Wisconsin defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox has been hired as head coach of California, the school announced Saturday.

The deal is for five years, a source told ESPN.

This will be the first head-coaching job for Wilcox, who was a Cal assistant from 2003 to 2005. He replaces Sonny Dykes, who was fired Sunday after a 19-30 record in four seasons with the Golden Bears.

Justin Wilcox's coaching résumé includes stints at Wisconsin, USC, Washington, Tennessee, Boise State and Cal. Mary Langenfeld/USA TODAY Sports

"I couldn't be more excited to become head football coach at the University of California," Wilcox said. "It has been a dream of mine to lead a college football program, and there's no better place than here at Cal where I got my start and at a school that means so much to me."

Athletic director Mike Williams cited Wilcox's previous coaching stint at Cal as a reason he was the right person for the job.

"As a former assistant coach for us, Justin understands what it takes to be successful at Cal -- in the classroom and on the field," Williams said. "He has deep West Coast roots, having grown up and spent the bulk of his career in the Pac-12 and the conference footprint. Justin just led the No. 7 defense in the country at Wisconsin, and his teams have consistently ranked among the best in the nation. I am confident we have found someone who is clearly the right fit for Cal."

Wilcox, 40, had been a defensive coordinator for the past 11 seasons at Wisconsin (2016), USC (2014-15), Washington (2012-13), Tennessee (2010-11) and Boise State (2006-09).

A 1999 graduate of Oregon, where he played safety and cornerback, Wilcox began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Boise State in 2001. After two seasons at Boise State, Wilcox spent the next three years as Cal's linebackers coach.