Justin Wilcox is starting out the hiring process with a bang. Aaron Fentress of Comcast Sportsnet Northwest has reported that recently departing Oregon offensive line coach Steve Greatwood will be Cal’s first hire.
Sources: Former Oregon offensive line coach Steve Greatwood to join new California coach Justin Wilcox's staff. pic.twitter.com/hP5WLL9OJJ
— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) January 15, 2017
Greatwood has served as an offensive line coach for over 25 years. He was a line coach with Oregon from 1982 to 1994, and resumed those responsibilities in 2005. He became run game coordinator starting in 2009 under Chip Kelly, and was part of four conference championships and two national title appearances for record-setting Oregon offenses. Greatwood was not retained by Oregon after Mark Helfrich was fired.
This is as good of a first hire as you can get from Justin Wilcox. Oregon’s offense was never the problem, and the Ducks run attack has been one of their biggest constants over the years. Greatwood has also sent seven offensive lineman to the NFL and was one of Oregon’s best recruiters, landing a four star offensive lineman or two almost every season.
As you’d expect, this probably means that offensive line coach Brandon Jones will not be retained. All indications are that Justin Wilcox will be doing the full overhaul.
#Cal official confirms none of full-time assistants will be retained: https://t.co/Er26XvVr9e
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) January 15, 2017