Cal coaching search: Fellow alum, candidate Desean Jackson stumps for Tosh Lupoi to land job

Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is emerging as one of the favorites to become California‘s next head coach. Evidently, Lupoi has California legend Desean Jackson‘s full-fledged support.

“This the Man For the Job @CalFootball,” Jackson wrote on X. “We all behind you & Supporting it!! @CoachLup leggggggo.”

Jackson played at California from 2005-07. In his three seasons with the Golden Bears, Jackson amassed 2,423 receiving yards, 23 total touchdowns and 162 catches.

He has third-most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns of all time at California. More importantly, there are few alumni with more sway in the fanbase than Jackson, who went on to be a three-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion in the NFL.

Jackson certainly isn’t alone in his hope for Lupoi to replace former California head coach Justin Wilcox. Lupoi has been Oregon’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach since 2022.

Following Lupoi’s debut campaign at Oregon, the Ducks have annually had a Top 25 defense. Oregon is having its best defensive campaign yet under Lupoi this season.

The Ducks are giving up just 251.6 yards of offense per game, the third-least in the country. Lupoi’s coaching talent isn’t his only attribute that is enticing to California fans.

California is also Lupoi’s alma mater. The 44-year-old DC played for the Golden Bears from 2000-05. He was a defensive lineman and led the team in tackles in 2003. This past week, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning endorsed Lupoi’s ability to lead a team.

“Tosh is an unbelievable coach,” Lanning said. “I learned from him as much as, and now getting to work together in this setting as a head coach, but I’ve learned from him back when I was a GA at Alabama. And he is a relentless worker and an unbelievable guy in preparing. He’ll make an outstanding head coach, when the opportunity comes that he wants and it makes sense for him.

“Anybody that wouldn’t look at him would be crazy. I mean he does an unbelievable job. … He has a reputation of doing an unbelievable job as a recruiter, but that’s not all that he is. He’s an unbelievable coach. He can coach every position on defense, understands offensive ball, puts in the time and effort. So when he gets his opportunity I know he’ll kill it, and at some point that’ll happen.”

Tosh Lupoi’s first coaching gig was at California. He served as the Golden Bears’ defensive line coach from 2008-11. He also has coaching experience at Washington, Alabama and multiple NFL organizations.