Cal fans took to the internet after Saturday night’s sizable loss like hundreds of souls escaping from a cursed tomb, finding only each other to speak to in the empty cemetery that is Twitter at 1 am Pacific time. The post-game press conference did not reassure the faithful.
On the heels of a come-from-behind effort against Virginia Tech, with a satiated fanbase basking in the glow of an unexpected win, the thought process was looking forward to having Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele return to under center, and how he might look in a more legible offense with faster reads. What followed on Saturday night baffled national reporters and Calgorithm burners alike. After an offseason of change and promise, of which the retention of Cal’s standout true freshman quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele seemed to be a keystone, fans find themselves questioning everything about the program, stopping just short of the enthusiastic chancellor Rich Lyons.
It is usually hard to say, in the room, how sound bites will fare in public, out of context, to the scrolling reader. Two weeks ago, after Cal’s jarring loss to UNLV, Tosh Lupoi took to the podium the following Tuesday with understanding, and spoke at length about personal responsibility, but worded in a way that left grown-ups with jobs no choice but to argue with one another in sprawling comment sections. In the moment, I had been impressed with the ownership taken over mistakes to that point, and the subsequent faithful freakout felt a little silly, only for the following week to put all questions back on the table.
Tosh began today’s comments taking “extreme ownership” over last week’s loss, continuing that he is “not looking for a way out, not pointing fingers to the staff or players.” For all the confusing decision-making, further complicated by competing narratives and what we can’t see and don’t know, Coach Lupoi has not aired out anyone but himself, and seems to adhere to a player safety protocol much more careful and protective of athletes than many men of his demeanor, (Ian Strong was held out last week because of tweaks during warm ups, etc). This does not always make his answers more appealing in the moment.
The crux of fan frustration comes from last week’s choice to start Jackson Brosseau, a decision that was taken by many in the press to be more gamesmanship than an actual decision. As play progressed, and it became clear Brosseau was the starter and chosen quarterback for the day, online speculation grew around why the jewel of Cal’s roster retention might have been held out of the game, aspersions flying in many directions.
Lupoi addressed this today as follows; “Jaron was available for this last game, that was the first time he was available to play, k? Alright, so the preparation leading into the game plays a big role of (sic) who can play, and put us in the best position for success. After Jackson led us to a victory, who’s available for preparation, who’s available for the week.”
A charitable interpretation of these comments is that Sagapolutele was not out of concussion protocol the Sunday or Monday following Virginia Tech, and had not had adequate time without being somewhat concussed to study the new offense. It does not quell any confusion around his appearance at the end of the third quarter, down 41. The subtext being that it would be hard to find someone beyond the coaching staff who might view Brosseau and Sagapolutele as competing talents.
Something happens when the national media decides that your quarterback is Sunday material. A program no longer has a quarterback, they become stewards of an early first round draft pick who is meant to save the Jets or the Browns. Having been elevated to this status since early last season it is a difficult narrative for a coaching staff to fight. It may be impossible.
Coach Lupoi answered a follow up about next week’s signal caller; “I’m going to put the individual that I think is best for us to go win the game coming up this Saturday, so you’ll see who’s out there based off of my decision.”
For information on where to watch this Saturday’s matchup against SMU check here
The Chronicle reported this:
“Tosh Lupoi had a decision to make, he’s sticking with Jackson as the starter tonight, said this will be a quarterback competition moving forward,” Sisler said on the broadcast during Cal’s first drive. “Tosh told us he met privately with Jaron on Sunday, addressed the entire offense on Monday, telling them this was a dream come true as a head coach with two ballers at quarterback.”
It's demotivating to a team to have the coach create confusion about the team's leadership. It's insulting for the head coach to make the team's QB ambiguity a privilege for him. It shows lack of support for either of his QBs.
Clarity and support and focus is what's needed in time of confusion.
If I were JKS, I would be calling my agent.
Lupoi's body language in that press conference says it all: He is in over his head and has no idea how to fix the sinking ship known as Cal Football.