Alex, Thanks much for sharing your perspective regarding Coach Lupoi. I was quite upset when he originally left Cal -- it severely hurt Cal Football. Assuming he is successful, I can't help but wonder if he'll pull a repeat performance when a higher profile program goes after him. In short, I just don't trust the guy. Yet I can't ignore the fact that Ron Rivera (who is no fool) believes in him and there appears to be many folks like you who also vouch for Coach Lupoi. So, thank you again for sharing your perspective. Go Bears!
You have to think that what happened in 2012 also left a bad taste in Tosh's mouth (not just ours). Guy is an alum; the reaction to what happened must sting. I am sure that he wants this chance not only as a career step but as a chance to make things right with his alma mater.
And even if he does go somewhere higher next, he'll be leaving us in a much better position than when he started.
Cal hasn't had a coach leave on their own since Mooch did it (after only 1 year) in 1996. I'd love for us to not be in a position where we have to fire our head coach.
That's what I was thinking. Now that we have some actual $, finally a program that wants to win, lead by former bears that are all in, and he's head coach of it all, where could be more enticing besides the pros?
Always a concern. Of course it's just the way things are done now across the league so I've stopped worrying about it. We'll see how many players we get from his time at Oregon. Best thing we can hope is that Cal will become successful and continue that success after he leaves, whether that happens in 5 years or 25 years.
I was in my early 20s when coach Lupoi left for udub and I never felt it was his fault, or at most he carried some blame along with Tedford who threw him under a bus against Oregon and also undervalued him when it time to make it good financially.What im saying has nothing to do with thisgreat article. Anyways I'm so happy Tosh is back and think he`ll be coach 1\1 in the ACC within 3 years and have our Bears nationally relevant within 5 to 7, Go Bears forever!!!
I remember that stuff. I remember a lot of bad things that happened in the past. But right now, I am believing that the changes we are seeing are good for Cal football. Real good. And, foolishly perhaps, I believe this mix of old and new coaches and players are going to be very competitive starting in 2026. Of source it is too soon to know anything about how these guys will gel and play together. We have mostly always hoped for the best and believed in the hype or whatever. This feels very different from that. I think they are going to be very good and turn things around from where Cal has been very quickly. I sure hope so; I got a bunch of home game tickets and will be pissed if it aint so. Go Bears!
I like the fact that Tosh is keeping so many of the current coaches. Many head coaches just want “their” guys around. Tosh seems to be taking the approach that there are already good people at Cal, let’s take them and add to it. He is assembling a massive staff. Ron Rivera has tapped into some huge resources for him to work with.
As for fears of him leaving, if you can transform your alma mater into a powerhouse, why would you want to go anywhere else?
When I was in 7th grade on my way into the gym with friends for CYO basketball practice, another kid came out of the gym, quite upset, to say coach had done something so unfair (don’t recall what) that he was quitting the team. This was one of the charismatic leader kids and in short order we all had quit, too. Coach wondered where we all were, came and found us, and settled the misunderstanding or grievance and let us all back onto the team with no big deal. We were 12.
In 2012, young men old enough to vote voted with their feet and followed Coach Lupoi to his new gig at Washington. This hardly qualifies as “taking them” as if he threw a sack over their heads and stuffed them into a waiting van. They were adults making adult choices. Who even knows if some or all approached him about the move? Ancient history. Let’s move on.
When judging a person's character, I believe that the best indicator is how that person acts, not what they say. 2011 is history, but it's not ancient. It is evidence of Coach Lupio's character -- how he acted toward Coach Tedford, etc. at a key time. But in spite of all that, GM Rivera has vouched for Coach Lupoi, and Lupoi is the HC. So, I sincerely hope my assessment of Coach Lupoi's character is proven to be 100% out of date and that when the first high profile program comes knocking on his door, Coach Lupoi does not repeat what he did in 2011.
If you’re going to post on this issue, you should at least know the history. Much more there than your write up implies. With that said, I agree with the first reply and am good to move on and support him.
Of course there’s lots more to know — can any of us truly know what really occurred? — but since when is there a knowledge threshold for posting? I couched my opinion in personal experience and observable fact. No one put a gun to the players and said leave for Washington.
Great story! Here's hoping that Tosh and Ron can navigate us through the rough seas of modern college football!
Phenomenal article
I was gonna write my own post but hard to say it better than this….. +1!
Alex, Thanks much for sharing your perspective regarding Coach Lupoi. I was quite upset when he originally left Cal -- it severely hurt Cal Football. Assuming he is successful, I can't help but wonder if he'll pull a repeat performance when a higher profile program goes after him. In short, I just don't trust the guy. Yet I can't ignore the fact that Ron Rivera (who is no fool) believes in him and there appears to be many folks like you who also vouch for Coach Lupoi. So, thank you again for sharing your perspective. Go Bears!
You have to think that what happened in 2012 also left a bad taste in Tosh's mouth (not just ours). Guy is an alum; the reaction to what happened must sting. I am sure that he wants this chance not only as a career step but as a chance to make things right with his alma mater.
Lovely thought!
If Tosh does this right, there will be no higher place to leave to. Time to dream big
And even if he does go somewhere higher next, he'll be leaving us in a much better position than when he started.
Cal hasn't had a coach leave on their own since Mooch did it (after only 1 year) in 1996. I'd love for us to not be in a position where we have to fire our head coach.
That's what I was thinking. Now that we have some actual $, finally a program that wants to win, lead by former bears that are all in, and he's head coach of it all, where could be more enticing besides the pros?
Always a concern. Of course it's just the way things are done now across the league so I've stopped worrying about it. We'll see how many players we get from his time at Oregon. Best thing we can hope is that Cal will become successful and continue that success after he leaves, whether that happens in 5 years or 25 years.
I was in my early 20s when coach Lupoi left for udub and I never felt it was his fault, or at most he carried some blame along with Tedford who threw him under a bus against Oregon and also undervalued him when it time to make it good financially.What im saying has nothing to do with thisgreat article. Anyways I'm so happy Tosh is back and think he`ll be coach 1\1 in the ACC within 3 years and have our Bears nationally relevant within 5 to 7, Go Bears forever!!!
I remember that stuff. I remember a lot of bad things that happened in the past. But right now, I am believing that the changes we are seeing are good for Cal football. Real good. And, foolishly perhaps, I believe this mix of old and new coaches and players are going to be very competitive starting in 2026. Of source it is too soon to know anything about how these guys will gel and play together. We have mostly always hoped for the best and believed in the hype or whatever. This feels very different from that. I think they are going to be very good and turn things around from where Cal has been very quickly. I sure hope so; I got a bunch of home game tickets and will be pissed if it aint so. Go Bears!
I like the fact that Tosh is keeping so many of the current coaches. Many head coaches just want “their” guys around. Tosh seems to be taking the approach that there are already good people at Cal, let’s take them and add to it. He is assembling a massive staff. Ron Rivera has tapped into some huge resources for him to work with.
As for fears of him leaving, if you can transform your alma mater into a powerhouse, why would you want to go anywhere else?
When I was in 7th grade on my way into the gym with friends for CYO basketball practice, another kid came out of the gym, quite upset, to say coach had done something so unfair (don’t recall what) that he was quitting the team. This was one of the charismatic leader kids and in short order we all had quit, too. Coach wondered where we all were, came and found us, and settled the misunderstanding or grievance and let us all back onto the team with no big deal. We were 12.
In 2012, young men old enough to vote voted with their feet and followed Coach Lupoi to his new gig at Washington. This hardly qualifies as “taking them” as if he threw a sack over their heads and stuffed them into a waiting van. They were adults making adult choices. Who even knows if some or all approached him about the move? Ancient history. Let’s move on.
When judging a person's character, I believe that the best indicator is how that person acts, not what they say. 2011 is history, but it's not ancient. It is evidence of Coach Lupio's character -- how he acted toward Coach Tedford, etc. at a key time. But in spite of all that, GM Rivera has vouched for Coach Lupoi, and Lupoi is the HC. So, I sincerely hope my assessment of Coach Lupoi's character is proven to be 100% out of date and that when the first high profile program comes knocking on his door, Coach Lupoi does not repeat what he did in 2011.
If you’re going to post on this issue, you should at least know the history. Much more there than your write up implies. With that said, I agree with the first reply and am good to move on and support him.
Of course there’s lots more to know — can any of us truly know what really occurred? — but since when is there a knowledge threshold for posting? I couched my opinion in personal experience and observable fact. No one put a gun to the players and said leave for Washington.
One of my favorite WFC pieces ever. Great job with this one.
Thanks, that was great.
I love this article. It will be filed in my conscious and unconscious mind as I watch what happens next in the Tosh Lupoi story.