Cal football coach Justin Wilcox is seeking student-athletes that possess the "figure-it-out" factor.
BERKELEY – Not only does Cal football coach
Justin Wilcox want his student-athletes to excel in the classroom, he expects them to do certain things while in the classroom itself.
"He wants us to sit next to someone not on the football team, and somebody different every day," said incoming recruit
McCallan Castles, who signed a National Letter of Intent in December during the newly established early signing period. "You never know who you will meet."
Wilcox's holistic approach to Cal football has many layers – well beyond the high standard he has set for success on the football field and on report cards. Wilcox embraces the diversity of challenges UC Berkeley presents and is looking for adaptable student-athletes that can face those tests head on.
Wilcox is in the process of completing his first full recruiting cycle as the Golden Bears' head coach. The Bears signed 18 student-athletes during the early signing period and will have a chance to bring in more new Golden Bears when the regular signing period commences in February.
The newest Golden Bears give Wilcox the opportunity to further build the program in his vision.
"They have to have a 'figure-it-out' factor to be successful here," Wilcox said. "We are here to support them and help them, and we will hold them accountable, but there is a 'figure-it-out' factor to going to school here and existing here. That's a good thing because you have to do that on the football field."
The academic challenges that are presented at the No. 1 public university in the world are obvious. The task of navigating through the rugged Pac-12 Conference is also clear.
But what about living, studying and competing on a campus unlike any other? The culture, diversity, activism and eclecticism at Cal make every day a unique one.
"Existing here is an education, let alone the experience in the classroom," said Wilcox, who spent three years as Cal's linebackers coach from 2003-05. "Existing with people that aren't exactly like you – that's a really important life skill because it's not always exactly how you want it to be. It's the education you get in the classroom, and it's also just walking across campus."
Wilcox sees the symmetry between being a Cal student and being a Cal football player. Attending UC Berkeley isn't always easy – and neither is falling behind by a couple of touchdowns or allowing a pivotal third-down conversion.
"If you have to have everything perfect all the time, good luck in life," Wilcox said. "Life skills drive your football skills. If you're a competitor, if you're tough, if you understand what you're trying to get done, if you have that grit – that shows up. You can't fake it, especially when it gets hard."
Wilcox's vision for Cal football was an easy sell for Director of Athletics Mike Williams, who shares his head coach's enthusiasm for the Cal experience – as a
student. What Williams wants the Cal community to see from the football program is similar to the head coach.
"Justin came in with a vision," Williams said. "He has the skills, the approach and the process to translate his vision into what we would see on the field. When we see the players off the field, we just want to see another Cal student – someone who is engaged, curious, articulate and wants to be part of the broader experience that Berkeley offers."
After 16 seasons as an assistant coach, Wilcox found himself for the first time as the closer in recruiting after being named Cal's head coach last January. But that hasn't really changed his recruiting style – which, simply put, is just being
Justin Wilcox.
"There's not some punch line you're going to give a guy with any depth that's going to seal the deal," Wilcox said. "I think it's just them being educated on what Cal is on and off the field, and how it can impact them. If I come in with some punch line at the last hour and that does it, then I'm not sure that's the right guy."
With a top-40 class after the early signing period and the opportunity for more student-athletes to join the program next month, Wilcox is certainly making an impact on the recruiting trail. He is doing so by sticking to his vision for Cal football, and seeking those student-athletes that fit into it.
"He was a big reason I chose Cal," incoming recruit
Nick Alftin said. "When he came for my home visit, he really made it clear that he cared not only for me, but my family. He made it clear that we are students first, and then athletes. And there is a path available through football to get that education."