Cal Football Assistant Coaches Depart to UCLA, Kentucky, and Washington State
The Cal coaching staff is undergoing a significant overhaul.
Cal has a new coaching staff with Tosh Lupoi, meaning there have been a few departures.
Vic So’oto, co-defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach (to UCLA). So’oto continues his California tour by signing up at UCLA as the new linebackers coach. So’oto did a solid job developing pass rushers like TJ Bush Jr, Xavier Carlton and David Reese during his time with the Bears. His time as a coordinator (at special teams in 2023-24 and defensive coordinator this year) was a bit more erratic.
Matt Zenitz@mzenitzUCLA is hiring Vic So’oto as a linebackers coach, sources tell @CBSSports. The former NFL linebacker had been co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Cal. Before Cal, he was defensive line coach at USC. Has coached six future NFL draft picks.
9:12 PM · Dec 30, 2025 · 110K Views15 Replies · 83 Reposts · 669 Likes
Cal has replaced So’oto at co-defensive coordinator with Michael Hutchings as the lead and Da’Von Brown (holding the co- title).
Allen Brown, defensive backs coach (to Kentucky). With Terrence Brown taking on more defensive coordinator responsibilities, Allen Brown came in to collaborate to help the Bears retain the Takers philosophy. Hezekiah Masses became an All-American with the help of Brown’s tutelage. Paco Austin will be a potential late-round draft sleeper. Dru Polidore was one of the team’s leading tacklers.
Da’Von Brown (cornerbacks) and Connor Boyd (safeties) will be the new Cal secondary coaches.
Andrew Browning, defensive line coach (to Washington State). It’s been a mixed bag with Browning, who oversaw solid Cal run defenses, but there were never any stalwart gamechangers that could wreak havoc on a football game. Still, some very solid defenders developed under his watch, like Aidan Keanaaina, Ricky Correia, and Luc Bequette.
Darrion Daniels will be the new defensive line coach at Cal.
Here’s a look at the new Cal coaching staff, as far as we know.
Tosh Lupoi, head coach (Oregon defensive coordinator)
Jordan Somerville, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers assistant QB coach)
Nick Rolovich, quarterbacks coach (returning)
Keith Bhonapha, running backs coach (Michigan State RB/ST coach)
Ike Hilliard, wide receivers coach (long-time NFL WR coach)
Steve Haunga, tight ends coach/RGC (Oregon offensive analyst)
Viane Talamaivao, offensive tackles coach/RGC (former Stanford assistant OL coach)
Michael Hutchings, defensive coordinator (Vikings safeties coach)
Da’Von Brown, defensive backs/co-DC (Western Kentucky, same roles)
Darrion Daniels, defensive line coach (Oregon defensive analyst)
Connor Boyd, safeties coach (Oregon defensive analyst)
Zach Tinker, special teams coach (Oregon special teams analyst)
À definite Oregon lean to the new coaching crew. Let’s hope that experience leads to similar results seen in the football program at Oregon over the past few years. There’s really only one direction this can go!
Good to have coaches that know how to win! Tosh worked for Saban, Chris Peterson (I believe) and Lanning. Most (All?) of these hires have experience with winning programs. Mentored by great head coaches.