:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66164336/usa_today_11175646.5.jpg)
Cal head coach Justin Wilcox is still hiring to complete his coaching staff. Gerald Alexander, the defensive-back coach behind the California Golden Bears’ vaunted “Takers” defense, is leaving for the Miami Dolphins, according to Twitter reports Friday. The up-and-coming coach will join the NFL team to lead its defensive-backs unit.
Fans frequently credit Alexander for the recent turnaround of the Golden Bears’ defense. California’s defensive backs combined for career-totals of 32 interceptions and 84 pass breakups on 116 passes defended in 2019. In the most recent post-season, Jaylinn Hawkins received a Senior Bowl invitation, and Ashtyn Davis earned the nod from the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl as an NFL draft-eligible player.
George Wrighster III of the “Unafraid Show” first reported news of the departure Friday afternoon.
#Cal Defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander is the new Defensive backs coach for the Miami Dolphins.
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) January 24, 2020
He’s instrumental in making the Cal secondary one of the best in college football. Excellent hire. Young, up and coming coach regarded as a “great defensive mind”.
In a note posted on Twitter Friday, Gerald Alexander thanked Justin Wilcox, noting the California head coach “took a chance” on the then second-year Football Championship Subdivision coach. Alexander was the secondary coach of the Indiana State Sycamores from 2015 to 2017 and a graduate assistant for the Washington Huskies’ Cactus Bowl team in 2014.
— Gerald Alexander (@GAlexander21) January 24, 2020
California Head Coach Justin Wilcox has been on a hiring spree. In the last two weeks alone, the California Golden Bears announced new running-back and offensive-line coaches.