Well, guys, all this head-coaching search stuff appears to be just a formality before Tosh is announced.

I think it's a mistake.

The issue I'm not seeing discussed is how bad of a match Tosh is for Cal's situation.

Head Coaching Gap.

Tosh has never been a head coach at any level. The skills that make someone an elite recruiter and position coach don't automatically translate to managing an entire program. What makes anyone think an elite recruiter in the pre-NIL era, who used shady tactics and whose credit for great defenses is a bit shaky, makes a great head coach?

Ethical Issues.

I personally want a head coach who develops our young men into men of character. Wilcox didn't have the wins, but he did seem to have integrity and character.

There have been numerous issues with Tosh's past, including paying for tutoring, etc., which caused Washington to pay him $300K in a separation settlement to leave.

JKS wants a head coach with character and integrity. As do I.

Maybe he has changed. But I haven't seen anything to suggest he has.

Resource Mismatch Problem

This. Is. The. Biggest. Issue.

Cal receives only a partial share of ACC revenueroughly $25 million annually for the next nine years before receiving full shares. For context, schools like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami receive full shares plus massive NIL support from deep donor bases. Top SEC programs like Texas and LSU are spending $40+ million on athlete compensation. Some programs are pushing past $50 million.

Cal's matching program tops out at $6 million from campus resources for football, plus whatever donors contribute. Even at maximum capacity, Cal's football roster spending would likely fall well short of what Clemson, Miami, or even schools like SMU can offer.

Tosh's entire career has been spent in programs with deep resources:

• Alabama: One of the richest programs in CFB
• Oregon: Backed by Phil Knight's Nike wealth

Tosh has never had to build a winner in a resource-constrained environment. He has never had to identify overlooked talent, develop walk-ons into contributors, or scheme around roster limitations. His recruiting success has always been about convincing elite prospects to choose his program over other elite programsnot about finding diamonds in the rough.

What Cal Actually Needs

If we want to compete for 8+ wins in the ACC consistently, we need a coach whose profile looks very different from Tosh:

A Strong In-Game Coach, Not Just a Recruiter

In a league where most rivals will outspend us, the coaching staff needs to consistently out-scheme and out-prepare opponents. This requires a head coach who can maximize the talent on the rosternot one whose primary asset is getting talent to campus in the first place.

Experience Identifying Non-Obvious Talent

We won't win bidding wars for 5-stars. Maybe we get 1 or 2. But more generally, we need a coach with a track record of finding undervalued recruitsplayers other programs overlooked who develop into difference-makers. Coaches who've built winners at mid-major programs or in the Group of 5 often have this skill. Tosh has never demonstrated it.

A System That Elevates Roster Talent

The most successful resource-constrained programs run schemes designed to maximize their roster's strengths while hiding weaknesses. Think of what Jason Eck is doing at New Mexico. These coaches don't need five-stars to win; they need players who fit their system and coaching that develops them.

Ownership of Offensive Identity

We have a special quarterback in JKS. Tosh is a defensive coach who would need to hire an offensive coordinator and hand over that side of the ball entirely. Is he the right person to build an offense around JKS's development?

Better Alternatives Given the Above

Jason Eck, Tim Plough, Ryan Grubb, Desean Jackson (High Risk, High Reward)

K1min8r said:

---

Well, guys, all this head-coaching search stuff appears to be just a formality before Tosh is announced.

I think it's a mistake.

The issue I'm not seeing discussed is how bad of a match Tosh is for Cal's situation.

Head Coaching Gap.

Tosh has never been a head coach at any level. The skills that make someone an elite recruiter and position coach don't automatically translate to managing an entire program. What makes anyone think an elite recruiter in the pre-NIL era, who used shady tactics and whose credit for great defenses is a bit shaky, makes a great head coach?

Ethical Issues.

I personally want a head coach who develops our young men into men of character. Wilcox didn't have the wins, but he did seem to have integrity and character.

There have been numerous issues with Tosh's past, including paying for tutoring, etc., which caused Washington to pay him $300K in a separation settlement to leave.

JKS wants a head coach with character and integrity. As do I.

Maybe he has changed. But I haven't seen anything to suggest he has.

Resource Mismatch Problem

This. Is. The. Biggest. Issue.

Cal receives only a partial share of ACC revenueroughly $25 million annually for the next nine years before receiving full shares. For context, schools like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami receive full shares plus massive NIL support from deep donor bases. Top SEC programs like Texas and LSU are spending $40+ million on athlete compensation. Some programs are pushing past $50 million.

Cal's matching program tops out at $6 million from campus resources for football, plus whatever donors contribute. Even at maximum capacity, Cal's football roster spending would likely fall well short of what Clemson, Miami, or even schools like SMU can offer.

Tosh's entire career has been spent in programs with deep resources:

• Alabama: One of the richest programs in CFB
• Oregon: Backed by Phil Knight's Nike wealth

Tosh has never had to build a winner in a resource-constrained environment. He has never had to identify overlooked talent, develop walk-ons into contributors, or scheme around roster limitations. His recruiting success has always been about convincing elite prospects to choose his program over other elite programsnot about finding diamonds in the rough.

What Cal Actually Needs

If we want to compete for 8+ wins in the ACC consistently, we need a coach whose profile looks very different from Tosh:

A Strong In-Game Coach, Not Just a Recruiter

In a league where most rivals will outspend us, the coaching staff needs to consistently out-scheme and out-prepare opponents. This requires a head coach who can maximize the talent on the rosternot one whose primary asset is getting talent to campus in the first place.

Experience Identifying Non-Obvious Talent

We won't win bidding wars for 5-stars. Maybe we get 1 or 2. But more generally, we need a coach with a track record of finding undervalued recruitsplayers other programs overlooked who develop into difference-makers. Coaches who've built winners at mid-major programs or in the Group of 5 often have this skill. Tosh has never demonstrated it.

A System That Elevates Roster Talent

The most successful resource-constrained programs run schemes designed to maximize their roster's strengths while hiding weaknesses. Think of what Jason Eck is doing at New Mexico. These coaches don't need five-stars to win; they need players who fit their system and coaching that develops them.

Ownership of Offensive Identity

We have a special quarterback in JKS. Tosh is a defensive coach who would need to hire an offensive coordinator and hand over that side of the ball entirely. Is he the right person to build an offense around JKS's development?

Better Alternatives Given the Above

Jason Eck, Tim Plough, Ryan Grubb, Desean Jackson (High Risk, High Reward)

---

I am sure that this must be rage bait. Read your first sentence about head coaching gap and then you suggest Ryan Grubb. You cite resource mismatch and he doesn't know how to recruit at a place with constraints but then you leave out his most relevant experience, his long stint at Cal. That's us! You say you want more talent and then you ignore the fact that Lupoi is one of the best recruiter in the west coast. You say JKS wants someone ethical (just straight up lie unless u know JKS personally). JKS loves Rolo and Rolo has a lot of baggage himself.

Just walk off the ledge for a bit. It's going to be ok

TedfordTheGreat said:

---

I am sure that this must be rage bait. Read your first sentence about head coaching gap and then you suggest Ryan Grubb. You cite resource mismatch and he doesn't know how to recruit at a place with constraints but then you leave out his most relevant experience, his long stint at Cal. That's us! You say you want more talent and then you ignore the fact that Lupoi is one of the best recruiter in the west coast. You say JKS wants someone ethical (just straight up lie unless u know JKS personally). JKS loves Rolo and Rolo has a lot of baggage himself.

Just walk off the ledge for a bit. It's going to be ok

---

All good dawg, I'm not super emotional about this stuff like some on this board. Also, it's probably already a done deal.

For me, there isn't a perfect candidate, just some less bad than others.

Tosh will likely be a successful head coach somewheremost likely at a program with deep resources, strong defensive tradition, and the ability to recruit at the highest level.

My argument, though, is that Cal isn't that job. Cal is a program that needs to overperform its resources, develop overlooked talent, and out-coach opponents it can't out-recruit. Tosh has no track record suggesting he can do any of those things.

Hiring Tosh feels like hiring for the program Cal wishes it was, not the program it actually is.

The question isn't whether Tosh can recruit. The question is whether recruiting alone can win at Cal.

The answer, based on everything we know about the current college football landscape, is probably not.

Let's see. If it is Tosh, I obviously will hope he does well.

Anyway, I'll just leave this here and won't respond to other replies. Not looking for drama, lol

K1min8r said:

---

TedfordTheGreat said:

---

I am sure that this must be rage bait. Read your first sentence about head coaching gap and then you suggest Ryan Grubb. You cite resource mismatch and he doesn't know how to recruit at a place with constraints but then you leave out his most relevant experience, his long stint at Cal. That's us! You say you want more talent and then you ignore the fact that Lupoi is one of the best recruiter in the west coast. You say JKS wants someone ethical (just straight up lie unless u know JKS personally). JKS loves Rolo and Rolo has a lot of baggage himself.

Just walk off the ledge for a bit. It's going to be ok

---

All good dawg, I'm not super emotional about this stuff like some on this board. Also, it's probably already a done deal.

For me, there isn't a perfect candidate, just some less bad than others.

Tosh will likely be a successful head coach somewheremost likely at a program with deep resources, strong defensive tradition, and the ability to recruit at the highest level.

My argument, though, is that Cal isn't that job. Cal is a program that needs to overperform its resources, develop overlooked talent, and out-coach opponents it can't out-recruit. Tosh has no track record suggesting he can do any of those things.

Hiring Tosh feels like hiring for the program Cal wishes it was, not the program it actually is.

The question isn't whether Tosh can recruit. The question is whether recruiting alone can win at Cal.

The answer, based on everything we know about the current college football landscape, is probably not.

Let's see. If it is Tosh, I obviously will hope he does well.

Anyway, I'll just leave this here and won't respond to other replies. Not looking for drama, lol

---

All good! No drama here. I think i will end with this. If hired, its not Tosh vs the world. Its going to be Tosh + his OC and DC and Ron against the world.

I sincerely believe that if the recruiting comes, and some quick wins come. the support will come. Look at IU, we can get there too!

Two things:

1) Tosh did recruit well to Cal in a resource barren environment, albeit not one as competitive as we have today; and

2) Perhaps Tosh unlocks mega donors who have been on the sidelines and now Tosh will have the resources of the other schools. We were already trending upward in that regard.

K1min8r said:

---

Well, guys, all this head-coaching search stuff appears to be just a formality before Tosh is announced.

I think it's a mistake.

The issue I'm not seeing discussed is how bad of a match Tosh is for Cal's situation.

Head Coaching Gap.

Tosh has never been a head coach at any level. The skills that make someone an elite recruiter and position coach don't automatically translate to managing an entire program. What makes anyone think an elite recruiter in the pre-NIL era, who used shady tactics and whose credit for great defenses is a bit shaky, makes a great head coach?

Ethical Issues.

I personally want a head coach who develops our young men into men of character. Wilcox didn't have the wins, but he did seem to have integrity and character.

There have been numerous issues with Tosh's past, including paying for tutoring, etc., which caused Washington to pay him $300K in a separation settlement to leave.

JKS wants a head coach with character and integrity. As do I.

Maybe he has changed. But I haven't seen anything to suggest he has.

Resource Mismatch Problem

This. Is. The. Biggest. Issue.

Cal receives only a partial share of ACC revenueroughly $25 million annually for the next nine years before receiving full shares. For context, schools like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami receive full shares plus massive NIL support from deep donor bases. Top SEC programs like Texas and LSU are spending $40+ million on athlete compensation. Some programs are pushing past $50 million.

Cal's matching program tops out at $6 million from campus resources for football, plus whatever donors contribute. Even at maximum capacity, Cal's football roster spending would likely fall well short of what Clemson, Miami, or even schools like SMU can offer.

Tosh's entire career has been spent in programs with deep resources:

• Alabama: One of the richest programs in CFB
• Oregon: Backed by Phil Knight's Nike wealth

Tosh has never had to build a winner in a resource-constrained environment. He has never had to identify overlooked talent, develop walk-ons into contributors, or scheme around roster limitations. His recruiting success has always been about convincing elite prospects to choose his program over other elite programsnot about finding diamonds in the rough.

What Cal Actually Needs

If we want to compete for 8+ wins in the ACC consistently, we need a coach whose profile looks very different from Tosh:

A Strong In-Game Coach, Not Just a Recruiter

In a league where most rivals will outspend us, the coaching staff needs to consistently out-scheme and out-prepare opponents. This requires a head coach who can maximize the talent on the rosternot one whose primary asset is getting talent to campus in the first place.

Experience Identifying Non-Obvious Talent

We won't win bidding wars for 5-stars. Maybe we get 1 or 2. But more generally, we need a coach with a track record of finding undervalued recruitsplayers other programs overlooked who develop into difference-makers. Coaches who've built winners at mid-major programs or in the Group of 5 often have this skill. Tosh has never demonstrated it.

A System That Elevates Roster Talent

The most successful resource-constrained programs run schemes designed to maximize their roster's strengths while hiding weaknesses. Think of what Jason Eck is doing at New Mexico. These coaches don't need five-stars to win; they need players who fit their system and coaching that develops them.

Ownership of Offensive Identity

We have a special quarterback in JKS. Tosh is a defensive coach who would need to hire an offensive coordinator and hand over that side of the ball entirely. Is he the right person to build an offense around JKS's development?

Better Alternatives Given the Above

Jason Eck, Tim Plough, Ryan Grubb, Desean Jackson (High Risk, High Reward)

---

I agree with the analysis, pretty much. My biggest concerns about Tosh are lack of relevant experience (or quality thereof) and character.

People are excusing the character issue for a variety of reasons, none of which address the stubborn nature of innate wiring. As Popeye the Sailor Man said, "I am what I am."

Then, what has Tosh done as a leader? What can he take credit for, as opposed to being a member of a successful team and doing his part?

Those two risks are too big to overcome, especially when there are several other quality candidates out there (not necessarily Pough, Grubb, or Jackson). Eck, I don't know about. What's the deal with Lewis?

Does someone know things about Rolo that have been withheld? You're going to decide up or down on him because he made public his opinions and actions on vax? Even though problems have arisen in it? Or, that he sees it as an individual liberty thing, as opposed to what some see as an anti-social position. So, if he's otherwise the guy, we're gonna turn him away because we're afraid he might be made a poster boy for a social attitude that many oppose? Rolo may not be the guy, but I hope not just for this.

Mora's acceptance of the Colorado State job speaks volumes to me about the level of guy we maybe will be getting. Mora is far from the weakest candidate out there. I can't imagine that, if he were in serious contention for us, he would have jumped on the lesser job. He had a decision to make and saw what he was up against at Cal and decided that the competition was too stiff. That says to me that we're going to do OK.

The fact Alonzo Carter is not mentioned at all is exactly why fawning over tl is a bad look on many levels

At least the coach I fawn over didn't FO Cal …

It's really wild how much ignoring is going on … tosh is not on a lane or Sabin or day level not even close but hey

BearGreg said:

---

A lot of assumptions here:

• Tosh hasn't recruited well in the post NIL, portal world?
• Cal isn't going to be a well resourced football program going forward?
• Does Tosh not bring with him donors and does he not energize the donor base? Isn't that a primary reason for his being hired?

Here's the criteria as I see it:

Criteria:

You have to find someone who has the ruthless personality and obsession around winning. A leader whose north star every moment of every day is what can they do to improve the chances for the team to win. For Cal fans, Bruce Snyder and Jeff Tedford very obviously had this trait, Tom Holmoe and Justin Wilcox equally as demonstrably did not.

The need to win early and often means you likely need to lean into someone who is not the classic culture builder, rather an immediate culture changer. A bigger personality with a very clear vision about what defines the program. This becomes the litmus test for recruiting, hiring staff, etc. The shift in Culture has to be obvious, bold and aggressively implemented.

A coach who not only respects Cal's academic profile but embraces it as a leverage point in recruiting and fund raising. They have to get the importance of having high character staff and players in the program and understand and relishing this isn't a "we can admit anyone and the players can do all their classes online" program.

If the candidate is a sitting head coach, they must have 3+ years of proven success and a clear trend line of improvement. They need to be able to articulate what has made them successful and how that recipe applies to the unique circumstances in Berkeley. If they are moving up from FCS or the Group of 5, their recruiting plan has to be incredibly compelling and their plan/access to top tier assistants has to be manifest. Ideally, any G of 5 or FCS sitting head coach would have experience as a successful position coach/recruiter at the P4 level

if the candidate is a sitting P4 coordinator, it's critical they have the raw ambition and burning desire to be a Head Coach. Equally as important is their detailed blueprint of what they would do if they were a head coach at Cal. They're also going to need a 3+ year track record of their offense or defense being exceptional at the P4 level and a reputation as a top flight recruiter.

The next Head Coach has to have to have a robust network with high likelihood of hiring compelling assistants and a ready to roll recruiting plan for those coaches. The candidate need a detailed personnel plan, including players they can bring with them from their current gig, how they plan to retain critical talent at Cal, their approach to HS recruiting and to the portal. West Coast ties/experience is a bonus not mandatory.

Let me know if you disagree

---

Damn. You set a high bar. We will see.

BearGreg said:

---

A lot of assumptions here:

• Tosh hasn't recruited well in the post NIL, portal world?
• Cal isn't going to be a well resourced football program going forward?
• Does Tosh not bring with him donors and does he not energize the donor base? Isn't that a primary reason for his being hired?

Here's the criteria as I see it:

Criteria:

You have to find someone who has the ruthless personality and obsession around winning. A leader whose north star every moment of every day is what can they do to improve the chances for the team to win. For Cal fans, Bruce Snyder and Jeff Tedford very obviously had this trait, Tom Holmoe and Justin Wilcox equally as demonstrably did not.

The need to win early and often means you likely need to lean into someone who is not the classic culture builder, rather an immediate culture changer. A bigger personality with a very clear vision about what defines the program. This becomes the litmus test for recruiting, hiring staff, etc. The shift in Culture has to be obvious, bold and aggressively implemented.

A coach who not only respects Cal's academic profile but embraces it as a leverage point in recruiting and fund raising. They have to get the importance of having high character staff and players in the program and understand and relishing this isn't a "we can admit anyone and the players can do all their classes online" program.

If the candidate is a sitting head coach, they must have 3+ years of proven success and a clear trend line of improvement. They need to be able to articulate what has made them successful and how that recipe applies to the unique circumstances in Berkeley. If they are moving up from FCS or the Group of 5, their recruiting plan has to be incredibly compelling and their plan/access to top tier assistants has to be manifest. Ideally, any G of 5 or FCS sitting head coach would have experience as a successful position coach/recruiter at the P4 level

if the candidate is a sitting P4 coordinator, it's critical they have the raw ambition and burning desire to be a Head Coach. Equally as important is their detailed blueprint of what they would do if they were a head coach at Cal. They're also going to need a 3+ year track record of their offense or defense being exceptional at the P4 level and a reputation as a top flight recruiter.

The next Head Coach has to have to have a robust network with high likelihood of hiring compelling assistants and a ready to roll recruiting plan for those coaches. The candidate need a detailed personnel plan, including players they can bring with them from their current gig, how they plan to retain critical talent at Cal, their approach to HS recruiting and to the portal. West Coast ties/experience is a bonus not mandatory.

Let me know if you disagree

---

Character matters. I don't believe that someone who has shown a lack of an ethical rudder suddenly acquires one. This disqualifies Lupoi, in my opinion. Not only did Lupoi do something unethical, but he also did it to Cal!!!

K1min8r said:

---

Well, guys, all this head-coaching search stuff appears to be just a formality before Tosh is announced.

I think it's a mistake.

The issue I'm not seeing discussed is how bad of a match Tosh is for Cal's situation.

Head Coaching Gap.

Tosh has never been a head coach at any level. The skills that make someone an elite recruiter and position coach don't automatically translate to managing an entire program. What makes anyone think an elite recruiter in the pre-NIL era, who used shady tactics and whose credit for great defenses is a bit shaky, makes a great head coach?

Ethical Issues.

I personally want a head coach who develops our young men into men of character. Wilcox didn't have the wins, but he did seem to have integrity and character.

There have been numerous issues with Tosh's past, including paying for tutoring, etc., which caused Washington to pay him $300K in a separation settlement to leave.

JKS wants a head coach with character and integrity. As do I.

Maybe he has changed. But I haven't seen anything to suggest he has.

Resource Mismatch Problem

This. Is. The. Biggest. Issue.

Cal receives only a partial share of ACC revenueroughly $25 million annually for the next nine years before receiving full shares. For context, schools like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami receive full shares plus massive NIL support from deep donor bases. Top SEC programs like Texas and LSU are spending $40+ million on athlete compensation. Some programs are pushing past $50 million.

Cal's matching program tops out at $6 million from campus resources for football, plus whatever donors contribute. Even at maximum capacity, Cal's football roster spending would likely fall well short of what Clemson, Miami, or even schools like SMU can offer.

Tosh's entire career has been spent in programs with deep resources:

• Alabama: One of the richest programs in CFB
• Oregon: Backed by Phil Knight's Nike wealth

Tosh has never had to build a winner in a resource-constrained environment. He has never had to identify overlooked talent, develop walk-ons into contributors, or scheme around roster limitations. His recruiting success has always been about convincing elite prospects to choose his program over other elite programsnot about finding diamonds in the rough.

What Cal Actually Needs

If we want to compete for 8+ wins in the ACC consistently, we need a coach whose profile looks very different from Tosh:

A Strong In-Game Coach, Not Just a Recruiter

In a league where most rivals will outspend us, the coaching staff needs to consistently out-scheme and out-prepare opponents. This requires a head coach who can maximize the talent on the rosternot one whose primary asset is getting talent to campus in the first place.

Experience Identifying Non-Obvious Talent

We won't win bidding wars for 5-stars. Maybe we get 1 or 2. But more generally, we need a coach with a track record of finding undervalued recruitsplayers other programs overlooked who develop into difference-makers. Coaches who've built winners at mid-major programs or in the Group of 5 often have this skill. Tosh has never demonstrated it.

A System That Elevates Roster Talent

The most successful resource-constrained programs run schemes designed to maximize their roster's strengths while hiding weaknesses. Think of what Jason Eck is doing at New Mexico. These coaches don't need five-stars to win; they need players who fit their system and coaching that develops them.

Ownership of Offensive Identity

We have a special quarterback in JKS. Tosh is a defensive coach who would need to hire an offensive coordinator and hand over that side of the ball entirely. Is he the right person to build an offense around JKS's development?

Better Alternatives Given the Above

Jason Eck, Tim Plough, Ryan Grubb, Desean Jackson (High Risk, High Reward)

---

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/tosh-lupoi-california-golden-bears-cal-football

From the most vocal never-Tosher there was

Ruthless about anything - no, a big no for me. "Zealous," "fastidiousness" about daily personal and professional habits combined with honest accountability toward winning - yes, a big requirement for me. If you aren't lying you aren't trying school of competitiveness is not necessary to succeed. If you look at Tosh's career it is riddled with ethical questions at every stop and transition. The Oregon game, leaving Cal days - just days - before signing day, at UW for illegal payments for tutors (outed by other coaches) and for what else who knows, the transition from UW to USC ( the USC compliance department rejected Sarkisian's effort to hire Tosh as a DL coach - USC's compliance department guys LOL). Are these life and death "crimes?" no of course not. But to me it feels like overcompensating for a lack of abilities in other key areas needed to be a quality coach, coordinator, head coach. Is it only his "ruthlessness" that drives this or does it reveal that this is his only trick in the bag?

I dont disagree with any of this ( well the knock on g5 feels written to exclude but that is quibble). But you may be missing that hiring good staff is a two way conversation. Great coodinators and position coaches will ask themselves " is tosh someone that will advance my career?" We just dont know and for every "just win baby" one can counter with "ego driven guy who wont share credit". That people are discounting that hc in football is a management position feels like oversight.

socaltownie said:

---

I dont disagree with any of this ( well the knock on g5 feels written to exclude but that is quibble). But you may be missing that hiring good staff is a two way conversation. Great coodinators and position coaches will ask themselves " is tosh someone that will advance my career?" We just dont know and for every "just win baby" one can counter with "ego driven guy who wont share credit". That people are discounting that hc in football is a management position feels like oversight.

---

Serious question - did working for Wilcox advance anyone's career?

I would have to go look. Feels like we lost a lot of guys over the years who got premotions to other p4...especially on defensive side of rock. Oc? Not so much. But this is not to be a defense of wilcox who needed to be dismissed...instead a lense to look at tosh and and the tosh or bust group

K1min8r said:

---

Well, guys, all this head-coaching search stuff appears to be just a formality before Tosh is announced.

I think it's a mistake.

The issue I'm not seeing discussed is how bad of a match Tosh is for Cal's situation.

Head Coaching Gap.

Tosh has never been a head coach at any level. The skills that make someone an elite recruiter and position coach don't automatically translate to managing an entire program. What makes anyone think an elite recruiter in the pre-NIL era, who used shady tactics and whose credit for great defenses is a bit shaky, makes a great head coach?

Ethical Issues.

I personally want a head coach who develops our young men into men of character. Wilcox didn't have the wins, but he did seem to have integrity and character.

There have been numerous issues with Tosh's past, including paying for tutoring, etc., which caused Washington to pay him $300K in a separation settlement to leave.

JKS wants a head coach with character and integrity. As do I.

Maybe he has changed. But I haven't seen anything to suggest he has.

Resource Mismatch Problem

This. Is. The. Biggest. Issue.

Cal receives only a partial share of ACC revenueroughly $25 million annually for the next nine years before receiving full shares. For context, schools like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami receive full shares plus massive NIL support from deep donor bases. Top SEC programs like Texas and LSU are spending $40+ million on athlete compensation. Some programs are pushing past $50 million.

Cal's matching program tops out at $6 million from campus resources for football, plus whatever donors contribute. Even at maximum capacity, Cal's football roster spending would likely fall well short of what Clemson, Miami, or even schools like SMU can offer.

Tosh's entire career has been spent in programs with deep resources:

• Alabama: One of the richest programs in CFB
• Oregon: Backed by Phil Knight's Nike wealth

Tosh has never had to build a winner in a resource-constrained environment. He has never had to identify overlooked talent, develop walk-ons into contributors, or scheme around roster limitations. His recruiting success has always been about convincing elite prospects to choose his program over other elite programsnot about finding diamonds in the rough.

What Cal Actually Needs

If we want to compete for 8+ wins in the ACC consistently, we need a coach whose profile looks very different from Tosh:

A Strong In-Game Coach, Not Just a Recruiter

In a league where most rivals will outspend us, the coaching staff needs to consistently out-scheme and out-prepare opponents. This requires a head coach who can maximize the talent on the rosternot one whose primary asset is getting talent to campus in the first place.

Experience Identifying Non-Obvious Talent

We won't win bidding wars for 5-stars. Maybe we get 1 or 2. But more generally, we need a coach with a track record of finding undervalued recruitsplayers other programs overlooked who develop into difference-makers. Coaches who've built winners at mid-major programs or in the Group of 5 often have this skill. Tosh has never demonstrated it.

A System That Elevates Roster Talent

The most successful resource-constrained programs run schemes designed to maximize their roster's strengths while hiding weaknesses. Think of what Jason Eck is doing at New Mexico. These coaches don't need five-stars to win; they need players who fit their system and coaching that develops them.

Ownership of Offensive Identity

We have a special quarterback in JKS. Tosh is a defensive coach who would need to hire an offensive coordinator and hand over that side of the ball entirely. Is he the right person to build an offense around JKS's development?

Better Alternatives Given the Above

Jason Eck, Tim Plough, Ryan Grubb, Desean Jackson (High Risk, High Reward)

---

I agree. I also think Tosh is not the right guy for our next head coach. I want an offensive guy who possesses the attributes you mention.

Bearbassics said:

---

socaltownie said:

---

I dont disagree with any of this ( well the knock on g5 feels written to exclude but that is quibble). But you may be missing that hiring good staff is a two way conversation. Great coodinators and position coaches will ask themselves " is tosh someone that will advance my career?" We just dont know and for every "just win baby" one can counter with "ego driven guy who wont share credit". That people are discounting that hc in football is a management position feels like oversight.

---

Serious question - did working for Wilcox advance anyone's career?

---

Yes, several assistants on the defensive side.

Golden One said:

---

K1min8r said:

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Well, guys, all this head-coaching search stuff appears to be just a formality before Tosh is announced.

I think it's a mistake.

The issue I'm not seeing discussed is how bad of a match Tosh is for Cal's situation.

Head Coaching Gap.

Tosh has never been a head coach at any level. The skills that make someone an elite recruiter and position coach don't automatically translate to managing an entire program. What makes anyone think an elite recruiter in the pre-NIL era, who used shady tactics and whose credit for great defenses is a bit shaky, makes a great head coach?

Ethical Issues.

I personally want a head coach who develops our young men into men of character. Wilcox didn't have the wins, but he did seem to have integrity and character.

There have been numerous issues with Tosh's past, including paying for tutoring, etc., which caused Washington to pay him $300K in a separation settlement to leave.

JKS wants a head coach with character and integrity. As do I.

Maybe he has changed. But I haven't seen anything to suggest he has.

Resource Mismatch Problem

This. Is. The. Biggest. Issue.

Cal receives only a partial share of ACC revenueroughly $25 million annually for the next nine years before receiving full shares. For context, schools like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami receive full shares plus massive NIL support from deep donor bases. Top SEC programs like Texas and LSU are spending $40+ million on athlete compensation. Some programs are pushing past $50 million.

Cal's matching program tops out at $6 million from campus resources for football, plus whatever donors contribute. Even at maximum capacity, Cal's football roster spending would likely fall well short of what Clemson, Miami, or even schools like SMU can offer.

Tosh's entire career has been spent in programs with deep resources:

• Alabama: One of the richest programs in CFB
• Oregon: Backed by Phil Knight's Nike wealth

Tosh has never had to build a winner in a resource-constrained environment. He has never had to identify overlooked talent, develop walk-ons into contributors, or scheme around roster limitations. His recruiting success has always been about convincing elite prospects to choose his program over other elite programsnot about finding diamonds in the rough.

What Cal Actually Needs

If we want to compete for 8+ wins in the ACC consistently, we need a coach whose profile looks very different from Tosh:

A Strong In-Game Coach, Not Just a Recruiter

In a league where most rivals will outspend us, the coaching staff needs to consistently out-scheme and out-prepare opponents. This requires a head coach who can maximize the talent on the rosternot one whose primary asset is getting talent to campus in the first place.

Experience Identifying Non-Obvious Talent

We won't win bidding wars for 5-stars. Maybe we get 1 or 2. But more generally, we need a coach with a track record of finding undervalued recruitsplayers other programs overlooked who develop into difference-makers. Coaches who've built winners at mid-major programs or in the Group of 5 often have this skill. Tosh has never demonstrated it.

A System That Elevates Roster Talent

The most successful resource-constrained programs run schemes designed to maximize their roster's strengths while hiding weaknesses. Think of what Jason Eck is doing at New Mexico. These coaches don't need five-stars to win; they need players who fit their system and coaching that develops them.

Ownership of Offensive Identity

We have a special quarterback in JKS. Tosh is a defensive coach who would need to hire an offensive coordinator and hand over that side of the ball entirely. Is he the right person to build an offense around JKS's development?

Better Alternatives Given the Above

Jason Eck, Tim Plough, Ryan Grubb, Desean Jackson (High Risk, High Reward)

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I agree. I also think Tosh is not the right guy for our next head coach. I want an offensive guy who possesses the attributes you mention.

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According to Steve Young -- and I paraphrase -- a guy from the defensive side can still succeed as HC, as long as he understands that the game has evolved to where no team can win without a good offense and, in particular, the QB needs to be put in a position to succeed. This may involve hiring a brilliant offensive coordinator and resisting the temptation to meddle. In short, the HC needs to know what he doesn't know and fill that gap with the right hires.

This is my biggest reservation about Tosh, but he may well have it covered. Perhaps we shall see.

A cardboard box would be 10 fold better than Wilcox.

The teams that win recruit well look around at all the top 10 teams in the country.

Tosh is possibly the best recruiter in the country.

Seems like a lot of Cal fans are afraid of success.

That's a you problem.

The Top University in the World deserves top football team and athletic teams and sports the world.

I'm ready for Cal to be the top school in every aspect of life.

I can't wait for the new era and ride to begin.

Go Bears!

GoCal80 said:

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BearGreg said:

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A lot of assumptions here:

• Tosh hasn't recruited well in the post NIL, portal world?
• Cal isn't going to be a well resourced football program going forward?
• Does Tosh not bring with him donors and does he not energize the donor base? Isn't that a primary reason for his being hired?

Here's the criteria as I see it:

Criteria:

You have to find someone who has the ruthless personality and obsession around winning. A leader whose north star every moment of every day is what can they do to improve the chances for the team to win. For Cal fans, Bruce Snyder and Jeff Tedford very obviously had this trait, Tom Holmoe and Justin Wilcox equally as demonstrably did not.

The need to win early and often means you likely need to lean into someone who is not the classic culture builder, rather an immediate culture changer. A bigger personality with a very clear vision about what defines the program. This becomes the litmus test for recruiting, hiring staff, etc. The shift in Culture has to be obvious, bold and aggressively implemented.

A coach who not only respects Cal's academic profile but embraces it as a leverage point in recruiting and fund raising. They have to get the importance of having high character staff and players in the program and understand and relishing this isn't a "we can admit anyone and the players can do all their classes online" program.

If the candidate is a sitting head coach, they must have 3+ years of proven success and a clear trend line of improvement. They need to be able to articulate what has made them successful and how that recipe applies to the unique circumstances in Berkeley. If they are moving up from FCS or the Group of 5, their recruiting plan has to be incredibly compelling and their plan/access to top tier assistants has to be manifest. Ideally, any G of 5 or FCS sitting head coach would have experience as a successful position coach/recruiter at the P4 level

if the candidate is a sitting P4 coordinator, it's critical they have the raw ambition and burning desire to be a Head Coach. Equally as important is their detailed blueprint of what they would do if they were a head coach at Cal. They're also going to need a 3+ year track record of their offense or defense being exceptional at the P4 level and a reputation as a top flight recruiter.

The next Head Coach has to have to have a robust network with high likelihood of hiring compelling assistants and a ready to roll recruiting plan for those coaches. The candidate need a detailed personnel plan, including players they can bring with them from their current gig, how they plan to retain critical talent at Cal, their approach to HS recruiting and to the portal. West Coast ties/experience is a bonus not mandatory.

Let me know if you disagree

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Character matters. I don't believe that someone who has shown a lack of an ethical rudder suddenly acquires one. This disqualifies Lupoi, in my opinion. Not only did Lupoi do something unethical, but he also did it to Cal!!!

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I have respectfully disagree with your assessment of someone who may have ethically shown themselves to make a bad choice(s) cannot have self reflection and change their ways or views on how they conduct themselves. As a retired peach officer Injave seen and read the reports of individuals commit awful crimes and redeem themselves. Tosh made some mistakes but is not highly regarded in the coaching world. What nester place then to do it at Cal and potentially give us a winner. I know a lot of men and women that are different people people at 40+ then thier were at 30+. Life experiences change a lot of things. Changing perception is important to for some.

The NCAA investigated the alleged paying for tutoring and found nothing. No penalties were leveled against UW or Tosh himself. Again, I ask for a concrete answer about his lack of ethics beyond recruiting to UW when he was still employed by CAL, which was yucky to be sure.

I do agree that he's a huge risk. He's one of those guys you want to see at a lower level having success before getting a P4 job.

I gotta say Tosh puts me in the same position as almost all the other coaches - I'll wait to see how games go before I head back to the stadium. The electricity DeSean brought to that stadium makes me want to see him Day 1 a la Coach Prime (with hopefully better results).

Why do people keep talking about Tosh's ethics. Tosh left Cal because he was selling Cal as a great academic University only to find out that Tedford was failing all his recruits academically as the scandal exploded in the Bay Area humiliating me and everyone else.. Put that together with the fiasco against Oregon where Tedford told him to take the blame. he as an intelligent man saw the writing on the wall and simply left. Traitor? What would you have done?

TonyTiger said:

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Why do people keep talking about Tosh's ethics. Tosh left Cal because he was selling Cal as a great academic University only to find out that Tedford was failing all his recruits academically as the scandal exploded in the Bay Area humiliating me and everyone else.. Put that together with the fiasco against Oregon where Tedford told him to take the blame. he as an intelligent man saw the writing on the wall and simply left. Traitor? What would you have done?

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Wait, weren't the failing students guys that Tosh recruited?

TonyTiger said:

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Why do people keep talking about Tosh's ethics. Tosh left Cal because he was selling Cal as a great academic University only to find out that Tedford was failing all his recruits academically as the scandal exploded in the Bay Area humiliating me and everyone else.. Put that together with the fiasco against Oregon where Tedford told him to take the blame. he as an intelligent man saw the writing on the wall and simply left. Traitor? What would you have done?

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No one faults Tosh for leaving for a better job or leaving Tedford's employ. He has had a very successful career.

The issue was that while still a Cal employee, and without informing Tedford, he accepted the UW job, he made Cal's last permitted recruiting visit to Shaq Thompson the week before LOI day to recruit him to UW. Wilcox, who had just hired Tosh, was able to follow up with an official UW visit, but Tedford could not, as Tosh had used "Cal's" last visit.

Tosh also reportedly told other recruits not to sign with Cal (even if not signing with UW) and we lost something like half our class that year.

Those are ethical issues. However, Wilcox was in the middle of it and most of the Tosh detractors were big Wilcox defenders for much of the 9 years so, whatever.

It is really the last consideration for me, except to the extent many fans and donors may not support him because of it.

m2bear said:

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A cardboard box would be 10 fold better than Wilcox.

The teams that win recruit well look around at all the top 10 teams in the country.

Tosh is possibly the best recruiter in the country.

Seems like a lot of Cal fans are afraid of success.

That's a you problem.

The Top University in the World deserves top football team and athletic teams and sports the world.

I'm ready for Cal to be the top school in every aspect of life.

I can't wait for the new era and ride to begin.

Go Bears!

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Afraid of success? I just don't believe that this leopard can change his spots. And this was not a garden variety error in judgment: he tried to torpedo his alma mater's main revenue-producing sport. He stabbed his mentor--the one who gave him his first job--in the back.

Go Bears!

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them." - Maya Angelou

See GA

GoCal80 said:

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"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them." - Maya Angelou

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Look at the stock market.

Did JT say it's ok to bring Tosh back ? Would that settle some nerves of some ?

TonyTiger said:

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Why do people keep talking about Tosh's ethics. Tosh left Cal because he was selling Cal as a great academic University only to find out that Tedford was failing all his recruits academically as the scandal exploded in the Bay Area humiliating me and everyone else.. Put that together with the fiasco against Oregon where Tedford told him to take the blame. he as an intelligent man saw the writing on the wall and simply left. Traitor? What would you have done?

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Leave and tell Tedford that I was. Before the last visit. Sometimes that's the nature of the world.

He didn't "simply leave" until after he had gotten his pounds of flesh.

going4roses said:

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Did JT say it's ok to bring Tosh back ? Would that settle some nerves of some ?

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I think it was as soon as we played UW in 2012 Tedford hugged him and told reporters he had no resentment towards him. Tedford said he had no issue with Mack Brown screwing us over either.

Or he just swallowed the resentment and it created heath problems for him?

I've been critical of Tosh's level of DC contribution, but there is something to be said that Tosh can likely raise the talent level of the team thru crootin. If he's hired then his success will be based around the OC/DC that he gets. I think it's safe to say Cal is significantly behind other programs in talent. You have to have that first before the OC/DC's ideas work. Tedford understood that. Jeff was able to win early and that set off a great ride of recruiting that Cal hasn't seen since the 1950s(Bruce also to a lesser extent). That made winning consistently after that first season much much easier. He should be able to boost Bay Area/Sacramento and Southern California recruiting that's been on life support for sometime imho. I'll say this, any reservations that people have about Tosh goes away once he starts winning. That's college football in a nutshell lol.

Tosh is a winner. He has fire. He will need to step up to the next level as a HC, but RR will be there to help. He loves Cal. He's ambitious. If RR thinks he's the guy, I'm all in. I'm backing RR's judgement on the character arguments (although personally I don't see a big concern there based off what I've read and heard.) Just win baby!

GoCal80 said:

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"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

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Or, as a great man once said,

'Fool me once, shame on... shame on you.' Fool me, you can't get fooled again".