BERKELEY, Calif. — California is closing in on one of the most significant coaching hires in its recent history. Multiple reports indicate that Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is in advanced negotiations to become the next head coach at Cal, setting up a high-profile return to the program he once played for and coached.
The move follows Cal’s decision to part ways with Justin Wilcox after nine seasons. With the program seeking new direction, renewed recruiting momentum, and a deeper connection to its roots, Lupoi has emerged as the university’s top target.
Lupoi’s ties to Berkeley run more than two decades. He played defensive line for Cal from 2000 to 2005, then joined the coaching staff as defensive line coach from 2008 to 2011. His player development and recruiting success made him one of the program’s rising figures. After Cal, Lupoi built a wide coaching résumé. He worked at Washington and Alabama before moving to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2022 he returned to college football as Oregon’s defensive coordinator, where he helped build one of the Pac-12’s most aggressive defensive units.
If hired, this would be Lupoi’s first head coaching position. Cal views the move as a chance to bring in a leader with national experience, deep knowledge of West Coast recruiting, and a long-standing relationship with the university. His understanding of Cal’s academic expectations and Bay Area recruiting landscape has made him one of the strongest candidates in the search. Reports from national outlets describe the deal as progressing and “likely” but not finalized. Cal has identified Lupoi as its preferred hire, though no official announcement has been released. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning publicly endorsed Lupoi’s candidacy, acknowledging his value and leadership. The support further solidified expectations that Lupoi is the frontrunner to take over in Berkeley.
Cal is pushing for a reset after years of inconsistency. Lupoi offers the program a chance to reconnect with its past while introducing a modern, high-intensity defensive identity. His return would bring new energy to Memorial Stadium and offer the Golden Bears a coach familiar with the school, the region, and the challenges of rebuilding in a competitive conference. Cal’s next move is expected soon. If negotiations finalize, Tosh Lupoi will return to the place where his coaching journey began, this time to lead the program into a new era.
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