Following a late-season dismissal, Jim Mora has surfaced as a prominent candidate for the head coaching position at California. The university is in the midst of a national search for a new leader after parting ways with Justin Wilcox on Sunday, a decision influenced by a 31-10 defeat against Stanford that concluded their season at 6-5.
During his nine-year tenure at Cal, Wilcox compiled a record of 48-55, failing to achieve the sustained success that the program aimed for under the guidance of new football general manager Ron Rivera. The loss to their arch-rival Stanford ultimately solidified the decision to make a change, and Rivera has publicly framed this move as a necessary reset.
California is facing a substantial buyout obligation related to Wilcox”s contract, with reports indicating that the figure exceeds $10 million. However, this transition has ignited interest in potential candidates, with Mora being highlighted by On3 reporter Pete Nakos as a serious contender.
Mora previously served as the head coach at UCLA from 2012 to 2017, where he notably led the team to a Pac-12 South title in 2012. His coaching experience also includes positions in the NFL with teams such as the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and Seattle Seahawks.
Since taking the helm at UConn in 2022, Mora has achieved remarkable success, guiding the Huskies to back-to-back nine-win seasons, a first in the program”s history. His contract with UConn, extended in December 2024, is valued at $10.01 million over four years, which includes performance-based incentives.
Although the buyout from Cal for Mora could be significant, he is seen as a fitting candidate. His familiarity with the Pac-12 landscape, coupled with his understanding of West Coast recruiting, makes him an attractive option for a program looking to regain its standing in the ACC. As December”s signing and transfer deadlines approach, the coming weeks are expected to be busy as many programs finalize their coaching searches.
