Tosh Lupoi has enterprise to are inclined to with Oregon sure for the Faculty Soccer Playoff, however he can have a brand new job as soon as the No. 4 ranked Geese’ run involves an finish.
Cal introduced Thursday night that Lupoi, the Geese’ defensive coordinator and a former Bears participant, would be the Bears’ head coach for the 2026 season. He and soccer common supervisor Ron Rivera will maintain a press convention Friday afternoon.
Lupoi’s contract is for 5 years, in response to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Monetary phrases weren’t disclosed.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to come home,” Lupoi mentioned. “Cal is a special place that shaped me, and it’s an incredible honor to return to Berkeley and lead this football program. I’m energized by the challenge ahead and excited to unite our players, alumni, and supporters. We will build a tough, disciplined, and relentlessly competitive team that represents Cal with pride, while always committing to academic excellence.”
The Bears will face Hawaii within the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24, however Lupoi gained’t be on the sidelines. His Geese (11-1) had been fifth in the latest Faculty Soccer Playoff Rankings and can be lots busy. Oregon coach Dan Lanning mentioned earlier this week that Lupoi and offensive coordinator Will Stein, who was employed as the top coach at Kentucky on Monday, will stay with the Geese all through their Faculty Soccer Playoff run.
Lupoi, 44, was named a finalist earlier this week for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s prime assistant, for a second straight yr. The Geese protection ranks third nationally in whole protection and eighth in scoring protection.
“His strong character, tireless work ethic, coaching acumen and recruiting talents all make him the perfect fit to lead us into the next great chapter of Cal football,” Rivera mentioned within the launch.
Lupoi was a defensive lineman at Cal from 2000 via 2005. After two seasons as a grad assistant, Lupoi joined Jeff Tedford’s employees in 2008 because the line of defense coach on the age of simply 26, making him the youngest full-time coach in Cal historical past, in response to the college. Lupoi helped recruit defensive linemen Cameron Jordan and Tyson Alualu, who turned first-round NFL draft picks.
He coached at Cal via 2011 after which moved on to Washington, the place he was on the employees alongside former Cal coach Justin Wilcox, who was fired final month after dropping the Large Sport to Stanford.
The previous De La Salle star moved to Alabama, the place he crossed paths with Lanning and finally rose to turn into the defensive coordinator in 2018 underneath legendary head coach Nick Saban.
Lupoi was a line of defense coach for 3 groups in three years within the NFL earlier than returning to the faculty ranks to be Oregon’s defensive coordinator when the Geese employed Lanning after the 2021 season.
UC Berkeley chancellor Wealthy Lyons, who has taken a bigger function in shaping the athletics division than prior administrations, lauded Lupoi’s deal with participant expertise.
“I’m convinced he has the skillset, experience and personal qualities needed to build a best-in-class football program at UC Berkeley — one that operates in a manner consistent with our university’s values and unwavering commitment to excellence,” Lyons mentioned within the launch.
Wilcox’s nine-year run in command of the Bears ended Nov. 23 after a sloppy 31-10 loss to Stanford, the Bears’ first loss within the rivalry in 5 years. Nick Rolovich took over as interim coach and led Cal to an upset win over SMU in its season finale. Even with Lupoi within the fold, Rolovich nearly actually will coach the Bears of their Christmas Eve bowl sport.
