Tosh Lupoi: Wiki| Recruiting| Wikipedia| Cal| Current job| Wife

Introduction

Tosh Lupoi is a prominent American football coach known for his defensive acumen, recruiting prowess, and a career that spans top college football programs and the NFL. From his days as a player at California Golden Bears (“Cal”) to coaching roles at power-house programs like Alabama Crimson Tide and currently as defensive coordinator at Oregon Ducks, Lupoi’s journey is a testament to ambition, controversy, redemption, and excellence. This article dives deep into his life — early years, playing career, coaching trajectory, recruiting achievements, current job status, and what we know of his personal life including his wife.

Early Life & Playing Career

• Tosh Lupoi was born on July 22, 1981, in Walnut Creek, California, a suburb of the San Francisco Bay Area.

• He attended De La Salle High School in Concord, California — a high school with one of the most storied prep-football programs.

• At De La Salle, Lupoi earned All-State honors and contributed to the program’s national-level success in high school football.

• He committed to Cal and played as a defensive lineman for the Golden Bears from 2000 to 2005 (his eligibility included a redshirt year).

• In 2003, despite playing with a broken thumb during his final four games, Lupoi led the defensive line in tackles — earning team recognition for toughness and resilience.

• Academically, as a senior in 2005, he received Pac-10 All-Academic honors while majoring in American Studies.

Thus, while not a superstar on the field, Lupoi’s collegiate career set a foundation of discipline, intelligence, and respect for both academics and athletics.

Coaching Career: From Cal to Oregon (and NFL stops in between)

Tosh Lupoi’s coaching journey is long and varied — marked with both high-profile successes and controversies.

California (2008–2011)

• In 2008, just three years after his playing career ended, Lupoi returned to Cal as the defensive line coach at age 26 — making him the youngest full-time coach in Cal history at the time.

• During his tenure, he earned a reputation as an elite recruiter, helping Cal land two top-tier recruiting classes and producing first-round NFL picks from its defensive line (e.g. Tyson Alualu and Cameron Jordan).

• Under his coaching, in 2011, Cal’s defense ranked first in the Pac-12 in total defense (allowing just 332.9 yards/game), was third in sacks, and gave up the fewest first downs and passing yards per game in conference play.

Controversy at Cal — “Fake Injury” Incident

• In 2010, during a game versus Oregon Ducks, Lupoi allegedly instructed defensive lineman Aaron Tipoti to fake an injury. The intention was reportedly to slow down Oregon’s fast-paced offense to allow for substitutions.

• The move drew sharp criticism for breaching sportsmanship ethics. As a result, Cal suspended Lupoi for the next game.

• Although the institutional penalty remained internal — with no widespread NCAA sanctions — it stained his reputation and prompted scrutiny.

• Eventually, after the 2011 season, Lupoi left Cal to pursue a position at Washington Huskies.

Washington (2012–2013)

• In January 2012, Lupoi was hired as the defensive line coach and defensive run-game coordinator at Washington.

• Under his guidance, Washington’s defense saw marked improvement: from a pre-Lupoi ranking of 106th in total defense, the Huskies rose up to 31st nationally in 2012. Scoring defense improved from 108th to 39th.

• His recruiting efforts also paid off: Washington landed its highest-rated recruiting class in over a decade for the 2013 cycle.

Alabama (2014–2018): Rise to National Prominence

• In 2014, Lupoi joined the staff of legendary coach Nick Saban at Alabama as a defensive analyst.

• He was promoted to outside linebackers coach in 2015, then added co-defensive coordinator duties in 2016, and finally became full defensive coordinator in 2018.

• During his time at Alabama, the Crimson Tide reached the College Football Playoff (CFP) every year, advanced to the National Championship game four times, and clinched two national titles (2015, 2017).

• His defenses were elite: in 2016 and 2017, Alabama led the nation in scoring defense (allowing just 13.0 and 11.9 points per game, respectively), and ranked among the top in total defense.

• Under his coaching, several players went on to become first-round NFL picks — including stars like Jonathan Allen, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Daron Payne, and Rashaan Evans.

NFL Experience: Browns, Falcons & Jaguars (2019–2021)

• In 2019, Lupoi transitioned to the NFL, becoming defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns under head coach Freddie Kitchens.

• In 2020, he served as defensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons under head coach Dan Quinn.

• In 2021, he became defensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars under head coach Urban Meyer.

• Over these three NFL seasons, the teams he coached compiled a combined record of 13–36.

Return to College — Oregon (2022–present)

• On January 10, 2022, Lupoi was hired by the Oregon Ducks as their defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under head coach Dan Lanning.

• The hire was widely regarded as a major move: Lanning praised Lupoi as “one of the very best defensive minds in the country,” citing his NFL experience and familiarity with West Coast college football.

• Since joining Oregon, Lupoi has helped build one of the nation’s top defensive units — blending the aggressiveness and structure he honed at Alabama with adaptability suited to modern offensive schemes.

• As of late 2025, Lupoi remains the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oregon. He has been mentioned among top candidates for a potential head-coach role at his alma mater Cal, given his California roots and connection to Golden Bears program.

Recruiting & Coaching Philosophy

One of the defining traits of Tosh Lupoi’s career is his prowess in recruiting.

• At Cal, he was instrumental in bringing in top defensive line talent — resulting in back-to-back first-round picks at defensive line (Alualu, Jordan).

• At Washington, his recruiting helped deliver the highest-rated signing class for the Huskies in a decade.

• Even during his NFL coaching years, his reputation as a talent developer remained intact — with players under his guidance showing improved technique, pass rush, and consistency.

• His defensive philosophy tends to emphasize fundamentals: gap discipline, aggressive pass rush, physical playing style, and adaptability. This philosophy matured further at Oregon, incorporating complex coverages and schemes tailored to counter modern spread offenses.

Because of this blend — strong recruiting + smart coaching + player development — Lupoi continues to be viewed as a top-tier defensive mind in college football.

Cal Connection & Current Speculations

• Lupoi’s connection to Cal runs deep: he was a player for the Golden Bears, later their youngest full-time coach, and remains a Bay Area native.

• As of 2025, with Cal reportedly evaluating new head-coaching candidates, media outlets have listed Lupoi among the top contenders. His blend of experience — college + NFL, success at top programs, recruiting ties to California — make him an attractive candidate.

• Still, as of the latest reports, he remains at Oregon, and no official confirmation has emerged of any move.

Should he ever return to Cal, it would mark a full-circle moment — from Golden Bear player to potential head coach.

Personal Life & Wife

• Tosh Lupoi is married to Jordan Pelluer.

• Beyond that, public sources provide little detail about his family life, as Lupoi keeps a relatively low media profile when it comes to his personal life.

• His life story — from Bay Area roots to the heights of college and professional coaching — reflects a commitment to football, education, and steady professional growth.

Why Tosh Lupoi Matters in 2025

• Elite defensive mind: Having built top defenses at Alabama and now Oregon, he represents the gold standard in defensive coaching.

• Recruiting & development: His history shows a consistent ability to identify, recruit and develop talent capable of advancing to the NFL.

• Bridge between college and NFL: With experience at both levels, he brings a perspective that few college coaches have — valuable for players aspiring to pro careers.

• Potential head-coach candidate: His strong ties to Cal, combined with his resume, make him a frequent name in head-coach speculation.

In short: Tosh Lupoi isn’t just a coordinator — he’s a program builder, a recruiter, and a developer of defensive excellence.

FAQs

Q: What is Tosh Lupoi’s current job?
A: As of 2025, Tosh Lupoi is the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oregon.

Q: Where did Tosh Lupoi play college football?
A: He played at the University of California, Berkeley (Cal), as a defensive lineman from 2000 to 2005.

Q: Has Lupoi ever coached in the NFL?
A: Yes — he coached in the NFL from 2019 to 2021, serving as defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Q: How many national championships has he won as a coach?
A: As a coach with Alabama, he was part of two national championship wins (2015, 2017).

Q: Is Tosh Lupoi married? Who is his wife?
A: Yes — his wife is Jordan Pelluer.

Q: Could he return to coach at Cal?
A: There is currently media speculation that Tosh Lupoi is among the top candidates if the head coaching job opens at Cal — given his history, Bay Area roots, and coaching credentials.