Cal football’s new era under head coach Tosh Lupoi is starting to take shape - and it’s clear he’s betting big on youth, energy, and upside.
On Thursday, Cal officially announced the hiring of 30-year-old Michael Hutchings as defensive coordinator, rounding out Lupoi’s top staff hires. Hutchings will be joined by Da’Von Brown, who takes on the role of co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Together, they form a young but intriguing tandem tasked with reshaping the Bears’ defense.
Hutchings: From the NFL to Berkeley
Hutchings arrives in Berkeley fresh off a productive stint with the Minnesota Vikings, where he quickly climbed the coaching ladder. After joining the staff in 2023 as an assistant defensive backs coach, he was promoted to safeties coach in 2024.
That same year, the Vikings’ secondary didn’t just improve - it thrived. Minnesota led the NFL in both interceptions and passes defended, helping the team to a 14-3 record.
Hutchings played a key role in developing that unit, earning respect from players and coaches alike.
One of those players, former Cal standout Camryn Bynum, made his feelings known on social media, calling Hutchings a “great hire” and a “dawg” - high praise from someone who’s seen his coaching impact up close.
A Bay Area Homecoming
For Hutchings, this move is more than just a job - it’s a return home. He’s a Bay Area native and a product of De La Salle High School, the same powerhouse program that produced Lupoi.
While the two didn’t overlap as players or coaches, there’s a shared lineage and mutual respect that clearly played a role in this hire. Lupoi, now 44, is showing a strong belief in Hutchings’ potential, handing him the keys to a defense in transition.
Before making his way to the NFL, Hutchings built a solid foundation in the college ranks. A former five-star linebacker at USC, he transitioned into coaching shortly after graduating in 2017.
He started as a graduate assistant with the Trojans, eventually becoming a defensive quality control analyst in 2020. In 2021, he joined Oregon as a defensive analyst, then landed his first full-time coaching job the following year as linebackers coach at Western Kentucky.
That path eventually led him to the Vikings - and now back to college football with a major opportunity at Cal.
Da’Von Brown Brings Collegiate Experience
While Hutchings brings NFL seasoning, Da’Von Brown offers deep roots in the college game. Brown spent the 2025 season as co-defensive coordinator at Western Kentucky, where he also coached the defensive backs for two seasons prior. His experience working with college athletes will be a valuable complement to Hutchings’ NFL background, especially as they look to build a cohesive and aggressive defense in Berkeley.
What’s Next for Cal’s Defensive Staff?
There are still some moving parts to watch on Cal’s defensive staff. It’s unclear what the additions of Hutchings and Brown mean for current defensive coordinators Terrence Brown and Vic So’oto. So far, the only confirmed holdover from Justin Wilcox’s staff is Nick Rolovich, who remains on board as quarterbacks coach after serving as interim head coach.
Lupoi’s Youth Movement in Full Swing
Lupoi’s approach to building his 2026 staff is clear: he’s prioritizing upside and fresh perspective over traditional experience. Both Hutchings and new offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville - another young, first-time playcaller - fit that mold.
It’s a bold move, especially in a conference where veteran coordinators often dominate the sidelines. But Lupoi seems committed to charting a new course, one that leans into energy, innovation, and a shared hunger to prove something.
This isn’t just a staff refresh - it’s a philosophical shift. With Hutchings and Somerville leading the way, Cal is turning the page to a new chapter, one where youth isn’t a risk - it’s the plan.