Hold onto your helmets, college football fans, because a major coaching shake-up is brewing! Cal is on the verge of hiring Oregon's defensive mastermind, Tosh Lupoi, as their next head coach, and this move could send shockwaves through the Pac-12. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the deal is nearing completion, with Lupoi set to replace Justin Wilcox at the helm of the Golden Bears.
But here's where it gets intriguing: Lupoi isn't just any coach—he's a Cal alum who began his coaching journey in Berkeley as the defensive line coach from 2008 to 2011. His name skyrocketed to the top of Cal’s wishlist after general manager Ron Rivera announced Wilcox’s departure. And this is the part most people miss: Lupoi’s deep roots with the program, combined with his stellar track record, make him a uniquely compelling choice.
Adding fuel to the fire, 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.” Jackson’s public support underscores the excitement and optimism surrounding Lupoi’s potential return to his alma mater.
But is Lupoi the right fit for Cal? While his resume is undeniably impressive—including stints at Washington, Alabama, and the NFL—some might argue that his success as a defensive coordinator doesn’t automatically translate to head coaching prowess. After all, leading a team from the sidelines is a vastly different challenge than orchestrating a defense. What do you think? Is Lupoi the game-changer Cal needs, or is this a risky gamble?
Let’s dive deeper into Lupoi’s background. After his initial run at Cal, he spent two years as Washington’s defensive line coach before joining Nick Saban’s legendary staff at Alabama. There, he climbed the ranks from defensive analyst to co-defensive coordinator, eventually becoming Saban’s right-hand man. Following a three-year NFL stint with the Browns, Falcons, and Jaguars, Lupoi reunited with Dan Lanning at Oregon in 2022, where they built one of college football’s most dominant defenses.
Under Lupoi’s leadership, Oregon’s 2025 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 the question remains: Can Lupoi replicate this success as a head coach?
Meanwhile, Oregon is already scrambling to fill vacancies, including an offensive coordinator role after Will Stein’s departure to Kentucky in 2026. As the coaching carousel spins, all eyes are on Cal and Lupoi. Will this reunion reignite the Golden Bears’ glory days, or will it fall short of expectations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is Tosh Lupoi the hero Cal needs, or is this move too good to be true?
