REPORT: Jimmy Lake, Andy Avalos out as Cal defensive coordinator candidates

Three of Cal’s top defensive coordinator targets appear to be out of the running to be the new minister of defense at Cal.

First, it appears that Alabama linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi will not be returning to the Bears as a defensive coordinator.

Washington defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake was considered one of the prime candidates to be the potential Cal defensive coordinator. But it appears that won’t be the case.

Another potential candidate was Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos (who also had connections with Wilcox from his Bronco days), but he ruled it out.

If these reports are true, that leaves the Cal defense in a bit of limbo, which could hurt the Bears in terms of late-game recruiting on the defensive side of the football. But the good news is Cal does have a defensive coordinator on staff already in Justin Wilcox, so if Wilcox is on the trail he can sell himself and the defense quite well on his own until a defensive staff is assembled.

Cal fans, your thoughts?