Sonny Dykes in contact with South Carolina and Virginia; Jeff Tedford mentioned as Cal target

Is there any job Sonny Dykes is not interviewing for?

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 3, 2015

SILLY SEASON IS GETTING SILLIEST

With Missouri in a holding pattern, there are two more openings that Cal head coach Sonny Dykes has now been linked to, both on the East Coast. The Virginia Cavaliers (who fired Mike London) and the South Carolina Gamecocks (who saw Steve Spurrier retire).

Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle has the story.

Cal head football coach Sonny Dykes has been in contact with University of South Carolina and University of Virginia about job opportunities at those schools, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The news comes two days after Dykes interviewed for the head coaching opening at the University of Missouri.

South Carolina is also looking at another rival head coach in the Pac-12 in Arizona's Rich Rodriguez, Bruce Feldman reports. Other names mentioned included Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, and former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano.

At Virginia, according to Football Scoop, our old nemesis Mack Brown is getting an interview. Air Force coach Troy Calhoun, and Schiano as well, with possibly a cameo appearance by Jeff Tedford.

For those who want a funny rumor that has no basis in reality, Tedford was mentioned as a potential candidate by Football Scoop to replace Sonny if he leaves.

If and when Dykes leaves Berkeley, his departure could create an interesting domino effect. We understand the administration at California would consider bringing Tedford back for a second tenure as the Golden Bears' head coach.

I'll save you the long story. It's not happening. Not a chance.

"I don’t buy that for a second," one donor told The Chronicle. "What he did academically, I couldn’t even fathom that. … There is zero chance that Tedford comes back."

Back to Sonny: This does feel pretty much like coaching free agency.

It sounds very much like Dykes is doing his best to get a better offer from Cal to try and force their hand. I would be surprised if he was the number one candidate at any of these schools though, potentially with the other names being bandied about. Definitely not at South Carolina--the competition is way too steep. Maybe at Virginia. Possibly Missouri, where he does have connections with the athletic director, but right now I don't think Cal is going to have to break bank for him.

Who is willing to make the best offer, and will Cal match?

I just hope Sonny Dykes free agency ends like DeAndre Jordan, with Jared Goff and Bryce Treggs barricading the door and tweeting bear emojis.

What are your thoughts on all of this?

UPDATE: Missouri will be announcing their guy tomorrow.

Source says University of Missouri curators will meet tomorrow afternoon regarding approval of a new Mizzou football coach.

— Joe Walljasper (@JoeWalljasper) December 3, 2015