Cal turns to homegrown recruiter Tosh Lupoi to reset its football program

A fresh start in Berkeley

Lupoi arrives after four seasons as **Oregon’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and Cal officials pointed to his recruiting background and program-building experience as reasons for the move. He is the 35th head coach in program history.

The hire matters because Cal is trying to stabilize the roster, sharpen its identity, and compete for recruits in a crowded West Coast market. Lupoi has also emphasized a tough, disciplined approach and academic excellence as part of the message he wants to sell to prospects.

Staff building and recruiting focus

Cal has already started surrounding Lupoi with a new staff, including coordinators and position coaches aimed at strengthening both the offense and defense. A later staff update said Lupoi retained seven members of the previous staff and added six more assistants, including former Cal wide receiver Geoff McArthur.

That staffing push is central to the recruiting pitch. The Bears want coaches who can work the Bay Area and California high school pipeline while showing recruits a clearer development plan on and off the field.

What’s next for the Bears

Lupoi inherits a program that has struggled for consistency in recent seasons, and the pressure now shifts to roster retention, player development, and early results.^[5] Cal’s next steps will center on spring practice, evaluation, and proving the new staff can translate its pitch into wins and commitments.

Several details in the user’s prompt are not fully verified by the provided sources, including the 7-6 season, the specific NIL ranking, and the named recruiters Benji Palu, David Ortega Jr., Amanda Yount, and Marshall Cherrington.