What Is 2013 California Golden Bears football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 1–11 record under head coach Sonny Dykes. It was the program's worst win-loss record since 1951, with their only victory coming against Washington State on October 12. The team played home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.

Key Facts

The 2013 California Golden Bears finished with a 1–11 overall record
Head coach Sonny Dykes was in his first season leading the program
The team's only win was a 21–13 victory over Washington State on October 12
California played home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley
The Bears went 0–9 in Pac-12 Conference play, their worst conference record

Overview

The 2013 California Golden Bears football season marked a challenging year for the University of California, Berkeley's NCAA Division I FBS team. Competing in the Pac-12 Conference's North Division, the Bears struggled under first-year head coach Sonny Dykes, finishing with a 1–11 overall record—their worst performance since 1951.

The team faced difficulties in both offense and defense, failing to adapt quickly to Dykes’ new air raid system. Despite high hopes for a turnaround, the Golden Bears managed just one win and endured a nine-game losing streak to close the season.

Record: The team finished 1–11 overall and 0–9 in Pac-12 play, marking the worst conference record in program history.
Head coach:Sonny Dykes was hired in December 2012 and began his tenure with a steep learning curve in his debut season.
Only win: California defeated Washington State 21–13 on October 12, 2013, at California Memorial Stadium.
Stadium: All home games were played at California Memorial Stadium, a 63,000-seat venue in Berkeley, California.
Scoring: The Bears averaged just 18.7 points per game while allowing 37.1 points per game, the worst defensive performance in the FBS.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2013 campaign was defined by offensive inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities, especially against conference opponents. Several games saw California fall behind early and struggle to respond, exposing gaps in depth and execution.

Season opener: Lost 31–24 to Nevada on August 31, 2013, in a game that set the tone for the year.
Quarterback play:Zach Maynard and David Sills rotated at QB, combining for 13 interceptions and only 10 touchdowns.
Defensive struggles: Allowed over 40 points in six games, including a 59–7 loss to Stanford in the Big Game.
Conference record: Went 0–9 in Pac-12, becoming the first Cal team to go winless in conference play since 1951.
Final game: Concluded the season with a 59–7 loss to Stanford on November 30, 2013, in the 116th Big Game.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2013 season compared to recent Cal football campaigns highlights a significant downturn in performance and morale.

Season	Overall Record	Pac-12 Record	Head Coach	Key Stat
2013	1–11	0–9	Sonny Dykes	Allowed 445.2 total yards per game
2012	3–9	2–7	Jeff Tedford	Scored 24.8 PPG
2011	7–6	4–5	Jeff Tedford	Won Poinsettia Bowl 27–10
2010	5–7	3–6	Jeff Tedford	Defeated UCLA 26–17
2009	8–5	5–4	Jeff Tedford	Won Holiday Bowl 24–19

The 2013 season represented a sharp decline from previous years, especially compared to the 7–6 record in 2011 and bowl victory in 2009. The transition to Sonny Dykes’ offensive system failed to produce immediate results, and player development lagged under the new regime. This table illustrates how far the program had fallen in just two seasons, setting the stage for future rebuilding efforts.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season is remembered as one of the lowest points in modern Cal football history, serving as a cautionary tale about coaching transitions and program instability. It underscored the challenges of implementing a new offensive scheme without adequate player development or depth.

Program impact: The 1–11 record led to increased scrutiny of athletic department leadership and coaching hires.
Recruiting: Poor performance in 2013 made it harder to attract top-tier recruits in subsequent seasons.
Coaching legacy: Sonny Dykes had to rebuild trust over the next few years, eventually improving to 5–7 by 2015.
Historical context: First Cal team since 1951 to lose all conference games, marking a historic low.
Financial impact: Lower attendance and merchandise sales followed due to lack of on-field success.
Rebuilding phase: The season prompted long-term roster and staff changes, shaping the program’s direction into the late 2010s.

While the 2013 season was dismal, it became a foundational year for future reforms. The struggles highlighted systemic issues and ultimately pushed the program toward greater investment in player development and coaching stability.