Big shake-ups are hitting the Cal Bears football program, and it's got everyone talking! Imagine bringing in a trio of winning coaches straight from a powerhouse rival—could this be the spark Berkeley needs to ignite a championship run? We're about to explore how head coach Tosh Lupoi's latest moves might just redefine the Golden Bears' fortunes. But here's where it gets controversial: Is poaching talent from Oregon like this a savvy strategic play, or does it risk burning bridges in the competitive world of college football? Stay tuned as we uncover the details, because this is the part most people miss—the deep stories behind these rising stars.
On a sunny Saturday, Tosh Lupoi, the esteemed head coach of the Cal Bears (check out his profile at https://calbears.com/staff-directory/tosh-lupoi/5603), revealed the arrival of three talented assistants from the University of Oregon to bolster Berkeley's coaching roster. This dynamic group includes Connor Boyd, Darrion Daniels, and Steve Haunga, each stepping into pivotal roles that promise to elevate the team's performance.
Connor Boyd takes the helm as the safeties coach, focusing on the defensive backs who patrol the secondary and are crucial for stopping big plays—think of them as the last line of defense intercepting passes or tackling receivers deep in the field. Meanwhile, Darrion Daniels assumes the position of defensive line coach with a specialization in pass rush, teaching tackles and ends how to pressure quarterbacks effectively to disrupt offenses. And Steve Haunga will lead the tight ends unit while also coordinating the run game, strategizing plays that get the ball moving on the ground for consistent yardage.
These newcomers have been instrumental in Oregon's recent dominance, contributing to an impressive 47-7 overall record since 2022, including a 2024 Big Ten championship and two appearances in the College Football Playoff (2024 and 2025). The Ducks have dominated their conference, boasting the top-ranked offense twice in that span and a defense that's consistently ranked among the elite—finishing fourth or better in their final Pac-12 seasons and sixth or higher in their Big Ten debut years. For beginners diving into college football, this means Oregon wasn't just winning; they were outscoring opponents and shutting down rivals in high-stakes games.
Let's zoom in on Connor Boyd, who has been part of the Oregon family since 2022, serving as a defensive analyst under Lupoi this past season. Before that, he honed his skills as a graduate assistant at the University of Colorado in 2021 and as a volunteer defensive assistant at the University of Tennessee in 2020. At UT, his duties were wide-ranging: he supported the outside linebackers, compiled scouting reports, analyzed offensive plays, and even helped with the scout team that mimics opponents during practice. Earlier in his journey, Boyd spent two seasons (2018-19) as a graduate assistant at Jacksonville State University.
Boyd's academic credentials shine just as brightly—he graduated with a bachelor's in Physical Education from the University of Alabama in 2018, earning a spot on the Dean's List as a senior. He later obtained a Master's in Sports Management from Jacksonville State in 2020. During his undergraduate days at Alabama, he spent three years as a student assistant in the football office, where he aided offensive line coach Brent Key, documented assignments for linemen, dissected opponent videos for detailed scouting, and pitched in with on-field coaching and analyst tasks. Recruiting was another big part of his role; he edited prospect videos, planned travel schedules, and managed events like official visits and junior days. Interestingly, two of the recruiting classes he assisted with earned a No. 1 national ranking from 247sports.com (http://247sports.com/), showcasing his knack for spotting talent early.
Shifting gears to Darrion Daniels, who joins Cal after two seasons in Eugene as a defensive analyst, he brings a wealth of playing experience as a standout defensive lineman from his college days at Oklahoma State and Nebraska. As a player, he earned the honor of team captain for the Cornhuskers and received honorable-mention All-Big Ten recognition in his senior year in Lincoln. That season, Daniels racked up a personal-best 34 tackles, including four for loss, 1.5 sacks, and his first career interception.
His career highlights extend back to Oklahoma State, where in 2018 he contributed seven tackles, one for loss, and 1.0 sack across four games. As a junior in 2017, he started 10 contests, amassing 26 tackles, five tackles for loss, a half-sack, two pass breakups, and two quarterback hurries. Following that year, he was awarded the Vernon Grant Award for his exceptional leadership, spirit, and enthusiasm. In his sophomore year, Daniels played in 13 games, totaling 15 tackles, one for loss, one breakup, one hurry, and even a blocked extra point. As a true freshman in 2015, he was named Oklahoma State's most outstanding defensive newcomer after appearing in 13 games with 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a half-sack.
Daniels excelled even earlier, playing high school football at Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas, where he earned first-team all-state honors as both a junior and senior. Academically, he completed a degree in marketing from Oklahoma State in December 2018 and a master's in applied science from Nebraska in August 2022.
Now, for Steve Haunga, who arrives in Berkeley after four seasons (2022-25) as an offensive analyst for Oregon, his expertise has helped craft some of the nation's most potent offenses, including those led by current NFL quarterbacks Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel. Following a stellar 2022 campaign by Nix, the Ducks soared to the top in 2023, leading the country in passing yards per game (346.9) and ranking second in scoring offense (44.2 points per game), while never dipping below 30 points in any matchup.
Oregon kept the momentum going in 2024, clinching the Big Ten title and securing the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff with their explosive passing game. This year, they've maintained that edge, averaging 38.7 points per game and recently exploding for 51 points in a first-round CFP victory over James Madison. Standout tight end Kenyon Sadiq, honored as Big Ten Tight End of the Year, has hauled in 42 receptions for 509 yards and tops all tight ends nationally with eight touchdown catches. Meanwhile, Terrance Ferguson, a three-time all-conference performer, concluded his Oregon career in 2024 as the program's all-time leader in tight end receptions (134) and receiving touchdowns (16), while placing second in receiving yards (1,537).
Haunga's path to coaching success has been a steady climb over the past decade. He kicked off as a strength and conditioning intern at Boise State and Cal, then spent three years at Tulsa in evolving capacities: starting as a graduate assistant on the athletic performance staff in 2016, advancing to offensive graduate assistant in 2017, and offensive analyst in 2018. In 2019, he served as a graduate assistant for the offensive line at Auburn during Bo Nix's SEC Freshman of the Year season. After Auburn, Haunga worked two seasons (2020-21) as an offensive quality control coach at North Texas before reuniting with Lupoi at Oregon.
This move to Berkeley marks Haunga's debut as a full-time position coach, a significant milestone after years of building his resume. As a player, he earned two letters on the offensive line at Arkansas State, serving as team captain in his 2013 senior year. He also played two seasons at College of the Canyons before transferring to Arkansas State, where he earned a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies in 2014.
And this is the part most people miss: These hires could spark debates about loyalty and competition in college sports—does raiding a rival's staff foster innovation, or does it create unnecessary animosity? Some might argue it's just smart business in a cutthroat game, while others worry about the ethics of weakening a program you've just collaborated with. What do you think—will this trio propel Cal to Big Ten glory, or is it setting up for more rivalry drama? Do you agree that experience like this outweighs any potential backlash? Share your opinions in the comments below; we'd love to hear your take!
