Hold onto your hats, college football fans, because a major coaching shake-up is brewing! Cal is on the verge of bringing back a familiar face to lead their program, and it’s none other than Oregon’s defensive mastermind, Tosh Lupoi. But here’s where it gets controversial—is Lupoi the right man to turn Cal’s fortunes around, or is this a risky move that could backfire? Let’s dive in.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Cal is in the final stages of hiring Lupoi as their next head coach, replacing Justin Wilcox. This move isn’t just about Lupoi’s impressive resume; it’s also a homecoming story. A former Golden Bears defensive lineman, Lupoi kicked off his coaching career at Cal as the defensive line coach from 2008 to 2011. His deep roots in Berkeley make him a sentimental favorite, but does sentimentality translate to success on the field? That’s the million-dollar question.
Lupoi’s name shot to the top of Cal’s shortlist immediately after general manager Ron Rivera announced Wilcox’s departure. And it’s not just the administration that’s excited—former Cal star DeSean Jackson took to social media to endorse Lupoi, tweeting, ‘This the Man For the Job @CalFootball. We all behind you & Supporting it!! @CoachLup leggggggo.’ But is Jackson’s endorsement enough to silence the skeptics? After all, coaching is a results-driven business.
And this is the part most people miss: Lupoi’s track record is undeniably impressive. During the 2025 regular season, Oregon’s defense ranked third nationally in total defense, allowing just 251.6 yards per game. They also held opponents to a mere 14.8 points per game, good for eighth in the FBS. These numbers are hard to ignore, but can Lupoi replicate that success at Cal, a program that’s struggled to find consistency in recent years?
Lupoi’s journey to this point is a testament to his versatility and adaptability. After his initial stint at Cal, he spent two years at Washington before joining Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama. There, he climbed the ranks from defensive analyst to co-defensive coordinator, eventually becoming Saban’s defensive coordinator in 2018. A three-year NFL detour as a defensive line coach for the Browns, Falcons, and Jaguars further honed his skills before he reunited with Dan Lanning at Oregon in 2022. Together, they built one of college football’s most formidable defenses. But can Lupoi step out of Lanning’s shadow and lead a program on his own?
Meanwhile, Oregon is already scrambling to fill vacancies, with offensive coordinator Will Stein set to become Kentucky’s head coach in 2026. The coaching carousel never stops spinning, but for Cal, the focus is squarely on Lupoi. Is this the bold move Cal needs, or are they setting themselves up for disappointment? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is far from over!
