Image source: Cal Athletics | Tim Warner/Getty Images
Tosh Lupoi’s return to Berkeley as California’s 35th head coach feels less like a restart and more like destiny. The 44-year-old Cal alum played five seasons with the Golden Bears, coached in the program until 2011, and remained closely tied to Cal even after leaving for other Power Five stops.
That long connection recently came back into focus when Cal legend Jared Goff returned to campus and shared a story that traces his entire college career back to one moment—and one person. According to Goff, Tosh Lupoi was the first coach to ever reach out to him during the recruiting process.
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“I went back through my Facebook messages,” Goff told Lupoi. “The very first message I ever received was from Tosh Lupoi—‘Great game last night, go Bears.’ That was the first contact from Cal.”
That message mattered. Cal became the first program to offer Goff a scholarship, making the moment especially meaningful years later. Goff credited that early outreach as the spark that started everything, calling it a true full-circle experience.
At the time, Tosh Lupoi was one of Cal’s most active recruiters and the primary staffer assigned to Goff, who was a four-star quarterback out of Marin Catholic. Lupoi did the early work by building the relationship and locking in Goff’s interest during the 2013 recruiting cycle.
Former head coach Jeff Tedford later formalized the offer, and Goff officially committed in March 2012. In past interviews, Goff has pointed to Tedford’s track record with quarterbacks as a major reason he stayed committed to Cal.
Quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo also played a key role. Goff described his fit with Tedford and Arroyo as a “perfect marriage” for his playing style. Even after Tedford was fired and Sonny Dykes took over late in 2012, Cal worked to keep Goff in the fold.
Assistant coach Jake Spavital initially had questions but changed his tune after watching Goff dominate a high school state championship game. “This kid is really special,” Spavital reportedly told Dykes, sealing the staff’s confidence.
By the time Goff arrived on campus in January 2013, Tosh Lupoi had already left for Washington as the Huskies’ defensive line coach. Several elite recruits, including five-star linebacker Shaq Thompson, followed Lupoi to Seattle. Goff did not—and Cal benefited in historic fashion.
At Berkeley, Goff broke 26 school records and became the only quarterback in program history to start a season opener as a true freshman. He threw for 467 yards and six touchdowns in the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl and finished second all-time at Cal in passing efficiency (143.95), trailing only Aaron Rodgers, according to Cal Athletics records.
Now back in Berkeley, Tosh Lupoi has quickly returned to his recruiting roots. One of his top in-state targets is four-star safety Malakai Taufoou, but competition is fierce.
Oregon, Lupoi’s former employer, recently offered Taufoou under head coach Dan Lanning. Taufoou has called Oregon a “dream school” and cited long-standing relationships with the Ducks’ staff, adding pressure to the recruitment.
Still, Cal remains firmly in the mix. Taufoou visited campus recently for the Bears’ Premier Day and emphasized how much Tosh Lupoi’s presence means to him. “It’s extremely big that Tosh is there,” Taufoou said. “He’s from The Bay, and that’s special.”
Fourteen years after sending a simple message to Jared Goff, Tosh Lupoi is once again trying to turn early belief into long-term impact at Cal.
FAQ:
Who is Tosh Lupoi?
Tosh Lupoi is the head football coach at the University of California. He is a former Cal player and assistant coach who returned to Berkeley as the program’s 35th head coach after coaching stops at Washington, Oregon, and other Power Five programs.
How did Tosh Lupoi help recruit Jared Goff to Cal?
Tosh Lupoi was the first Cal coach to contact Jared Goff during the recruiting process. Lupoi sent Goff an early message while he was in high school, helping spark Goff’s interest in Cal and laying the foundation for his eventual commitment.
Was Cal the first school to offer Jared Goff a scholarship?
Yes. Cal was the first program to offer Jared Goff a scholarship, making his recruitment a full-circle moment when he recently returned to campus and reunited with Tosh Lupoi.
Did Tosh Lupoi coach Jared Goff at Cal?
No. Tosh Lupoi left Cal for Washington in 2012, one year before Jared Goff played his first game for the Golden Bears. Although Lupoi helped recruit him, they never worked together during Goff’s playing career.
Why did Jared Goff choose Cal football?
Jared Goff has credited Cal’s early belief in him, head coach Jeff Tedford’s history of developing quarterbacks, and quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo as major reasons for choosing the Golden Bears.
What records did Jared Goff set at Cal?
Jared Goff set 26 school records at Cal and became the only quarterback in program history to start a season opener as a true freshman. He also finished second all-time in passing efficiency at Cal, behind only Aaron Rodgers.
What is Tosh Lupoi doing now at Cal?
As Cal’s head coach, Tosh Lupoi has quickly focused on recruiting, especially in-state talent. One of his key targets is four-star safety Malakai Taufoou, as Lupoi looks to rebuild the program through strong local connections.
Why is Oregon competing with Cal for Malakai Taufoou?
Oregon is heavily involved because Taufoou has long viewed the Ducks as a dream school and has strong ties to their coaching staff. Oregon’s recent on-field success has also made them a major threat in the recruiting battle.
Why is Tosh Lupoi important to Cal’s recruiting future?
Tosh Lupoi is known as an elite recruiter with deep Bay Area roots. His history of identifying and landing top talent—such as Jared Goff—has given Cal optimism that he can help restore the program’s recruiting strength.
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