pulling guys out of Louisianna, that'll help! It is important who he has coaching up D and how the staff recruits. Sonny Days coming to Berkeley.

TT from TT

I happen to agree with you--Leach was certainly a genius at Texas Tech. At Washington State? Not so much...

Eric

Lukewarm because he's sort of an unknown, but his offensive acumen is pretty darn good.

The Sports Leader

Exactly Eric. Many bay area sports fans just do not know or appreciate his offense. He could become one helleva hire.

Otis Byrd III

I agree with Stan that this is lukewarm. It's not great, but it's not terrible. Yeah, it is good that Mike McIntyre didn't leave San Jose State to go to Cal, even though Cal could've used him. He has a good thing going at San Jose State right now, and it will be interesting to see how far he can take this team. If he helped take them to a 10-2 record this year and going to the Military Bowl, just think what he could do with them next year? But yes, I'm happy for San Jose State and San Jose State fans, that Mike McIntyre will be staying there, at least for the time being. As far as Cal goes, we'll see how Sonny Dykes does. I don't know anything about him, but he apparently want to go to Cal, so it will be interesting to see if he can recruit and rebuild this Cal football program.

Spartan Sports Guy

Obviously Cal, since they can't beat Oregon, hopes to join them offensively. The biggest question is who will his d coordinator be? La Tech didn't have a whole lot going on defensively. I think Zack Kline will thrive under Dykes either way. Very glad SJSU's coach was passed up (or possibly withdrew from consideration?) considering he seemed to be an exact fit for the criteria Sandy Barbour laid out when the search began.

The Sports Leader

This could turn out to be a pretty goood fit. Although I too like many others was expecting a "big name" to coach at Cal. Oh welll only time will tell.

Pat

Would have preferred MacIntyre, but considering Cal once had a Holmoe as a head coach and now have Dykes at least proves that they are tolerant of alternative lifestyles

Bay Area Cholo Guy

^ Sorry only meant to piggyback off the original poster. Highly insensitive joke. If there was an option to retract my comment above I would. As far as the hire, I am personally NOT enamored with it. It reminds me of the Rich Rodriguez hire in Arizona but with less clout.

Bay Area Cholo Guy

I bet you KNBR's Kate Scott is loving this hire!

Slam

Kate. to her credit, was joking about "Dykes in Berkeley" on the air this morning. Good for her.

Stan

There's a Bob Transgender just waiting...

Stan

Well,Holmoe is of Russian descent. He named his son Ura. The kid has real problems making friends... *bad Stan,I give me a liberal demerit.

Slam

.... and a JackOff .... I meant Hue Jackson. Sorry.

Otis Byrd III

haha. Hue Jackson seemed cool, even though yes, he was a little full of himself and liked himself a little too much.

Stan

Eh, A lukewarm hire. I KNOW this..if he hasn't got a star QB to commit to Cal by summer..he could be just another good old boy until Sandy hires another good old boy to replace Sonny.