Cal coaching changes coming? Sonny Dykes noncommittal on DC Art Kaufman

Art Kaufman got the Gatorade bath after the team’s most impressive performance of the season on the defensive side of the football. Will it be his final time on the sidelines as the Cal defensive coordinator?

Kaufman’s contract is up this year, and you’d have to guess renewal is not likely to happen. Cal head coach Sonny Dykes remained noncommittal about Kaufman’s future with the Bears in his postgame press conference.

“You sit down at the end of the year and evaluate everything in the program...we evaluate everybody in our program.”

None of the metrics are too favorable for a Kaufman return. Even with the UCLA performance, Cal’s defense still ranks in the bottom ten in FBS in most metrics, a sharp regression from an improved 2015 campaign and more along the lines of Kaufman’s first year at Cal

• Cal surrendered 42.6 points per game, next-to-last in the FBS.
• Cal gave up 6.16 yards per rush, tied for last in FBS. They also gave up 272.9 rushing yards a game, next-to-last in FBS.
• Cal surrendered 46 plays of 30 yards or more from scrimmage, second to last in FBS.
• Cal managed only 51 tackles for loss, placing them in a tie in the bottom eight.
• Cal gave up 47% of third down conversions, falling to 118th overall.
• Cal allowed 6.71 yards per play, ninth worse in FBS. Their 518 yards per game surrendered placed them in the bottom four.

Not too inspiring, especially with Cal defensive recruiting not especially picking up in critical areas.

Additionally, if Kaufman goes, don’t expect him to be the only Cal defensive assistant who isn’t retained.