Cal Football Facing Critical Hire

Now that Sonny Dykes has settled into his new role as head coach of the Cal football program, the next step for Dykes is to fill out his coaching staff. From initial reports about who is in and who is out, things are looking swell:

IN

Tony Franklin (Offensive Coordinator): This was a must get for Dykes. Putting aside who is the real brainchild of the offense, it was critical that this pair be kept together. For whatever reason, what these two develop in the film room works magnificently on the field and it would've been a shame to break them up. Continuity + familiarity = great formula for success.

Rob Likens (Wide Receivers): Don't know too much about him, but his unit was tremendous last year so it couldn't hurt to bring Likens along.

Mark Tommerdahl (Special Teams): When was the last time the Cal football program had had a truly special special teams? 2007? The Deltha O'Neal days? Tommerdahl is one of the best in the business and it is about time the Bears took this unit seriously.

STILL TO BE ANNOUNCED

Offensive line, running backs, defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs and defensive coordinator.

The big one there is obviously defensive coordinator.

Dykes is only in his second week as head coach so it is flat out unfair to call anything critical at this juncture but I'm going to do it anyway. This hire is going to be critical to the long-term success of the program. I think the majority of Cal people in and outside the program would agree that Dykes' eventual choice for defensive coordinator will make-or-break the Sonny Dykes' era at Cal.

Assuming that Dykes and Franklin continue to put up video game-like numbers on offense (and at this point there is no reason NOT to assume that given Dykes' past history), the layout towards a potential Rose Bowl bid is simple: show a semblance of defense and Cal will be in pretty good shape.

In that regard, this hire is truly significant and I really feel Dykes is going to nail this hire. Unfortunately, however, I think Cal fans are going to be initially disappointed when they find out who the new guy will be. Not that I have insider knowledge or anything (at this point what does insider knowledge even mean anymore?) but I'm pretty sure that Cal's new defensive coordinator will be someone from a lower-end conference (much like Dykes) or someone who comes with some type of flaw/baggage who will be initially looked upon as an underwhelming choice.

While nabbing Utah State's Dave Aranda would be a home run, Mike Elko or DeWayne Walker would also be solid hires

My reasoning for that is simple: the task of coaxing a quality BCS defensive coordinator to jump schools for the same position will be an impossible sell for Dykes. Given the high percentage of defensive coordinators of BCS programs who are looking to become head coaches (pretty much all of them), the likelihood of furthering that career advancement at a place like Cal is very slim.

Between facing the innovative schemes of Pac-12 offenses (pro set, air-raid, up-tempo, pistol, etc ...) and the realization that your defense is going to be on the field more than you would like due to Dykes' penchant to put up points by the bunches, defensive numbers at Cal under Dykes' will always be sweked.

Why would someone like Luke Fickell (Ohio State) for example ever want to take that risk?

Instead, Dykes almost assuredly has to - and probably is at this moment - looking at guys from the WAC, MAC and other conferences of that nature. Make no mistake about it, Dykes is going to have to take a chance with whoever it is he eventually brings in. Whether it's a guy like DeWayne Walker (poor on-field results lately) or a guy like Nick Toth (inexperienced) there will be some questions marks with the new hire.

Having said that, here is my uninformed and probably misguided list on who Dykes' should be looking at:

1. Dave Aranda (Utah State) - Dykes knows all about Aranda having faced him in the WAC. As a lot of posters on the message boards are writing, nabbing Aranda would be a home run hire. As I outlined above though, why would Aranda take the risk of coming to Cal? Why not wait for a bigger job to come along? I just don't see this happening but will be very, very happy if it did.
2. Mike Elko (Bowling Green) - I really like what Elko has done. Elko's defense was arguably the best in the country (outside of the usual suspects) this season and the great thing about Elko is that his units have consistently forced turnovers. He's still young and seems energetic, which would obviously translate well in recruiting, and he's an Ivy League guy!
3. DeWayne Walker (New Mexico State) - I say throw out everything he's done at New Mexico State. I mean seriously, I don't know if Nick Saban could win there. Having said that though, Walker's record as head coach at NMSU is horrific. But I think once he gets back to doing what he does best (recruiting Los Angeles and calling defensive plays) Walker would be a huge asset to the program. The best thing about Dykes' offense is that Walker doesn't even have to be the greatest coordinator in the world - he just needs to hold down the fort. And as we've seen time and time again, talent can and often does mask a coach's weaknesses and Walker has been known to recruit as well as anyone around.
4. Mark Banker (Oregon State) - Not going to happen but might as well make the phone call.
5. Nick Toth (Fresno State) - This guy is a real up-and-comer but he has only one year experience as a coordinator. Is that enough?
6. Kent Baer (San Jose State) - I assume he's going to go with McIntyre to Boulder but maybe Dykes can pry him loose? Unlike the other guys on this list, Baer has been around the block a time or three. As my editor Jimmy Durkin at the Tribune noted to me, Baer is very experienced and has faced virtually every offense out there. Hiring a guy like Baer will give Cal a lot of stability. Won't be the very best defense around but he'll produce a solid unit. 
7. Robb Smith (Rutgers) - Had his guys flying around the ball this year. Much like Toth, however, two things jump out about Smith: inexperienced (one year as coordinator) and competition (have you seen Big East offenses this year)? Still though, results are results and Smith produced big-time this season.
8. Brent Guy (Tulsa) - The oldest and experienced guy on this list next to Baer. Guy has been around the block as well having coached all over the place, including the Pac-10. His unit gave up only 24 points per game this past season but just as important his Tulsa unit ranked in the top 20 overall in rush defense. Much like Baer, Guy is more of a safe choice in that you kind of know what you are getting.

As I said above, I think Coach Dykes is going to nail this hire but it probably won't be a guy that many Cal fans have heard of (so patience folks!)

Is is August 31 yet?

GO BEARS!