The coaching carousel is spinning fast as we head into the heart of December, and while the headliner moves may be slowing down, there’s still plenty of action happening behind the scenes - especially when it comes to position coaches. One of the more notable developments? Cal is making a key addition to its offensive staff.
The Golden Bears are expected to bring in Keith Bhonapha as their next running backs coach, according to reports. Bhonapha, who most recently served as associate head coach, co-special teams coordinator, and running backs coach at Michigan State, will now be heading back to familiar territory on the West Coast - a region that’s defined much of his coaching career.
This move reunites Bhonapha with the Pac-12 footprint (or what’s left of it), and it’s a significant pickup for Cal as it continues to reshape its staff under the new regime. Bhonapha brings a veteran presence to the locker room, and his track record with running backs speaks for itself.
Let’s take a closer look at the résumé he brings to Berkeley:
- 2003-2005: Hawaii (Graduate Assistant) - Bhonapha got his start in the islands, laying the foundation for his coaching career.
- 2009-2013: Boise State (Running Backs Coach, then Recruiting Coordinator) - He helped develop a string of productive backs during Boise State’s rise to national prominence, while also earning a reputation as a strong recruiter.
- 2014-2021: Washington (Running Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Special Teams) - This was arguably his most high-profile stint, where he coached multiple NFL-caliber backs and played a key role in Washington’s recruiting efforts during some of the program’s most competitive years.
- 2022: Boise State (Associate Head Coach/Running Backs) - A return to Boise in a leadership role, where he again oversaw the backfield.
- 2023: Oregon State (Associate Head Coach/Running Backs) - Linked up with Jonathan Smith in Corvallis, helping guide a physical, run-heavy offense that became one of the Pac-12’s most consistent units.
- 2024: Michigan State (Associate Head Coach/Running Backs) - Followed Smith to East Lansing for a brief stint before this latest move back west.
For Cal, this isn’t just about adding another coach - it’s about bringing in someone with a clear identity and a proven ability to develop talent. Bhonapha’s coaching style emphasizes physicality, vision, and ball security - all traits that have defined his backs over the years. His presence could be a major boost for a Cal offense that’s still searching for consistency in the ground game.
And beyond the X’s and O’s, Bhonapha’s recruiting chops can’t be overlooked. He’s long been known as a strong presence on the trail, especially in the West, and that could pay dividends for a Cal program looking to make waves in the new Big Ten landscape.
Bottom line: This is a savvy hire for Cal. Bhonapha brings experience, familiarity with the region, and a clear track record of success. As Cal continues to build out its staff and identity, adding a coach like Bhonapha is a step in the right direction - both for the locker room and for the long-term development of the program’s offensive core.