Since 2026
A Cal alum who played defensive line for the Golden Bears (2000-05) before rising through the program's coaching staff and later serving as Alabama's and Oregon's defensive coordinator. Hired in Dec. 2025 after Justin Wilcox was fired mid-season (48-55 over nine years, despite a 2022 extension through 2027) — a homecoming hire specifically built around retaining breakout freshman QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
Record & context
Lifetime recordFirst college head-coaching job
Current program1st season at California
Years in system—
ATS contextNo single published career ATS figure Cal finished 2025 at 7-6 (4-4 ACC) under Wilcox/interim Nick Rolovich, capped by a Hawaii Bowl loss. Wilcox's firing came despite a signature 38-35 upset of SMU late in the season — a real case of a big extension not guaranteeing job security once results didn't follow.
Previous season7–6 (4–4 ACC)
Compensation
Salary~$2.0M (waived Oregon buyout)
SourceCoach salary per SI (Lupoi's prior Oregon DC salary was reported at $2M; his Oregon buyout was waived since he left for an FBS head-coaching job; a 5-yr Cal deal terms not fully public). NIL figure per SF Standard reporting citing GM Ron Rivera: Cal's total roster spending is now in the ~$30M range, in line with ACC upper-tier programs like Clemson and Florida State. QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele in
Designationreported
Confidence—
Figures are labeled by designation. Estimated values are not official contract terms.