TOSH LUPOI
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
Tosh Lupoi joined Dan Lanning’s first Oregon coaching staff as the Ducks’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on January 10, 2022. Prior to coming to Eugene, Lupoi spent three seasons as a defensive line coach in the NFL.
“We want to play championship-level defense on a consistent basis, and Coach Lupoi is one of the very best defensive minds in the country,” Lanning said at the time of the hiring. “I am looking forward to seeing him work with student-athletes again after spending the last few seasons in the NFL, experience that will be very valuable for our program. I had the opportunity to work first-hand with Coach Lupoi at Alabama, where his tireless work ethic and coaching acumen set him apart as one of the game's elite coaches while coordinating one of the top defenses in the nation. His familiarity with the West Coast and the Pac-12 also makes him a great fit here in Eugene. This is a very exciting hire for the Ducks.”
A native of Walnut Creek, Calif., Lupoi played defensive line at California before being hired to coach the position at the age of 26. He went on to coach in college at Washington before winning two national championships at Alabama. Lupoi spent one season as the defensive coordinator under Nick Saban and then coached NFL defensive lines for three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons and Jaguars.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2021)
Lupoi developed third-year defensive end Josh Allen during his time as the Jaguars defensive line coach. Allen led the team with 7.5 sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss. Lupoi also coached Dawuane Smoot to a career-year with 6.0 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss in his fourth NFL season.
Atlanta Falcons (2020)
Prior to coaching the Jaguars, Lupoi was the defensive line coach and run game coordinator in Atlanta. The Falcons allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards in the NFL (1,677) and tied for seventh-fewest first downs on the ground (97). Grady Jarrett led the defensive line with four sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Cleveland Browns (2019)
Lupoi helped develop Myles Garrett into a defensive force during his year in Cleveland. Garrett racked up 10.0 sacks and 11.0 TFL while playing in 10 games during the 2019 season. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi finished second on the team in both sacks (5.5) and TFL (11.0) while racking up 50 tackles.
Alabama (2014-18)
Before heading to the NFL, Lupoi spent five seasons at Alabama, helping the Crimson Tide reach the College Football Playoff every year and the CFP National Championship Game four times. The Tide won two national titles as Lupoi ascended to defensive coordinator. He coached outside linebackers throughout his time as an on-field coach.
Lupoi was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018 before helping Alabama reach its fourth straight national championship game. The Crimson Tide finished 12th nationally in scoring defense (17.8) and 16th in total defense (319.5). Quinnen Williams won the Outland Trophy as the best interior defensive lineman in college football. Williams and Dieonte Thompson were both named first-team All-Americans. Both All-Americans were selected in the 2019 NFL Draft with Williams going third overall to the New York Jets and Thompson chosen in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals.
Lupoi co-coordinated the defense in 2016 and 2017, helping Alabama win the 2017 national championship. The Crimson Tide led the nation in scoring defense (11.9), total defense (260.4) and rushing defense (94.7) while ranking second in pass efficiency defense (96.78). In 2016, Alabama led the country in scoring defense (13.0 ppg) and rushing defense (63.9), while ranking second in total defense (261.8) and ninth in pass efficiency defense (106.47).
The Tide returned several experienced veterans at outside linebacker in 2016, including seniors Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson. The duo turned in fantastic final campaigns, combining for 35.0 tackles for loss, 18 sacks and 22 quarterback hurries. Anderson earned first team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press and Williams was a second team AP All-American. Anderson finished with 61 total tackles, an interceptions return for a touchdown in the Peach Bowl and 10 hurries to go along with a team-best 19 tackles for loss, which is tied for the fifth most in school history, and nine sacks. Williams had 16 TFLs while finishing with nine sacks.
In Lupoi's first year with the outside linebackers in 2015, the Crimson Tide recorded 53 sacks, which ranked third nationally and was the second-most in school history. The outside linebackers notched 22.5 by themselves, led by Williams' 10.5. In 2014, the Crimson Tide finished the season with the No. 6 scoring defense in the country while Lupoi was a defensive analyst.
Washington (2012-13)
Prior to joining the Alabama staff, Lupoi served as the defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator at Washington in 2012 and 2013. The Huskies went 16-10 during his two seasons, making the 2012 Las Vegas Bowl and the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl.
The Huskies ranked fourth in the country in sacks per game (3.15) in 2013, led by Hau’oli Kikaha. The defensive end totaled 13.0 sacks and 15.5 TFL while ranking in the top-30 nationally in both categories and earn second-team All-Pac 12 honors. Washington tied third in the Pac-12 in yards-allowed-per-play with 4.98.
In 2012, Lupoi helped the Huskies take major strides on defense. Washington’s scoring defense ranked 108th in the country in 2011 and its total defense ranked 106th. The Huskies improved to 31st in total defense (357.4) and 39th in scoring defense (24.2). Lupoi also helped Washington land its highest-ranked recruiting class in a decade with the No. 18 class in the nation according to 247Sports.
California (2008-11)
Lupoi became the youngest full-time coach in California football history when he joined the staff in 2008 at 26-years-old. He proved to be a strong recruiter and talent developer for the Golden Bears, helping his alma mater bring in two highly-touted recruiting classes and producing two first-round NFL Draft picks on the defensive line.
The Golden Bears led the Pac-12 in total defense in 2011, allowing just 332.9 yards per game. They were third in sacks that year with 34 and gave up the fewest first downs per game (17.4) and fewest passing yards per game (204.2). California also ranked among the top 25 nationally in per-game averages for sacks, total defense and pass defense. Lupoi also helped the Bears sign the No. 11 class in the nation according to Rivals.
In 2010, Lupoi helped turn Cam Jordan into a force at defensive end en route to a first-team All-Pac 10 selection. Jordan made 5.5 sacks and recorded 12.5 TFL before the New Orleans Saints selected him in the first round of the NFL Draft. Cal led the league in total defense (319.1) and finished third in scoring defense (22.1). Lupoi was named the 2010 Rivals Recruiter of the Year while helping the Bears reel in the nation’s 14th-best recruiting class.
Lupoi coached Tyson Alualu to first-team All-Pac 10 honors in 2009 and second-team all-league recognition in 2008. The Bears ranked second in the Pac-10 in rushing defense in 2009 (112.0) and third in 2008 (122.2). Cal also finished the 2008 season with the second-best scoring defense in the Pac-10. The Bears allowed 19.9 points per game, which also ranked 23rd nationally.
Playing Career and Personal
As a player, Lupoi was a defensive lineman for the California Golden Bears from 2000-05. He led the Bears' defensive line in tackles in 2003 and earned Pac-10 All-Academic recognition in 2005. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in American studies in 2005 and completed coursework toward a master's in education.
Lupoi played high school football at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., one of the most successful programs in the history of prep football, where he earned All-State honors and won a national title. His father, John Lupoi, played collegiate football at Brigham Young and was later a part-time assistant coach at California. He is married to the former Jordan Pelluer.