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Report: Ex-Fresno State HC DeRuyter expected to be named Cal DC

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It appears new Cal head coach Justin Wilcox has found the man to run his defense, as a source told Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports that former Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter is expected to be named the Golden Bears defensive coordinator.

DeRuyter has extensive experience as a defensive coordinator throughout his coaching career, serving in the role during stops at Ohio, Navy, Nevada, Air Force, and Texas A&M before becoming head coach at Fresno State.

The 54-year-old has a history of turning around struggling defenses, as he's drastically improved each defense he's coached throughout his time at those programs. Perhaps his most impressive run was at Texas A&M from 2010-2011, where he turned the Aggies defense from 104th in the country to 21st.

That trend will certainly be tested with the Golden Bears, as the program's struggling defense ranked 2nd-worst in the country last season.

Between Wilcox's extensive background as a defensive coach, and DeRuyter's experience in turning around struggling units, expect a big improvement for the Golden Bears next season.

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