BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 05: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the California Golden Bears stands on the sidelines during their game against the Grambling State Tigers at California Memorial Stadium on September 5, 2015 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Fired college football head coach could be returning to a division rival

An interview with Baylor, among interviewing for other positions reportedly was among the reasons Dykes was axed, per Fox.

Sonny Dykes was fired by Cal earlier in January, but he could find his way back to the Pac-12, according to Scout:

"Less than a week removed from the departure of his offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey to Auburn, Arizona State head coach Todd Graham has considered several diverging approaches in his search for a replacement. 

With less than a week remaining until National Signing Day, Graham has also given serious consideration to other candidates, including former Cal head coach Sonny Dykes per a source close to the deliberations. Dykes reportedly accepted an undefined position at TCU two weeks ago after being fired at Cal following the 2016 season. "

That deal with TCU may have apparently fallen through based on latest reports.

Cal owes Dykes a $5.88 million buyout.

For the next three years, Dykes is owed a base salary of $350,000, and a talent fee of $2,375,000 in 2017, $2,450,000 in 2018 and $2,525,000 in 2019. That's a total of $8.4 million, and Dykes is owed 70 percent of that total ($5.8 million) since he was fired without cause.

After building the Cal program back from a 1-11 record in his first year, Dykes put together a 5-7 campaign before reaching and winning Armed Forces Bowl in 2015 with an 8-5 record. He ended his Cal tenure with a 5-7 record in his last year.

He ended his tenure just 10-26 against the Pac-12, and 1-11 against California rivals.

Dykes was reportedly a candidate for the Baylor job in the offseason after sending top draft pick Jared Goff to the NFL and beating decent squads Texas and Utah this season.

That interview with Baylor, among interviewing for other positions reportedly was among the reasons Dykes was axed, per Fox.