Cal Football

Ultimate Insider E109: Nick Rolovich On The Evolution of Cal’s Offense

By Mike Pawlawski

August 26, 2025

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In today's episode, Cal Hall of Fame QB and color analyst Mike Pawlawski talks with Cal offensive assistant Nick Rolovich.

You can hear the audio podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or on most podcast streaming services. You can also view the podcast on the video below:

A Quarterback’s Welcome

When you sit down with Nick Rolovich, you get the sense right away that he’s both a coach and a storyteller. He’s been a head coach, a quarterback, a mentor, and now one of Cal’s offensive assistants. But before the Xs and Os, Rolovich wanted to talk about something else—the history of Cal Football.

“It’s great to be here,” he told me at the top of our Ultimate Insider conversation. “But I’d like to continue to learn more about the history of Cal football, because I think it’s a big part of working at a place—understanding the history.”

That statement sums up Rolovich’s approach: respect the past, build the future. And as we dove into his transition, the new offensive system, and the development of key players, a picture emerged of a program that’s evolving—without losing its soul.

From Head Coach to Assistant: A Humbling Shift

Rolovich has been “the head guy” before, at Hawai’i and Washington State. Stepping back into an assistant role could be jarring for some. But for him, it has created a deep sense of appreciation.

“I think I’ve only gained more love and respect for Coach Wilcox,” he said. “He’s got a humility and a lack of ego that’s rare for people in his seat. He makes it easy to work for him.”

That humility flows both ways. As a former head coach, Rolovich brings an ownership mentality to the staff. He’s candid, willing to offer opinions, and eager to be a secondary voice—especially for the quarterbacks. But the deeper layer is personal. “This comes off a tough time in my life,” he admitted. “Getting this opportunity at home is really pretty special.”

Cal’s Unique Football Culture

Culture may be the most overused word in sports. At Cal, it’s real. Rolovich has coached at plenty of places, but the mentality in Berkeley stands out.

“There’s a high percentage of guys who want to succeed, who want to do things right,” he said. “I’m not saying they’re angels, but I haven’t been chasing around knuckleheads or dealing with missed lifts. It’s probably the highest percentage of guys I’ve been around who just want to do it right.”

As a Cal alum myself, I can attest. When I stepped into pro locker rooms, I realized not every team had the mindset that defined our Cal squad. Rolo sees that same thing. And when recruits and their parents come to campus, they see it too.

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future,” Rolovich said. “When parents bring their kids here, they see who their sons will be spending time with, and it’s attractive.”

Adapting to a New Offensive System

Rolovich grew up in the Run-and-Shoot, played it, coached it, lived it. But under new offensive coordinator Bran Harsin, Cal’s system is different—and that excites him.

“It’s fascinating,” Rolo explained. “The multiplicity, the unpredictability—you don’t get a lot of tells. Formation, motion, snap count, it changes so quickly. Sometimes I look at it and think, ‘I could have been doing so much more as a head coach.’”

For Cal fans, that means a more diverse, deceptive offense. It also means better prep for the defense. “I don’t know if they’ll see a whole lot this season they didn’t already see in spring and fall camp from us.”

Spotlight on the Quarterback: Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele‍

The quarterback room is where Rolo comes alive. And this year, the focus is on true freshman Jaron Sagapolutele, officially named the starter.

Rolo’s connection with him runs deeper than football. Having played and coached in the Hawai’ian islands, Rolovich understands Sagapolutele’s background. He even has ties to people the QB considers family. “Not that he’s done this, but he knows I can get to people who can set him straight if he gets out of line,” he said with a grin.

On the field, Sagapolutele flashes what Rolovich calls “elite arm talent.” His ability to see and anticipate deep throws has impressed. “There are throws where I think, ‘I’d have never seen that guy opening up,’” Rolo admitted.

But talent can also lead to what he and backup quarterback Dom Ingrassia call “accuracy arrogance”—the belief that you can make every throw. Sagapolutele is learning when to unleash that talent, and when to play within the system.

As I told him on the show, his innate accuracy is rare. Combine that with off-platform ability, and you’ve got a quarterback with the tools to be special. The challenge now: refining his footwork, consistency, and presence at the position.

Building a Strong Offensive Line

None of it works without the big boys up front. Rolo and new O-line coach Famika Anae have been stressing toughness, intelligence, and communication.

“There seems like improvement in that room,” Rolo said. “We’ll have a level of toughness, but also intelligence. Famika’s balance of honesty and football smarts is showing.”

The tackles stand out physically, and they’ll need it to face the edge rushers that dominate modern defenses. But what excites Rolovich most is the recognition within the program that success starts with them. “When we score, it’s not just about the QB or receiver. It starts with the O-line, and Coach Harsin makes sure that’s pointed out consistently.”

Running Backs: A Blend of Power and Speed

Cal’s running back room is almost entirely new, but Rolo likes what he sees.

Brandon High – “A bigger back with real speed. He’ll run through tackles but has deceiving breakaway ability.”

Kendrick Raphael & LJ Johnson – Similar in style, tough to bring down, physical runners who punish defenders.

“They know Coach Harsin wants to run the ball,” Rolovich said. “And that’s good. The running game is a big part of the deal.”

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: Depth and Leadership

The receiver room is deep, diverse, and full of stories according to Rolo.

Jeff Johnson TE – “The ultimate team guy. Consistent, reliable, and the kind of human being everyone remembers 20 years from now in a positive way.”

Jacob de Jesus Slot – “Full speed until he can’t go anymore. Football means everything to him.”

Trond Grizzell WR – Veteran presence, smart, with recall that helps guide younger players and even coaches through situations.

Jordan King Swiss Army Knife– “Reliable like a quarterback’s blankie. Versatile, trustworthy, and unselfish.”

Trevor Rogers WR– Long speed, physical growth, capable of big catches downfield.

Add in new faces like Mason Minney TE and Mark Hamper Utility, plus speedsters like Quaron Adams WR and Daz James WR, and Rolo sees a group that can create constant mismatches.

“One of the beautiful things about Coach Harsin’s system,” he said, “is that if a guy can do one thing really well, he’ll find a way to get him in the game.”

Thinking Globally: Football IQ Across the Field

Rolovich pushes receivers to think like quarterbacks. “You have to be like backup QBs,” he tells them. “Know when you’re getting the ball, but also when you’re not. And your desire to be great has to equal in both situations.”

That global understanding speeds up the learning curve and keeps everyone engaged. “It also makes them better coaches someday,” Rolo added. “They won’t just say ‘catch the ball.’ They’ll understand protections, pressures, and concepts.”

Facing a Strong Defense Every Day

They say “iron sharpens iron”- Cal’s defense is definitely a grindstone. Rolovich has coached against Justin Wilcox’s units before, and now he sees them daily.

“There are very few mistakes. You have to earn everything,” he said. Seniors act like assistant coaches, passing lessons down to freshmen. The result is consistency and growth.

Then there are the playmakers. He singled out LB Cade Uluave as “unbelievable” in practice—explosive, twitchy, and in control. “He could really hurt us if he wasn’t in control of his mindset,” Rolo noted, before praising his football IQ and love for the game.

The Season Ahead

Asked about where Cal stands as the season opens, Rolovich pointed to a philosophy of presence. “We kind of stay in the now,” he said. “Coach Wilcox has done a nice job of keeping us centered. There’s a love for each other too, and that gives you a chance.”

That love and discipline will be tested right away. Oregon State looms as a familiar foe with a culture of toughness, and other ACC conference foes won’t give Cal an inch. But for Rolovich, the focus is inward.

“We have to play our game. We can’t think too much about how other people are feeling or what they’re doing.”

Why It Matters

At its heart, this conversation wasn’t just about football strategy. It was about identity. Rolovich is intentional about blending the past and present—honoring Cal legends, telling stories to young quarterbacks, and building bonds that extend beyond the playbook.

When he and I laughed about our Arena League days, it underscored the theme: football is a fraternity, and Cal’s chapter is thriving.

For fans, that means an offense with new wrinkles, a quarterback with elite tools, and a program built on culture as much as schemes. For players, it means accountability, relationships, and the daily grind of improvement.

Conclusion: The Evolution of Cal’s Offense

The Bears’ offense is evolving under Brian Harsin and Nick Rolovich. The system is unpredictable, the talent pool is growing, and the mindset is uniquely Cal.

I, for one, am fascinated and intrigued to see what they look like as they face opposing defenses.

As Rolo put it, “There’s a love for each other, and that gives you a chance.”

For Cal Football, the time needs to be now.

Go Bears!

Chapters

">00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Cal Football

02:52 Transitioning Roles: From Head Coach to Assistant

06:06 The Unique Culture of Cal Football

08:48 Adapting to a New Offensive System

12:01 Spotlight on the New Quarterback

14:57 Building a Strong Offensive Line

18:01 Evaluating the Running Backs