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Tosh Lupoi's bold vision helped keep Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele
New Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi. Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tosh Lupoi's bold vision for Cal football helped keep QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

By Andrew Kulha  |  Last updated May 13, 2026 9:29 PM ET
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Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele could have gone anywhere in the country after a stellar freshman season with the Cal Golden Bears.

Schools were reaching out to get him to transfer, and he could have made a ton of money via NIL deals in the process. Not only that, but he had just watched the quarterback he replaced at Cal, Fernando Mendoza, transfer to Indiana and win the national championship and Heisman Trophy.

It would have made a ton of sense for Sagapolutele to hit the road, especially with a coaching change happening in Berkeley.

Except he didn't, and a big reason behind his decision to stay was new Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi, who sold him on the vision for the Golden Bears moving forward.

Lupoi got the job at Cal less than a month before the transfer portal opened. One of his first orders of business was flying to Hawaii to spend time with the quarterback he was hoping would stick with the program.

They talked, and Lupoi pitched him on the future.

“At that time, it was really good getting to know what his philosophies are, what he wants to do,” Sagapolutele said in a profile by Antonio Morales in The Athletic, highlighting his decision to stay at Cal. “Which is just win, which meant the world to me because that’s what I want to do as well.”

Tosh Lupoi and Cal Bears got a huge win holding onto Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

Ultimately, Lupoi was able to get the quarterback to commit to another year at Cal, which was a huge moment early into his tenure as the new head coach.

He'll now have to keep Sagapolutele, because NIL opportunities or the transfer portal aren't going anywhere. 

With that said, Lupoi believes in what he can build at Cal. He believes the Golden Bears can become a program that develops and keeps star players like Sagapolutele, and the quarterback's decision to stay is proof of that concept.

“That was one more great statement,” Lupoi said. “We’re not going to be a feeder school here. We’re going to be a developmental school and start changing things here. I think Jaron made a huge statement for us by reaffirming his commitment to Cal Berkeley.”

Sagapolutele threw for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions as a freshman. 

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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