Cal Coach Lupoi Resists Some Advice from Rivera

Cal general manager Ron Rivera says head coach Tosh Lupoi has been receptive to some guidance but not to other portions of it.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football

Empty wooden sideline bench beside a green football field in a hillside stadium under overcast light, suggesting a quiet moment after a losing stretch. — Cal, now 3-6 and 2-4 in ACC play, lost 31-10 at NC State for its third straight defeat, and GM Ron Rivera said coach Tosh Lupoi has accepted some staff advice but not all of it. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Cal is 3-6 on the season and 2-4 against ACC opponents after a 31-10 road loss at NC State, its third straight defeat. The Golden Bears have lost five of their last six games.

Why it matters

The losing streak has been lopsided, with Cal outscored 131-37 across the three losses, raising questions about the direction of the program. Rivera's public comments put the coaching staff's internal discussions in view.

Cal sits at 2-3 in ACC league play, tied for ninth, after losing five of its last six games. Across the three-game skid, Cal was outscored 131-37, with losses to No. 21 Wake Forest and No. 23 SMU in that stretch.

The players

Ron Rivera

Ron Rivera is the general manager of the University of California, Berkeley football program and a veteran NFL head coach.

Tosh Lupoi

Tosh Lupoi is the head football coach at the University of California, Berkeley.

The details

Rivera said the staff has spoken with Lupoi and offered advice on the program's direction. He said Lupoi has been very receptive to some of it and has not been receptive to other portions.

November 5, 2026: Rivera's comments on Lupoi were published.

Season Trajectory

Cal's 2-3 mark leaves it tied for ninth in the ACC with two-thirds of league play still ahead. The three-game losing streak has pushed the Golden Bears toward the bottom half of a conference where several teams remain within striking distance.

Cal's ACC standing and remaining schedule will determine whether its season can recover, which matters for anyone tracking conference playoff positioning. Fantasy and betting interest in Cal's remaining games will depend on whether the offense and defense stabilize.

The takeaway

Losing streaks in conference play can quickly reshape a season, so Cal's next results against conference opponents will be the clearest signal of whether the team can recover its footing.