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Cal dismisses Jones, reportedly targeting Kidd for head coach

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Contrary to an earlier report, Cal has fired head coach Wyking Jones, the school announced Sunday.

Members of the team reportedly met with Cal athletic director Jim Knowlton, contributing to the reversal of the school's initial decision to hold on to Jones for a third season, according to The Oregonian's John Canzano.

Jones was promoted to head coach in March 2017 after two seasons as an assistant under Cuonzo Martin. He amassed a disastrous 16-47 record in two seasons as the Golden Bears' shot-caller; the team finished last in conference play in both campaigns.

The program is reportedly targeting Golden Bears alum Jason Kidd as his replacement, according to Canzano.

Retiring as a player after the 2012-13 NBA season, Kidd moved directly into a head coaching role, briefly with the Brooklyn Nets before joining the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014. He was dismissed midway through the 2017-18 season, boasting a 183-190 overall record after parts of five seasons. Kidd was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2018.

Kidd will also reportedly be among the favorites for the Los Angeles Lakers' head coaching position should the team move on from current coach Luke Walton after the 2018-19 season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

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