Tosh Lupoi Emerges as Top Candidate for Cal Head Coaching Job, Signaling Potential Homecoming
The California Golden Bears are zeroing in on a familiar face to lead their football program into its next chapter. Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi has emerged as the frontrunner for Cal’s head coaching vacancy, according to sources close to the negotiations. For Lupoi, this wouldn't just be a new job-it would be a return home.
A Bay Area native and former Cal standout, Lupoi played for the Golden Bears from 2000 to 2005 before joining the program’s coaching staff as a defensive line coach for three seasons. Now, nearly two decades later, the 44-year-old could be poised to take the reins of the program where his football journey began.
A Proven Track Record on the Sidelines
Lupoi’s coaching résumé is as stacked as they come. Since his early days at Cal, he’s made stops at Washington, Alabama, and most recently Oregon, where he’s served as defensive coordinator since 2022.
Under his leadership this season, Oregon’s defense has been one of the best in the country-ranked fifth nationally in yards per play allowed. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s the result of a scheme that’s both aggressive and disciplined, and Lupoi’s fingerprints are all over it.
Beyond the Xs and Os, Lupoi has built a reputation as one of the premier recruiters on the West Coast. His ability to connect with players and sell a vision has made him a go-to name in high-stakes recruiting battles. That skill set could be a game-changer for Cal, a program looking to reestablish itself in the crowded landscape of Power 4 football.
NFL Experience Adds to His Appeal
Lupoi’s coaching chops extend beyond the college ranks. He’s logged time in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, and Atlanta Falcons. That pro experience doesn’t just look good on a résumé-it brings a level of tactical understanding and player development that resonates with recruits looking to make the jump to the next level.
Cal’s Coaching Search Comes at a Critical Juncture
The Golden Bears parted ways with head coach Justin Wilcox just over a week ago, following a 31-10 loss to rival Stanford that dropped Cal to 6-5 on the season. With Nick Rolovich stepping in as interim head coach, the Bears responded with a statement win over SMU, knocking the Mustangs out of the ACC championship picture. That upset win injected some much-needed energy into the program, but the long-term direction still hinges on the next full-time hire.
Enter Ron Rivera. The Cal general manager has been tasked with identifying the right leader to stabilize and elevate the program, and Lupoi checks a lot of boxes: local ties, recruiting prowess, defensive pedigree, and a deep understanding of what it takes to win at the highest levels.
A Key Relationship That Could Shape the Future
One of the more intriguing layers to this potential hire is Lupoi’s existing relationship with freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. The former five-star recruit originally committed to Cal, flipped to Oregon-where Lupoi was on staff-and ultimately flipped back to the Bears. That back-and-forth speaks volumes about the trust and connection between player and coach.
Sagapolutele showed flashes of his high ceiling in his first year on campus, and retaining him could be pivotal to Cal’s offensive future. Bringing in Lupoi could help solidify that foundation and ensure the young quarterback continues to develop in a stable, supportive environment.
A Familiar Face, A Fresh Start
If the hire is finalized, Lupoi would become the third assistant from Dan Lanning’s Oregon staff to land a Power 4 head coaching job, joining Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham and Will Stein, who was just named Kentucky’s next head coach. That’s a testament to the caliber of coaching talent Oregon has cultivated-and to Lupoi’s readiness to take the next step.
For Cal, this move would represent more than just a coaching change. It would be a homecoming, a reunion with one of its own, and a chance to reset the trajectory of a proud program. Lupoi knows the culture, understands the expectations, and has the résumé to back it all up.
Now, it’s just a matter of closing the deal. If Cal can bring Tosh Lupoi back to Berkeley, it could mark the beginning of something special.