Cal Takes the Stage on ACC Media Day in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Cal contingent took the stage today, with Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi, cornerback Ricky Fletcher‍, running back Adam Mohammed‍ and quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele‍ fielding questions from national media.

Cal’s head man kicked off the session with an opening statement before fielding questions.

“Good afternoon,” Lupoi started. “What an awesome day. Cool to be a part of it. Here with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Adam Mohammed, Ricky Fletcher, representing the number one public institution in the country and the flagship university of the UC system.

“We're fired up to be here, not just representing Cal Berkeley, but an awesome conference that we're fortunate to be a part of, extremely successful. And especially of recent times, really excited to see where TV viewership, having three College Football Playoff representatives in the last two seasons, and the direction of this conference.

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Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi

“Extremely fortunate to be a part of that and once again to be representing such a special place of Cal Berkeley, right down the road (said in jest), and a place as we get to represent the Atlantic Coast Conference, as you look out our facility windows, you see the Pacific Ocean. Think about that. Pretty cool. That's unique. 

“That's really unique, but so is Cal. I think that's what makes this really cool, a place that truly represents and embodies academic excellence and athletics. No secret to a storied NFL tradition that we bring to the table. Been fortunate to be part of both as a player in my undergrad and master's program, coaching there for over a decade, then to go off, be able to come back to my alma mater, truly special to represent such a high-caliber, high-class place.

“Even the history of it, of all the No. 1 overall picks, teammates, the success, storied tradition of Marshawn Lynch, DeSean Jackson, Jared Goff, Aaron Rodgers. A young man that I was fortunate to coach, playing in his 16th year and will be a Hall of Famer, Cameron Jordan. One of the best all-time players out of this state of North Carolina, anybody know who that is? Elite Cal Bear, Keenan Allen.

“Then to be storied right now, to be one of three teams in college football that's had 10-plus DBs selected in the NFL Draft since 2020. To have that unique blend of an NFL tradition, high-caliber football program, but to represent the academic excellence that this place represents, we're all very fortunate to be a part of that.

“I think what really makes this unique and special, we're at a place where it's the sixth highest media market in all of the U.S., right there in the San Francisco Bay Area. As much as it hurt me when the Oakland Raiders left, I think at that time the Oakland A's, the Golden State Warriors across the bridge, but now we're in a really cool situation, where it's the only show in town in a major media market across the bridge there. Something that's cool to represent.

“To be right there in truly the epicenter of start-up companies, 44 Fortune 500 companies right outside our facility walls, these guys and myself get such a unique experience as we try to deliver from an extremely high-caliber athletic performance, but to be around the likes of all these Cal grads that are the founders of Levi's jeans, Dreyer's ice cream, OluKai, Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy. Guys got any more? Who did you meet these last six months? DoorDash. That list goes on and on.

“As we attempt to build our culture going into this fall, we're really pumped to be a part of this, thankful to be part of such an awesome conference as we do that.

“If you got any questions for me, I would love to answer 'em. If not, I'll hand over to three elite human beings.”

After the Bears were led for the past nine seasons by former head coach Justin Wilcox, Lupoi returned to Cal after his time as a player and coach to run the program and establish his own brand of culture.

“Well, I think it's important, we started in celebration of Dr. King's birthday January 19th. We had a cultural meeting, then declared what we want to be.

“Ultimately whatever that is, I think in any organization, whatever words you put, T-shirts you want to put up or posters, we're ultimately going to be the culture that we live every day. It's going to be our daily transactions of how we approach, how we work, how we prepare. That was the goal early on. Now we're in month six as an organization, a new staff, new chapter, the new era of Cal football.

“Obviously, the results of the season, I truly believe those are going to be dictated by our daily transactions. That's ultimately what culture is. It's not about being clever, cliché, it's about living out what we want to represent every day. That's what we're in attempts to do.

“I'm extremely proud of where we're at today, evaluating the hunger of our team and the challenges that these guys have accepted and attacked, both as a staff, I'm very fortunate to be part of a great staff, and being able to serve and impact young men like these three awesome individuals that are on this stage.”

With the landscape of college football at this point in time, marketing the program on a national level and raising the program’s profile is of particular importance.

“I think in this new landscape of college football, it is what it is,” Lupoi said. “It's extremely necessary. I think Cal has displayed an elite job of exactly that. We're the first and only team to my knowledge in the ACC to sign a corporate sponsorship of its kind with Dialpad. We'll be featuring a jersey patch. To my knowledge there's only a handful of programs that have done that. Some of those programs are the best and most successful in all of college football.

“I think that displays the direction and the desire of where we're headed and the commitment from the university. That was a major appeal for me from day one two years ago when Chancellor Lyons was hired upon Cal, then another North Carolina great, Ron Rivera as the GM a year ago. To have this alignment and to tap into these incredible Cal connections and to be able to bring our cup of water to the ACC and represent such an awesome conference, that's our goal, what we're attempting to do.

Lupoi’s coaching history has included working with one of the most successful college coaches in history, playing for national championships and working in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars. The head coach was asked what he’s taken from those experiences.

“As a young coach, going back to the starting days when I was at Cal, both as a player and coaching there, Cal was a perennial power, a top five program in the country, winning the conference, winning 10 games. To be a part of that, moving on and learning with some of those great leaders that you mentioned. I think we form our identity on the way.

“This is my 20th year now in this profession, in coaching. I certainly don't have all the answers. But it's so amazing to be able to wake up in a profession to know that you can individually improve every day, demand that amongst your staff, your players, and be a part of something together.

“With all those great leaders you mentioned, it's a constant approach to self-improvement. Obviously in these leadership roles that I've been super fortunate to have, is to do that better than it's ever been done before.”

For the first time in Cal football history, the program is fully-aligned with and supported by a Chancellor in Rich Lyons as well as being led by a general manager in former Cal and Chicago Bear and NFL head coach Ron Rivera. Lupoi was asked how that has paid dividends for the program.

“I think we mentioned one of them just now with having a multi-million dollar corporate sponsorship that we're excited to represent, to tap into some of our many incredibly successful Cal grads. That certainly personifies that relationship.

“Just where we're at from an overall perspective, excitement of the program, we just had a season ticket meeting to learn where we're at of having the highest sales in over a decade, the NIL allotment from these sponsorships and the participation and overall excitement in the program.

“I think we all collaboratively approach that, attack that on a weekly basis. It's been really cool to be a part of that excitement.”

When Lupoi was introduced in December as head coach, he noted that he always had the idea of returning to Cal and leading the program in the back of his mind. After seven months, how has he seen it play out?

“Certainly pleased but absolutely not satisfied,” Lupoi said. “We came here I think with a combination of a lot of these great players that we've been fortunate to sign, the staff and myself, to compete at the highest level.

“I wholeheartedly believe it's a place that can afford that opportunity. That's every day we wake up what we're attempting to do.

“The goal is to win every opportunity, every moment. From the first opportunity of being in a situation, you can imagine a young man that's on this stage right now, the quarterback before him, after having three great years at the University of Cal Berkeley, but to move on and win a Heisman Trophy and potentially at that time winning a national title, this day and age landscape with agents involved, how difficult that must have been of a time of what the next step is. Extremely fortunate for Jaron to have the belief in our direction moving forward and the people that potentially at that time were going to be a part of it.

“That was an opportunity for us to win, right? Then from there, as you just mentioned, an opportunity to make a statement from a portal, talent acquisition standpoint. All of a sudden Cal Berkeley signs a top 15 class nationally. I think we're one of the top two classes in this conference. That was an opportunity for us to win.

“That moment closes, coinciding with that, our quest to the fundamentals and techniques, schematics, three phases of our game, the introduction of the new staff, bringing in the Chicago Bears nutritionist, Tennessee Titans strength staff, highlighting some of the things where we can improve.

“As you mentioned, going into the high school ranks now, being in a top 20 class in that position. These are all moments right now that are in our control to compete at the highest level.

“I'll return back to California, and the quest will be winning Monday morning of how we lift, how we run, how we attack our nutrition, and continue our increase of a team GPA. The program at Cal has long had a strong Polynesian influence and that’s only growing today with the expansion of the coaching staff and a significant number of new Polynesian players joining the program this season.

“Before I was in the NFL, I was coaching college ball for a while. Well before that, established some really strong connections and respect overall. The area I grew up in, the Bay Area, has an extremely strong Polynesian population and connection. A lot of those relationships extending in or coming from the islands.

“I was fortunate to coach a young man who was the 10th overall NFL draft pick from Cal Berkeley, Tyson Alualu,” Lupoi noted. “Those relationships, some of these amazing business names that I mentioned earlier, founders, same connections that are from or live on that island.

“Cal has had a historically strong connection with the islands. That will certainly continue. As a young man like Jaron continues to have his success and will be on football, the magnitude of this degree, what that is going to do for Jaron for the rest of his life, that means a lot.

“The respect of education within the Polynesian culture, it's something that aligns very strong with ours. I think it's the only place in the country with a 92% graduation rate of Polynesians. It's something we're going to continue to celebrate and have mentors in the community like Jaron.”

Cornerback Ricky Fletcher was up next. The transfer CB was asked about fellow SEC tranfer cornerback Daniel Harris after they transferred from Ole Miss and Georgia respectively through the portal.

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Cal cornerback Ricky Fletcher

“Daniel Harris brings a lot of things to our defense,” Fletcher said. “He’s very versatile, long guy, can run well. He brings a lot of things to our defense, for sure.

It was a big move coming from Mississippi to the Bay Area. The senior corner was asked how the process has gone so far.

“My transition to Cal was really smooth. Everybody down here is just welcoming. The coaching staff has got a lot of high energy. The transition was smooth.

“I feel like with our staff, having a lot of guys that's coached big-time football, knowing the knowledge they have, it was easy for me to get acclimated and be comfortable within the coaching staff.”

Fletcher was asked if he’s noted the growing excitement in the Cal fan base, on campus and off.

“The energy is different,” Fletcher said. “Our fans are just out the roof. They support us to an all-time high. I mean, it's just different. They’re always around. They always supporting us. They’re always coming in to talk to us. It's different.”

Cornerbacks are on an island trying to cover an array of talented receivers. Fleter was asked about his thought process being in that critical position on defense.

“I would say the biggest challenge that receivers present to me is just playing the reaction game, knowing that we play defensive back and defense. Everything we do is reactionary. Just being able to get in the film room and break down their tendencies, what they like to do, is going to be a big thing for us.”

Fletcher was well aware coming in of Cal’s extensive success in producing NFL defensive backs in the last decade plus.

“Playing behind a defensive back pedigree in Cal is a big thing. That's one of the main reasons I came here, is to be part of a tradition is elite.

“Going against Jaron every week is making me so much more better. Seeing how he commands the offense, make every throw, not get shaken on everything, it's making me so much better as a player.”

Fletcher was a part of a particularly disruptive coaching change last season, with head coach Lane Kiffin making a move to LSU and a reshuffling of the coaching staff late in the season.

“I got through that adversity just by being where my feet were, wherever we were in the season. Being present in the present moment. You can't really worry about things that's not really in your control. Just being in that moment, within that moment.”

Running back Adam Mohammed transferred to Cal from Washington through the portal, despite the Huskies desperate attempts to hold onto the talented young running back. One of the alures of playing at Cal came from their history of putting elite running backs in the NFL.

“Just seeing the history with the running backs over here, that played a huge part into coming here,” Mohammed said. “I've met Marshawn Lynch, Jahvid Best. Just talking to those guys, knowing the culture they had over here, just wanting to continue it over here, that's what I'm trying to continue.”

Head coach Tosh Lupoi’s recruiting efforts also resonated with the new Cal running back and his family.

“He actually flew from Miami after the Texas Tech game,” Mohammed said. “We sat in the office for like two hours talking about ball, life. Just knowing my mom was comfortable. Whatever Mom says. If she's comfortable, I'm comfortable. It was just the overall better fit for me.

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Cal running back Adam Mohammed

Lupoi talks about the need to play fast and physical. Is that what Mohammed has seen so far in practice at Cal?

“I feel like, that's what we preach over there,” Mohammed said. “Our core value is relentless effort, ball excellence and power of unit. I mean, we're going to dominate our box for six seconds, protect and score the ball. We're going to be tight together.”

Over half the roster is new this season, from a talented portal transfer class to a new crop of high school players, most of who enrolled early to get a running start in the collegiate careers. How has that gone so far?

“I feel like, from the very first day, it was really just getting to know everyone's name,” Mohammed said. “After that, I feel like I've been here for, like, years. I feel like being with the guys, it just feels like I've known them for a whole long time. It just wasn't that big of a difference transferring, getting to know the guys.

“We all go over to each other's houses and chill. We just kick it. It was not that hard.”

Soph QB Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele‍ was in the unusual position last season of not only starting as a true frosh QB from the first snap of the season but also representing the program on a national stage at last year’s ACC Football Media Day. How has his perspective changed?

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Cal quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele

“It's changed a tremendous amount,” Sagapolutele said. “Same thing is the same thing. Just continue to keep the main things the main things, continue to build this culture. Just continue to get in with these guys, the continuous reps to be ready for the season. I'm just so excited to head into this new season with a bunch of great guys.”

The soph QB was asked about working with GM Ron Rivera and what it’s like playing a truly national conference, with many programs being on the East Coast.

“Coach Ron Rivera has been tremendous, especially to our program,” the QB said. “Being able to talk one on one with him pretty much on the weekly has been great. What he's helped me do, just making me feel comfortable in everything I do, he's been a tremendous help for me. Not just for me, but for the program.

“Playing on the east coast, I really find it exciting. Being able to travel to new places, just see new stadiums and new fan bases, just being able to take on a challenge is always fun for me.

“While also keeping that Stanford rivalry is fun. They're a great program as well. Very well-respected. I'm just excited for this new season, this new challenge ahead.”

Sagapolutele is relishing the opportunity to play with a talented crop of portal transfer receivers with Ian Strong, Chase Hendricks and Cooper Perry.

‘Those three, super talented guys,” the QB said. “Their talent jumps off the roof. You see it right away.

“I'm just blessed to be able to throw to those guys, all the guys that we've brought in, the guys that we've kept.

“We have so much talent in our receiving room, tight end room, O-line is where it starts. We have talent all over, yeah.”

Sagapolutele’s first meeting with his new head coach has become a bit of a legendary story, with Lupoi heading straight to the airport to catch a last-minute flight to Hawaii to personally meet his new QB and introduce himself to the family and also help to prevent the talente QB from going into the portal, where he’d have a wide array of high-level suitors.

“It caught me by surprise,” the QB said with a smile. “I was back home watching my alma mater in the state championship. It's around 9:00, I get a call from my mom that he's flying in, should land about 12 (midnight). He gets in about 1:30. We talk all the way till about 4:30 in the morning.

“It was a great talk. It just felt right. I knew this is where I wanted to be. Has a culture about winning, that's what I want to do as well. The culture he's brought has been tremendous. Relentless head coach that wants nothing but the best for the program, for the players.

“Being able to just continue to meet with him weekly, just continue to talk ball, life, has just been great for me. Mental health, everything. It's just been so great and tremendous, for sure.

To have the opportunity to start out the gate as a true freshman in a critical leadership position at quarterback showed a lot of trust from his prior staff and that belief and support has continued at a high level with the new staff.

“Yeah, I mean, it's tremendous,” Sagapolutele said. “I'm just so grateful that I have people that believe in me. Especially this new staff now that has been full on, not just me but all the players we brought and the guys we have in the building.

“We've been working relentlessly this whole off-season getting ready for our first game, September 5th. We're excited to show what we can do on the field. We're just going to continue to keep working the rest of the summer into fall camp, as we get into the first game.”

Stay tuned for more one-one-one interviews from today’s media availability.