Cal football is making moves on the defensive side of the ball, officially announcing the addition of Da’Von Brown as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. It’s a hire that fits the blueprint we’ve seen under Tosh Lupoi - young, energetic assistants with a trajectory that’s clearly pointing up.
Brown comes over from Western Kentucky, where he served in the same dual role in 2025 after a quick rise through the ranks. He started at WKU as the defensive backs coach in 2023 and earned a co-coordinator title just two seasons later - a testament to how quickly he made an impact in that program.
Before that, Brown cut his teeth in the SEC, first as a graduate assistant and then a defensive analyst at Ole Miss. His connection to Lane Kiffin runs deep, dating back to their time at Florida Atlantic, where Brown was on staff as a defensive backs coach. That experience under an offensive-minded head coach like Kiffin likely gave Brown valuable insight into how to counter today’s spread-heavy attacks - something he’s clearly applied in his recent stops.
Now, let’s talk about production. While Western Kentucky’s overall defensive rankings in 2025 - 92nd in FEI and 82nd in SP+ - may not jump off the page, context matters.
Those advanced metrics often undervalue Group of Five programs. When you dig into the raw numbers, Brown’s impact becomes a lot more clear.
WKU finished 8th nationally in completion percentage allowed (55.2%) and 16th in opponent passer rating (112.0). That’s elite-level pass defense, especially in a conference like C-USA, where offensive fireworks are the norm.
And this isn’t just about numbers. Brown has already shown a knack for developing talent.
He coached Kendrick Simpkins, who led the nation in sacks by a defensive back in 2023, and Anthony Johnson Jr., who topped Conference USA in interceptions that same season. Then there’s Upton Stout - a third-round pick by the 49ers this year - who also came up under Brown’s guidance.
That’s three impact players in two seasons, all from the secondary. That’s not just good coaching - that’s a pattern.
At Cal, Brown will pair up with newly hired defensive coordinator Michael Hutchings. While the two didn’t overlap at Western Kentucky, they bring complementary skill sets and similar coaching philosophies. The setup mirrors what Lupoi had at Oregon: Hutchings takes on the lead DC role, while Brown steps into a co-coordinator spot - similar to the Chris Hampton role in that Ducks system.
This kind of staff structure allows for collaboration and specialization - Hutchings overseeing the big-picture scheme, and Brown dialing in on the secondary and passing game defense. Given the offenses Cal faces in the Pac-12 (or whatever version of it we’re calling it now), that tandem could prove critical.
In short, Cal’s defense is getting younger, faster, and more aggressive - and Da’Von Brown fits that mold perfectly. His track record with defensive backs, his rapid rise through the coaching ranks, and his ability to get results from under-the-radar talent all point to a coach who’s ready for the Power Five spotlight. Bear Territory just got a little tougher in the back end.