Cal Taps Rising Star Jordan Somerville as New Offensive Coordinator: A Bold, Youthful Bet on Offensive Firepower
Cal has made its choice for offensive coordinator, and it’s a bold one. The Golden Bears are bringing in Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant Jordan Somerville to take the reins of the offense under new head coach Tosh Lupoi. Somerville, who turns 30 in January, steps into the role previously held by Bryan Harsin-whose future with the program remains uncertain-and instantly becomes one of the youngest offensive coordinators in college football.
But don’t let the age fool you. Somerville’s resume is already packed with experience across both the college and NFL levels, and he’s been on a fast track since he first started coaching high school football in 2016 while still a student at Arizona State.
He quickly moved into a student assistant role with the Sun Devils, then climbed to graduate assistant before jumping to a position coach role at New Mexico. From there, he took on an offensive analyst position at Oregon and most recently served as a quarterbacks coach and pass game specialist in Tampa Bay.
That’s a lot of mileage in less than a decade, and it’s not just about the stops-it's about the results.
A Track Record of Quarterback Development
When Somerville was at Oregon in 2022, he worked closely with the quarterback unit-and the results were hard to ignore. The Ducks finished sixth among Power 5 programs in scrimmage yards per game (500.5) and 10th in points per game (38.8).
Bo Nix, who Somerville worked directly with, had a career year: fourth in passer rating among Power 5 QBs (165.7), top 10 in passing yards (3,593), yards per attempt (8.78), and touchdowns (29). That kind of efficiency and explosive playmaking doesn’t happen by accident.
Somerville clearly knows how to connect with quarterbacks and maximize their skill sets.
That trend continued in the NFL. In Tampa Bay, he worked with Baker Mayfield-who's now a Heisman winner and multiple-time Pro Bowler-and helped guide one of the league’s most effective passing attacks over the past three seasons. The Bucs ranked ninth in EPA per pass in 2023, surged to fourth in 2024, and only dipped this season as the offense adjusted to its third coordinator in as many years.
In short, Somerville’s fingerprints are all over high-level quarterback development. For Cal signal-caller Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, this hire could be a game-changer. With Somerville in his corner, the young QB has a coach who’s helped mold elite talent at both the college and pro levels.
Recruiting Roots and Regional Ties
Somerville also brings recruiting chops that fit well with Cal’s long-term vision. He has deep ties to Arizona, where he helped land blue-chip prospects like Cole Martin (now starting at UCLA) and A’Mauri Washington during his time at Oregon. At New Mexico, he served as both the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, giving him firsthand experience in leading talent acquisition efforts-something Lupoi emphasized as a priority during his introductory press conference.
That Arizona pipeline could prove valuable for Cal, especially as the program looks to expand its reach in the Pac-12 and beyond. Somerville’s ability to connect with young players and sell a vision-backed by real development success-makes him a potent recruiter in an increasingly competitive landscape.
A Calculated Risk with a Strong Support System
Now, let’s be clear: this is Somerville’s first shot at calling plays. That’s a big leap, especially in a Power 5 setting.
But there’s a structure in place to help him succeed. Nick Rolovich, who brings years of playcalling experience, is on staff and offers a steadying presence.
Together, they form a braintrust that blends youthful innovation with veteran savvy.
Still, anytime a defensive-minded head coach like Lupoi makes a major offensive hire, it’s a defining moment. We’ve seen it before at Cal under Justin Wilcox-if the offensive coordinator doesn’t click, the whole program can feel it. Lupoi is betting on upside here, trusting that Somerville’s rapid rise and quarterback pedigree will translate into results on the field.
Final Thoughts
Jordan Somerville is not a safe hire. He’s a swing for the fences-a young coach with limited playcalling experience but sky-high potential.
His track record with quarterbacks, his recruiting reach, and his NFL pedigree make him a fascinating addition to Lupoi’s staff. If it clicks, Cal could have one of the more innovative and dynamic offenses in the conference.
It’s a risk, no doubt. But in today’s game, sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come when you trust young talent to rise to the occasion.
Cal just handed Jordan Somerville the keys. Now we see where he drives this offense next.