California general manager Ron Rivera openly discussed the challenges facing head coach Tosh Lupoi after the Golden Bears' disappointing 3-6 start to the season. Following a tough third straight loss, Rivera assessed Lupoi's performance and the team's trajectory during Cal's bye week.

Rivera noted, "Tosh came in as a first-time head coach. He did bring a couple of inexperienced coordinators with him. Things didn't work out the way we needed them to work out on offense. He has bumped his head a lot." He elaborated that while some of Lupoi's responses to advice have been positive, others have not.

The season started with high hopes, especially with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele returning at quarterback after a standout freshman year. However, the Golden Bears faced a harsh reality after losing their opener to UCLA 45-24, with the Bruins currently ranked No. 8 in the College Football Playoff standings.

Rivera emphasized the importance of not directly comparing Lupoi to UCLA's coach, stating, "UCLA brought in a current head coach that came and brought probably half of the team that he had that went to the playoffs."

Lupoi's season took a turn after a promising start, leading to significant changes in the coaching staff, including taking play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville. Despite a brief resurgence, the Golden Bears have struggled, losing five of their last six games, raising concerns about postseason eligibility.

Sagapolutele, who previously excelled with impressive stats, has not found the same success this season, leading Rivera to stress the need for visible growth and development within the team as they approach critical matchups against Virginia, Stanford, and Pitt.