Cal running back coach Aristotle Thompson could leave for Northwestern

A situation to monitor in the Cal coaching room.

The California Golden Bears might have to look for a new running back coach soon. Pete Thamel of ESPN reports that running backs coach Aristotle Thompson has been targeted by the Northwestern Wildcats and he is expected to accept the same job there.

One potential factor in the decision for Thompson to choose Northwestern is due to his son Bryson, who has epilepsy. Northwestern is widely regarded to have one the best epilepsy care facilities in the United States. Aristotle and Bryson set up Helmets4Helmets to help children with epilepsy (click on the link to learn more and how to donate).

Thompson has been the running backs coach at Cal for the past five seasons. He is of course most known for bringing Jaydn Ott to Cal, who earned freshman All-American honors in 2022 and All-American Honors in 2023. Ott reacted with sadness at the news that Thompson might be leaving.

Thompson also was instrumental at running back recruiting, helping bring Jaivian Thomas, Byron Cardwell, Kadarius Calloway, Justin Williams-Thomas, and a host of other runners to the Bears to help improve depth in case of injury.

If Thompson were to leave, this would mean tight end coach Mike Saffell as the lone offensive holdover from the 2024 coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin will have to find a new face in a hurry.