Cal fires basketball coach Wyking Jones, could pursue Jason Kidd

Dan Bernstein

Cal fires basketball coach Wyking Jones, could pursue Jason Kidd image

Cal fired basketball coach Wyking Jones on Sunday, after the program's worst back-to-back seasons since the 1970s, as first reported by ESPN's Jeff Goodman. The Golden Bears went 16-47 under Jones and totalled just five conference wins in a weakened Pac-12.

The school's administration favored retaining Jones before discussions with student-athletes altered their thinking, Goodman reported. Jones' replacement will become Cal's fifth coach in 12 years, signalling a period of turbulence for an institution that benefits from its athletic reputation and proximity to San Francisco.

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Jason Kidd is reportedly a top target for Cal, considering his Hall of Fame pedigree and two years as a player with the Golden Bears. He could instead jump at a chance to coach the Los Angeles Lakers should that opportunity arise, however, making the program's candidate search murky for the time being.

Kidd last coached for the Milwaukee Bucks, overseeing that NBA for four seasons after leading the Brooklyn Nets for a year.

Dan Bernstein