California is working to finalize a deal to hire Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi as its next head coach, On3's Pete Nakos reported Tuesday.
Lupoi is set to replace Justin Wilcox, who was dismissed after eight seasons in Berkeley. His candidacy surged quickly after general manager Ron Rivera announced the program would part ways with Wilcox.
A former Cal standout, Lupoi also launched his coaching career in Berkeley as the defensive line coach from 2008-11. He has built one of the nation’s premier defenses at Oregon. The Ducks ranked third nationally in total defense during the 2025 regular season, allowing just 251.6 yards per game, and held opponents to 14.8 points per contest, eighth-best in the FBS.
After leaving Cal in 2011, Lupoi spent two seasons at Washington before joining Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama, where he rose from analyst to defensive coordinator by 2018. He then spent three seasons in the NFL with Cleveland, Atlanta and Jacksonville before reuniting with Dan Lanning at Oregon in 2022.
For Oregon, this is the second coordinator to exit from Eugene in 24 hours. Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein prepares to take over at Kentucky in 2026.
Lanning's team finished 10-2 with a rivalry win over Washington and now await their postseason fate ahead of Sunday’s College Football Playoff selection.
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