The California Golden Bears fired Justin Wilcox on Sunday, thrusting former Auburn Tigers head football coach Bryan Harsin back onto the market. Perhaps Harsin won't have to look for his next job, though.
Sports Illustrated's Bryan Fischer believes Cal's current offensive coordinator could be a candidate for the full-time job. Fischer also believes Harsin could be the key to the Golden Bears keeping quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
"There are likely to be two internal options for the Bears if they want to go in that direction, starting with Harsin. He led Boise State to a Fiesta Bowl and flamed out at Auburn but is well respected inside the building for what he’s been able to do this season despite seeing most returnees in 2025 leave for the portal. If Cal wants any hope of keeping QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele in the fold for next season, it could involve bumping Harsin to the big chair," Fischer wrote.
Per CBS Sports' Chris Hummer, "Cal currently has a pair of interim athletic directors. It's expected that general manager Ron Rivera will have a large say in the upcoming coaching search to replace Wilcox. "
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele could be a transfer portal flight risk
Evidently, there is changes sweeping across Berkeley. Does the team want to reshuffle the deck completely? The Golden Bears have had a strong season offensively from an efficiency standpoint. Cal's offensive line is holding the team back.
Sagapolutele will never reach his ceiling until the Golden Bears' offensive line improves. If that's where he even chooses to stay following the 2025 season. With Jayden Maiava likely heading to the NFL, the USC Trojans offer an intriguing transfer destination if they have long-term questions about Husan Longstreet under center.
Either way, if you find yourself pinning any hopes regarding the future of your program on Harsin, your football team is in a bad way.
The Calgorithm looked like it had higher hopes than this once upon a time.