Cal Defensive Coordinator Michael Hutchings Saw The Work Show Up In Spring Game

The new Cal defensive leader surveyed a spring's worth of progress and likes what he sees heading into fall.

Michael Hutchings came back to the Bay Area with deep roots here, and he’s spent the spring watching a defense from all over the country start to feel like home.

“We got a lot of transfers that come from outside of California. Teaching them about the Bay, making them feel comfortable, having the guys that are already on the team, everybody really coming together from January till now, seeing guys coming together, make one little area feel like home.”

On the field, the growth has come fast. Hutchings credits a group that absorbs coaching quickly and doesn’t need to be told things twice.

“You don’t really have to coach things over and over with these guys. You tell them once, maybe twice, and then they apply it, which allows us to really grow at a fast pace. The work has showed up definitely just over the last week, kind of seeing it come together from February till now.”

He declined to single out individuals, pointing instead to a group that has bought into a collective identity, highlighting the defensive front.

“We always try to keep it a group message. I know we talk about the linebackers and DBs, but I think just really giving a little bit of an applause to the front, the coaches, the front coalition and the guys that have worked in the background and don’t get a lot of recognition. Those guys have been a bright spot for us as well.”

The ability to go against a very improved running back room every day in practice has sharpened the defense’s instincts.

“Those guys in the running back room, they’re so talented, great personalities, great work ethic, flat out workhorses. You respect them a bunch and they make us so much better. We had our scrimmage last week and it really allowed us to see some growth moments and opportunities facing this quality of backs.”

That cross-unit familiarity doesn’t happen by accident. Head coach Tosh Lupoi has built the offseason program around mixing position groups deliberately.

“Every group activity, every extracurricular, trying to mix those groups up. How do we do great team building? My relationship with them comes from just the mixture of team building activities. Guys on each side of the ball have great relationships with the other coaches and other groups.”

With recruits on campus for the spring game, Hutchings saw the day as something bigger than a final exam.

“The whole spring in general is a chance for them to see us really exemplify our culture, show who we are in Berkeley. What is this school about? What’s the staff about? What’s the new standard? Coach Tosh is playing to take care of home, blitz the Bay, take care of California and the West Coast, but still have great opportunities in the transfer portal and do a good job of bringing guys into this culture.”

Read more about the spring game below.