Vic So'oto adds Cal special teams coordinator to outside linebacker coaching responsibilities

The Cal coaching staff positions appear to be finalized for 2023.

The California Golden Bears appear to have finalized their coaching staff duties for the 2023 season. Vic So’oto will be taking on special teams coordinator responsibilities along with his current outside linebacker coaching duties. This will be the first time So’oto has been a special teams coach—he has been primarily a position coach (defensive line at Virginia/USC, OLBs at USC/Cal).

Michael Barton had been mostly responsible for Cal special teams as a quality control coach last season, with additional coaches weighing in when needed. Barton left for Nevada this offseason to get a full position coaching job (interestingly with the same duties as So’oto), likely thanks to a referral from former offensive line coach Angus McClure (who returned to the Wolf Pack after being relieved of his duties with the Bears).

Cal had average special teams without a dedicated coach in 2022, but no one would consider this a unit that was uplifting the Bears beyond their expected results. It’ll be interesting to monitor if So’oto can uplift this unit after a few years in the doldrums.

Here’s the Cal coaching staff responsibilities for 2023:

• Travers Family Head Coach: Justin Wilcox

• Defensive coordinator & inside linebackers: Peter Sirmon

• Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks: Jake Spavital

• Offensive line & run game coordinator: Mike Bloesch

• Defensive backs (corners): Terrence Brown

• Defensive line: Andrew Browning

• Tight ends: Tim Plough

• Special teams & outside linebackers: Vic So’oto

• Running backs: Aristotle Thompson

• Wide receivers & recruiting coordinator: Burl Toler III

• Defensive backs (safeties): Tre Watson

• Strength and conditioning coach: Brian Johnson