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If Wisconsin defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox were to accept the Cal head coaching job, it sounds like a familiar face will be returning to the Bears.
Ryan Gorcey is reporting that Tosh Lupoi will be Wilcox’s likely defensive coordinator.
It's widely believed by multiple sources with knowledge of their relationship that Lupoi -- who was close to signing a contract to return to Berkeley two months ago -- will join Wilcox, after his two-year stay at Alabama as outside linebackers coach and run game coordinator. It's expected that Lupoi would be Wilcox's defensive coordinator.
There is one interesting nugget hidden in there: Sonny Dykes wanted Tosh Lupoi to be the new Cal defensive coordinator, but for some reason it didn’t happen. One has to wonder that if Dykes closed on Lupoi, would Sonny still be the head coach?
In any case, this would be an ideal defensive marriage. Wilcox is likely to be the defensive Jeff Tedford. As Cal head coach, he’ll still be in charge of much of the defensive gameplanning, with Lupoi executing his vision on gamedays until he becomes
Lupoi could focus primarily on his specialty, which is being a dynamite recruiter. At Cal Lupoi earned the National Recruiter of the Year award in 2010, and helped assemble the talent for the rosters of two playoff finalists at both Washington and Alabama.
You may know Lupoi for helping to recruit Keenan Allen to Cal. You also may know Lupoi for the infamous Shaq Thompson situation. His return to Cal would definitely rankle some people, but it sounds as if the donors high on up are quick to forgive.
I asked donor source in November if the tide had turned wrt Cal and Tosh Lupoi. Source said he'd be welcomed back.
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) January 13, 2017
He also recruited future NFL talents like DeAndre Coleman, Chris McCain, Richard Rodgers to Cal, and coached NFL defensive lineman like Cameron Jordan and Tyson Alualu. Cal’s defensive lines were excellent during Lupoi’s time, they were pretty good at Washington, and he’s helped coach up one of the best linebacking corps in the nation as outside linebackers coach at Alabama. Lupoi was co-defensive coordinator at Alabama as well.
Cal fans, thoughts on Lupoi as the prospective defensive coordinator?