Cal finally put an end to months of speculation by releasing the full details of head coach Tosh Lupoi’s employment agreement on Friday. More than 10 months after introducing Lupoi as the Bears’ new head coach, the university shared the 26-page document, which was officially signed by Lupoi, general manager Ron Rivera, and UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons on October 1. The release follows a public records request submitted by The Chronicle on January 23, marking a significant step in transparency for the program’s new leadership era.
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The five-year contract guarantees Lupoi a minimum of $22.1 million, structured around a modest $275,000 annual base salary and a substantial “annual guaranteed talent fee.” This talent fee starts at $3.725 million in the first year and escalates progressively to $4.725 million by the fifth and final year. Consequently, Lupoi will earn at least $4.1 million this season, inclusive of a $100,000 signing bonus, with his compensation reaching $5 million in the final year of the deal. The agreement also includes various performance-based bonuses, such as a $25,000 incentive for specific team achievements.
This financial commitment underscores the university’s confidence in the new coaching staff, mirroring the recent agreement with Ron Rivera, who now serves as both athletic director and general manager. Rivera’s three-year deal, worth at least $2.4 million, was similarly delayed in its public release despite being finalized in March 2025. By securing these long-term, high-value contracts, Cal aims to stabilize its football program and signal a serious investment in rebuilding the Bears’ competitive standing in the Big Ten.
Source: Yahoo Sports
