This offseason, Dan Lanning lost both of his coordinators with OC Will Stein taking the Kentucky job while DC Tosh Lupoi left for his alma mater, Cal. Both coordinators brought a ton of excitement to their new jobs, but there was much higher standards for the Golden Bears. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele returned after a breakout freshman season, seemingly making the takeover easy.
Instead, the start to the season was less than stellar for Lupoi's new team as Cal started the season with a 2-2 record, while struggling to beat an awful Syracuse team. After the awful stretch, Tosh Lupoi sent a statement before the team's game against UNLV, which may have been an awful idea.
Cal HC Tosh Lupoi ended today’s presser with a blunt bang:
— Joaquin Ruiz (@WalkingRuiz) September 29, 2026
“Buckle your ass up for Saturday.”
Tosh Lupoi's loss to UNLV already has many ready to fire him
After telling everyone to buckle up for Saturday's game against UNLV, Cal came out flat, falling in a 24-7 hole in the first half. While the Golden Bears went on a great run in the second half, UNLV ended up waking up in the 4th quarter, sending Lupoi off to a 2-3 start to his tenure with another awful loss.
Before the game was even over, CBS Sports' Bud Elliott called for Cal to consider making the former Oregon defensive coordinator a one-and-done head coach.
Cal seriously needs to consider making Lupoi a one and done this is a disaster
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) October 3, 2026
Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice added on calling the Golden Bears a horrible watch every week.
they’re a horrible watch every week. Cruel and tragic shenanigans. https://t.co/GgLQEjUj90
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 3, 2026
Former NFL Scout and Oregon alum Brentley Weissman called Tosh Lupoi over his head while declaring that he brings nothing on gameday.
I didn’t have a ton of faith in Tosh being a good head coach. Brings nothing on gameday. Was never a scheme guy. Great recruiter but clearly in over his head https://t.co/JGGWZcYKtU
— Brentley Weissman (@Brentley12) October 3, 2026
Barstool Sports' Liam Blutman called the team so bac that you have to start wondering if they're better off making this regime a one-and-done.
Cal is so so bad. It’s so bad to the point you start wondering about starting all over with a whole new staff in 2027. This is unbelievable
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) October 3, 2026
One of the biggest issues for Cal on a weekly basis is that this hasn't looked like a well coached team, and their lack of discipline continues to be a massive issue.
15 for 137 yards. Cal penalties have costed them this game.
— Daniel Poulter (@DanielJPoulter) October 3, 2026
I thought when Tosh Lupoi was hired. The one thing you would think is they would be disciplined.
All the hope and hype for this Cal team is seemingly out the window, with the lone hope for this team being winning the ACC, where they hold a 1-1 record. Given the way that the Golden Bears have played through 5 games, and the injuries to players like Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, it seems like it's only a matter of time before they lose another game.
Even if it's a rough season for Cal, and things continue to get worse, it's almost impossible to see the team firing an alum head coach after one season. Tosh Lupoi is best known for being a great recruiter, and the team will seemingly start to look better as he brings in players that fit his mold. The issue for Lupoi will be that he can't miss on his transfer class this offseason, otherwise he could be in trouble.
The schedule isn't getting any easier for Lupoi, as Cal's next three games come against Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and SMU who look like three of the best teams in the ACC. Picking up two wins over that stretch would go a long way toward bringing back hope, while losing 2 of 3 or worse will make bowl eligibility almost impossible.
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