California changed offensive playcallers midway through Saturday's loss at UNLV, as pass game coordinator Pat McCann took over duties from offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville.
Golden Bears head coach Tosh Lupoi confirmed the change Tuesday.
Cal scored 24 points in the second half after seven in the first half, but still fell 39-31 to drop to 2-3 on the season. Lupoi hired Somerville from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite no offensive coordinator experience, and the unit has struggled against FBS competition. McCann is a former offensive coordinator at Fresno State who oversaw the Mountain West's No. 2 passing offense in 2023.
"He's looking for answers, which is great, he's trying to be aggressive in terms of finding those answers," general manager Ron Rivera told reporters Tuesday, referring to Lupoi. "If you continue to do the same thing, isn't that insanity? You keep getting the same results. ... Our initial playcaller is a young playcaller, a guy who's got a lot to learn still. Very good football coach, understands the game, but has got some things to learn."
Lupoi had hinted at operational changes following a Sept. 25 loss to Clemson but did not provide specifics.
"I just changed it up, I thought it was time," Lupoi said. "We kind of sputtered a bit again. ... Drawing up things on the sideline, getting on the iPad, maniac energy of trying to put things in, put a receiver in the backfield, run a play that we did not practice a single time for an explosive touchdown, Pat McCann dressed all that up."
Lupoi also said Tuesday that starting quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele sustained a concussion against UNLV despite being medically cleared. Sagapolutele did not participate in contact portions of Tuesday's practice.
Cal hosts Virginia Tech on Saturday.
