Top Contenders to Replace Justin Wilcox at Cal: Tosh Lupoi, DeSean Jackson
Justin Wilcox, who served nearly a decade as head coach at Cal, has been dismissed following a disappointing season. His departure follows a significant loss to rival Stanford, finishing with a 6-5 record. Even though Cal is not considered one of the top coaching vacancies, various candidates with local connections are showing interest.
Potential Candidates to Replace Justin Wilcox at Cal
Cal boasts an impressive young quarterback, 19-year-old Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, which makes the position more attractive. Interim coach Nick Rolovich, a Bay Area native with previous head coaching experience at Washington State and Hawaii, will lead the team in the upcoming regular-season finale against SMU.
Tosh Lupoi: Leading Candidate
Tosh Lupoi, currently the defensive coordinator at Oregon, is seen as a frontrunner for the head coaching position. At 44 years old, Lupoi is a former Cal player who has excelled in recruiting while on Jeff Tedford’s staff. Additionally, he has coached under Nick Saban at Alabama and has recently built a solid defense with the Ducks.
Key details about Tosh Lupoi include:
- Age: 44
- Previous teams: Alabama, Oregon
- Key achievements: Helped improve Oregon’s defense, known for strong recruiting skills.
Other Notable Candidates
Several other coaches are being considered for the role:
- Tim Plough (UC Davis): With strong Berkeley ties, Plough has a record of 19-6 with UC Davis and previously served as a tight ends coach at Cal.
- Jim Mora (UConn): Having had success at UConn with an 18-7 record over two years, Mora is well-versed in the UC system and has strong West Coast connections.
- Sean Lewis (San Diego State): In his second year with SDSU, Lewis is generating buzz after a successful season, and he is being considered for multiple coaching vacancies.
- Jason Eck (New Mexico): Eck has made an impact in his debut season coaching the Lobos, leading them to an 8-3 record.
- Ryan Grubb (Alabama): The offensive coordinator has rejuvenated Alabama’s passing game, rankling it No. 10 in FBS.
- DeSean Jackson (Delaware State): The former Cal star player has revitalized Delaware State’s football program with an 8-4 record in his first year as a coach.
Each candidate brings unique strengths and experiences that could be beneficial for Cal. As the search unfolds, the university will need to weigh all options carefully to find the best fit for the program’s future.
