Ultimate Insider Podcast E123: Scott Fujita on Leadership Culture & Why It's Cal's Time

In today's episode, Cal Hall of Fame QB and color analyst Mike Pawlawski talks with former Cal and NFL LB Scott Fujita on leadership, culture and why this moment at Cal matters more than ever

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:

Every once in a while, you get the chance to sit down with someone who doesn’t just talk about leadership—but lives it.

Scott Fujita is one of those people.

Former NFL linebacker. Cal alum. Super Bowl champion. Documentary filmmaker. Educator. Head of School. And at his core, still very much a Golden Bear.

Every time I talk with Scott, I walk away sharper, more energized, and more hopeful about what’s possible—both in sports and in life. This conversation covered everything from football and family, to imposter syndrome, leadership under pressure, the pandemic, and why Cal football is standing at the edge of something meaningful.

Here’s our conversation, adapted for Bear Insider.

Mike:
Scott, you’ve worn a lot of hats since your NFL career ended. For Cal fans who may not know the full story—what have you been up to?

Scott:
It’s funny—you step away from football thinking you’ll take six months to figure things out, and about three days later my wife says, “Get out of the house and go do something.”

I jumped into TV early on when Fox Sports 1 launched. I was working alongside guys like Rondé Barber, Brian Urlacher, Randy Moss—first-ballot Hall of Famers—and I was the Berkeley guy talking labor relations and league discipline. It was an incredible experience, but it took me away from my family.

From there, I moved into documentary filmmaking with my friend Steve Gleason. That project premiered at Sundance, sold to Amazon, and became a deeply meaningful experience—especially for the ALS community.

But again, I found myself on the road. My kids were young. I wanted to be present.

That led me into education—first joining my kids’ school board, then unexpectedly stepping into the role of Head of School at All Saints Day School in Carmel.

Mike:

Linebacker to Head of School isn’t exactly a straight line. What was that transition like?

Scott:

Terrifying—if I’m being honest.

I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome my whole life. Being adopted. Growing up in diverse locker rooms. Always asking, “Do I belong here?” But nothing compared to the moment I stood in front of a faculty of professional educators and thought:

“You want… me… to lead this?”

I went home that day and told my wife, “I feel like a glorified cheerleader.”
She said, “Then be the best cheerleader they’ve ever had.”

That changed everything.

My job wasn’t to be the smartest person in the room—it was to empower the people who were.

Mike:

That mindset clearly worked. The school didn’t just survive—it thrived.

Scott:

We inherited a tough situation. Enrollment had dropped from over 220 students to about 140. The question wasn’t growth—it was survival.
We focused on culture first.

I talked about visual markers of success:
– A full gym during morning assembly
– Kids sprinting into school instead of dragging their backpacks
– Knowing every parent’s name at drop-off

That’s data too.

Then the pandemic hit. And suddenly, leadership meant making decisions with incomplete information—but full accountability.

Mike:

You ended up opening the school during COVID when others didn’t.

Scott:

We believed families wanted their kids in school. Period.

I studied the state guidelines, mapped out a plan on a whiteboard—X’s and O’s style—and even reached out directly to the Governor’s office to validate our interpretation.

When we opened, we were the only school in Monterey County operating in-person.

Teachers leaned in. Families responded. Enrollment surged—from 150 to over 260.

That experience changed me. It showed me what happens when people commit fully to a mission.

Mike:

Eventually, you stepped away from that role. Why?

Scott:

The school was stable. Financially healthy. Growing. That’s when leadership means knowing when to hand the keys back to educators and step aside. We had a strong succession plan, and I transitioned into a board role to support from a distance.

And suddenly… I had space.
Space to reconnect with football.

Mike:

And Cal keeps pulling you back.

Scott:

I didn’t realize how much I missed the game until I was back around it.
Being at Cal practices. Reconnecting with teammates. Talking ball with guys like Andre Carter. Seeing momentum building.

What struck me most?

Fresh eyes.

I didn’t carry the same scars or frustrations. I saw opportunity.
And when you have leadership alignment—from the Chancellor to the GM to the Head Coach—that matters.

Mike:

Let’s talk about that alignment—and specifically Tosh Lupoi.

Scott:

I couldn’t be more excited—or more proud.

Tosh has been preparing for this moment his entire life. I watched him closely at Oregon—how he prepares, how he teaches, how he leads men.

He’s intense. Authentic. Demanding. And deeply connected. This is his dream job. And he understands something critical: culture comes first.
The moment he landed, he met with players. Then he got on a plane to Hawaii to recruit—landing at midnight, flying back at 6 a.m.

That tells you everything.

Mike:

Cal fans have waited a long time for this kind of energy.

Scott:

This is not “TypiCal.”

That era is over.

This is a new chapter—one built on urgency, accountability, and belief.
People care about football at Berkeley. They always have. When Cal wins, Memorial Stadium fills. Excellence attracts excellence.

The opportunity is real.

Mike:

And it’s bigger than football.

Scott:

Exactly. Football can be an agent of uplift for the entire university.
I think about Cal’s history—my grandparents, Japanese-American internment, the 442nd Regiment, Berkeley being one of the only schools willing to take them back after the war.

This place changes lives.

Being part of Cal’s resurgence isn’t just about wins—it’s about purpose.

Mike:

Last thing—what keeps you grounded in all of this?

Scott:

Coaching.

I coach middle school girls flag football right now. Six weeks. That’s it.
We start every season by circling up and saying:

“I believe in you. I’ve got your back.”

Connection is the superpower.

Whether it’s a classroom, a locker room, or a football program—that’s where it all starts.

Final Thoughts

Scott Fujita is a reminder of what leadership really looks like—service, humility, courage, and connection.

Cal is at a moment where those traits matter more than ever. And for the first time in a long time…it feels like the momentum is real.

As always—
Go Bears.

Related:

Ultimate Insider Podcast E122: Pawlawski and Silver on Tosh Lupoi Hiring at Cal