Michael Hutchings is headed back to college football-this time with a whistle and a whiteboard in hand. The Minnesota Vikings safeties coach has accepted the defensive coordinator job at Cal, marking a major hire for head coach Tosh Lupoi and a bold step for Hutchings in his fast-rising coaching career.
At just 30 years old, Hutchings brings a blend of youth, NFL experience, and a deep football pedigree that fits Lupoi’s apparent blueprint for building his staff: young, energetic coaches with upside and pro-level experience. Hutchings checks every box.
A former four-star linebacker out of De La Salle High School in Concord-Lupoi’s own alma mater-Hutchings chose USC, where he captained the Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory in 2016. That leadership role was a sign of things to come.
He stayed in the game after graduation, quickly climbing the coaching ladder. First, he returned to USC as a graduate assistant working with linebackers, then transitioned into a defensive quality control role in 2020.
From there, he made stops at Oregon as a defensive analyst and at Western Kentucky as the outside linebackers coach in 2022.
But it’s his most recent work in Minnesota that really turned heads. Hutchings has spent the last three seasons under Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores-one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL.
Working with Flores, Hutchings coached a room that featured All-Pro veteran Harrison Smith and helped develop Cal alum Camryn Bynum into one of the league’s top starting safeties. That’s no small feat.
Coaching a future Hall of Famer and a rising star in the same unit requires both adaptability and vision-two traits that will serve Hutchings well as he takes over the reins of Cal’s defense.
And let’s be clear: Flores’ defensive scheme isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s aggressive, complex, and demands a high football IQ to both execute and teach. If Hutchings brings even a slice of that system to Berkeley, Cal fans could be in for a refreshing shift in defensive identity-one that emphasizes versatility, pressure, and smart, situational football.
This hire also signals a clear philosophical shift under Lupoi. Unlike his predecessor, Justin Wilcox-who often leaned on coordinators with prior playcalling experience-Lupoi is betting on upside and tactical sharpness over résumé length.
Hutchings, like new offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville, hasn’t called plays at this level before. But both bring energy, fresh ideas, and the kind of coaching chops that resonate with today’s players.
Importantly, Lupoi isn’t leaving these young coordinators on an island. Hutchings will have Lupoi’s defensive expertise to lean on, just as Somerville will work closely with quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich on the offensive side. It’s a collaborative model, and one that could pay dividends if the staff gels quickly.
The timing of this move is also strategic. With the transfer portal window opening from January 2 to 16, Cal needs recruiters who can connect with players and sell a vision.
Hutchings, with his NFL credentials and California roots, fits that mold. He’s walked the path as a top recruit, played at a powerhouse program, and now brings back a wealth of knowledge from the league.
That’s a compelling pitch to any defensive player looking for a fresh start and a shot at development under a coach who’s been where they want to go.
For Cal, this is more than just a coordinator hire-it’s a statement. The Bears are betting on potential, on forward-thinking football, and on a staff that can both teach the game at a high level and win the recruiting battles that shape rosters.
Hutchings is a big piece of that puzzle. Now, it’s time to see how his NFL experience translates to Saturdays in the Pac-12.