Cal football is reloading its coaching staff with a trio of familiar faces from one of college football’s most successful recent programs. Head coach Tosh Lupoi announced the additions of Connor Boyd, Darrion Daniels, and Steve Haunga to the Golden Bears’ staff on Saturday - and make no mistake, these hires bring serious pedigree and momentum with them from Oregon.
Let’s break it down.
Three Coaches, One Goal: Elevate Cal Football
All three new hires played a role in Oregon’s dominant 47-7 run since 2022 - a stretch that includes a Big Ten championship in 2024 and back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances. That kind of success doesn’t happen by accident. Now, they’re bringing that championship-caliber experience to Berkeley.
- Connor Boyd will coach the safeties.
- Darrion Daniels takes over the defensive line and pass rush.
- Steve Haunga will lead the tight ends and coordinate the run game.
Each coach has climbed the ranks through hard work, smart football minds, and a track record of developing talent. And each has a direct connection to Lupoi, having worked under him at Oregon.
Connor Boyd: A Rising Defensive Mind
Boyd’s path to Cal has been anything but linear, but it’s been filled with meaningful stops that have shaped him into a sharp, detail-oriented defensive coach. He’s been with Oregon since 2022, most recently serving as a defensive analyst under Lupoi. That means he already knows what Lupoi wants from his defense - and more importantly, how to teach it.
Before Oregon, Boyd logged time at Colorado, Tennessee, and Jacksonville State, working with linebackers and helping with scouting and film breakdowns. But his football roots go even deeper.
As a student assistant at Alabama, he was embedded in one of the most demanding and successful programs in the country. He worked directly with the offensive line, broke down film, helped with recruiting, and played a role in building back-to-back No. 1 recruiting classes.
That kind of experience - especially at Alabama - isn’t just résumé filler. It’s the foundation of a coach who understands how to prepare players at the highest level.
Darrion Daniels: From Trench Warrior to Trench Teacher
If you watched Big Ten football a few years ago, you probably remember Darrion Daniels clogging up the middle for Nebraska. A former team captain and All-Big Ten honorable mention, Daniels was a tone-setter on the defensive line. Now he’s bringing that same edge to Cal’s D-line room.
Daniels spent the last two seasons as a defensive analyst at Oregon, where he worked with one of the nation’s most consistent and physical front sevens. And he knows what it takes to compete in the trenches - he lived it.
As a player, Daniels was productive and disruptive. He racked up 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and even an interception his senior year at Nebraska. Before that, he was a key contributor at Oklahoma State, earning the program’s Most Outstanding Defensive Newcomer award as a freshman and the Vernon Grant Award for leadership as a junior.
He’s been a leader at every level, and now he’ll be tasked with developing Cal’s defensive front - both in stopping the run and generating pressure. With his blend of playing experience and coaching acumen, Daniels looks like a strong fit for a unit that needs to get nastier up front.
Steve Haunga: Tight Ends, Toughness, and the Run Game
Steve Haunga is making his return to Berkeley, but this time, he’s not just passing through. After four seasons at Oregon as an offensive analyst, Haunga takes over as Cal’s tight ends coach and run game coordinator - and he’s bringing some serious firepower with him.
At Oregon, Haunga worked with one of the most explosive offenses in college football. He helped develop Bo Nix into a Heisman contender, and most recently worked with Dillon Gabriel as the Ducks continued their high-flying ways.
The Ducks led the nation in passing in 2023, averaged 44.2 points per game, and never scored fewer than 30 in a game. That’s not just good - that’s elite.
Tight ends were a big part of that success. Kenyon Sadiq, the 2025 Big Ten Tight End of the Year, led the nation’s tight ends in touchdown catches. Terrance Ferguson, a three-time all-conference pick, finished his Oregon career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns by a tight end.
Haunga’s résumé is built on more than just Oregon’s success. He’s grinded his way through the coaching ranks - from strength and conditioning intern at Boise State and Cal, to offensive analyst roles at Tulsa, Auburn, and North Texas. At every stop, he’s earned more responsibility and made his units better.
As a player, Haunga was a team captain and two-year letterwinner on the offensive line at Arkansas State. He knows the physicality and discipline required to run the ball effectively - and now he’ll bring that mindset to Cal’s ground game.
What This Means for Cal
This isn’t just about filling vacancies. This is about building a staff that knows how to win - and has done it at the highest level.
All three coaches come from a program that’s been one of the gold standards in college football the past few years. They’ve coached in CFP games, developed NFL talent, and helped build top-tier units on both sides of the ball.
Now, they’re in Berkeley - and they’re here to help turn the Golden Bears into a contender.
Lupoi is surrounding himself with coaches who know his system, understand the demands of big-time college football, and can connect with players. It’s a smart move, and one that signals Cal’s intent to rise in the Pac-12 and beyond.
Don’t be surprised if this new-look staff starts turning heads sooner rather than later.