Cal Associate Coach Nick Rolovich Discusses Development of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

All eyes are on a rising star in college football in Strawberry Canyon

Returning as quarterbacks coach, Cal associate head coach Nick Rolovich pointed to growing comfort and buy-in from quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele as Cal installs a new offense this spring.

“I think he’s definitely more comfortable with college football. He spent a lot of time once coach Somerville got hired diving into the offense, watching some Tampa Bay stuff, seeing kind of their style of play.

He’s doing more, and he understands that that’s important. All the guys — it’s important for them to get as tight as they can with [Offensive Coordinator] Coach Somerville, start to get into his brain and see how he thinks about things.”

Rolovich said the transition has required adjustment across the offense, with new terminology and structure accompanying the scheme.

“I think we’ll have differences. There’s different structure. There’s different terminology. There’s really only so many things you can do in football.

But I do like some of the answers that Coach Somerville has for the players. Not only does he know the offense, he knows the answers, and I think that’s very important.”

Time spent building chemistry — particularly with new receivers — has been a priority early in the spring.

“As much as he can. They’re spending time here, which we all have to do.

I think the second level of winning football games comes from spending time outside of football. I think he understands that.”

Rolovich also highlighted early impressions of transfer quarterback Jackson Brosseau and the overall dynamic within the room.

“Jackson has been really good mentally processing things. I think he’s done some of the concepts before, very comfortable under center.

He’s able not only to follow along, but he can also translate some things he’s done before.”

The emphasis, Rolovich said, is on collective development rather than individual separation.

“Because the goal is — we know Jaron and the season he had and what we think he can do — but we’ve learned it’s the whole room.

By putting that standard out there… if he rises, the whole room rises. They’re going to try to be together, they’re going to try to help each other. There’s a healthy competition.”