Change For Change’s Sake Not In Sonny Dykes’ Plans For Cal Bears

Nov 9, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears coach Sonny Dykes react during the game against the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. USC defeated California 62-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cal Bears coach Sonny Dykes has heard the rumbling and he understands that his 1-11 debut season in Berkeley that included a record number of points allowed wasn’t “much of a honeymoon.”

But the coach told the San Jose Mercury News Monday that changes to the coaching staff simply to appease the critics won’t happen.

"“If you did things for appearances, all you would do is try to win today,” Dykes said. “Building a program is about doing things the right way over the long term. In coaching, it’s funny how you get dumb really fast, then how guts get smart again really fast.”"

Dykes stood by defensive coordinator Andy Buh for a second straight week. The Bears allowed a school record 45.9 points per game and lost the Big Game to Stanford on Saturday by a record 50 points, 63-13.

In fairness to Buh, the defense also played most of the season without five players who would have been starters.

Dykes knows it’s a long road back to respectability for the Golden Bears.

"“We’ve got to get a lot better,” Dykes said. “Physically, we’ve got to get bigger and stronger. That’s pretty obvious to anyone. Our football team will look a lot different next year than it does this year.”"

The Golden Bears finished 1-11 this season, 0-9 in Pac-12 play and winless against FBS opponents.

Freshman quarterback Jared Goff had an MRI on his right shoulder, but no decision has been made about how to treat the separation. Goff was hurt on a controversial play when he was hit by Stanford linebacker Shayne Skov, a hit that FOXSports.com’s Mike Pereira said should have been called for targeting.

Dykes wouldn’t take the bait, however.

"“I thought we’ve gotten called for roughing the quarterback for a lot less than that,” Dykes said. “It’s probably better if I don’t say anything.”"

Spring practice will likely be delayed until after spring break in order to allow some of the walking (and not-walking-yet) wounded time to recover.

Dykes said he’s unsure linebacker Nick Forbes will be able to return from a bulging disk and nerve pain, but he expects everyone else back by the fall.

It was a long season for the Cal faithful, but the positive to take away from it is simple this: There is literally nowhere to go but up from here.