BREAKING: Tosh Lupoi reportedly in negotiations to be Cal's next head coach

The worst kept secret in college football is now out in the open.

Credit: Oregon Football

Bruce Feldman and Chris Vannini of the Athletic were first to report what we’ve all been hearing: The California Golden Bears are in advanced talks with Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi to be the next head coach.

Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is the top target of Cal’s search for its next head coach, sources briefed on the negotiations told The Athletic. The job would represent a return home for Lupoi, a Bay Area native who played at Cal from 2000 to ’05 and later spent 2008-11 as the Golden Bears’ defensive line coach.

Pete Nakos of On3 has confirmed this. Joaquin Ruiz of the Daily Cal confirmed the report. Ruiz also reports there is optimism that quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and interim head coach Nick Rolovich will be retained if Lupoi is the hire.

This is a crucial development on the eve of National Signing Day tomorrow, as Cal’s high school recruits are still likely waiting for a signal of who their next leader will be. The reports breaking now should give current and future Cal players a lot of confidence that a plan is in motion to having a coach in place soon.

Nothing is set in stone quite yet, but these national reports do indicate the Golden Bears are trending toward having a new leader in Strawberry Canyon. Former Cal players who have played or coached with Lupoi have advocated for him, and he has a long set of bona fides since he last coached here. This would be a huge step forward for the program if this were to be finalized today.