The Zeitgeist List · coaching

California: a football coaching history

National Program III#66 of 138–
See California’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Stub Allison
Peaked at Power Program II
Built by
Pappy Waldorf
National Program II → Power Program II (+22.5)
The fall
Marv Levy
National Program II → Regional Program II (−11.7)
Right now
Tosh Lupoi
in year 1 — too new to place in California's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)AllisonWaldorfWillseyWhiteKappSnyderHolmoeTedfordWilcox19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Tosh Lupoishort tenure
0–0
2025–2025
Nick Rolovichshort tenure
1–1
2017–now
Justin Wilcoxcaretaker
Justin Wilcox held California at National Program II for 9 seasons.
National Program II
48–55
2013–2016
Sonny Dykescaretaker
Sonny Dykes slid California from National Program I to National Program II in 4 seasons.
National Program II
19–30
2002–2012
Jeff Tedfordbuilder
Jeff Tedford raised California from National Program III to Power Program III.
+19.7
82–57
1997–2001
Tom Holmoecaretaker
Tom Holmoe held California at National Program II for 5 seasons.
National Program II
16–39
1996–1996
Steve Mariuccishort tenure
6–6
1992–1995
Keith Gilbertsoncaretaker
Keith Gilbertson moved California from National Program II to National Program I in 4 seasons.
National Program I
20–26
1987–1991
Bruce Snydercaretaker
Bruce Snyder moved California from Regional Program II to National Program II in 5 seasons.
National Program II
29–24
1982–1986
Joe Kappcaretaker
Joe Kapp held California at National Program II for 5 seasons.
National Program II
20–34
1978–1981
Roger Thedercaretaker
Roger Theder held California at National Program I for 4 seasons.
National Program I
17–28
1972–1977
Mike Whitecaretaker
Mike White moved California from National Program III to National Program I in 6 seasons.
National Program I
34–31
1964–1971
Ray Willseycaretaker
Ray Willsey moved California from Regional Program II to National Program III in 8 seasons.
National Program III
40–42
1960–1963
Marv Levycaretaker
Marv Levy held California at National Program II for 4 seasons.
−11.7
8–29
1957–1959
Pete Elliottcaretaker
Pete Elliott held California at National Program I for 3 seasons.
National Program I
10–21
1947–1956
Pappy Waldorfbuilder
Pappy Waldorf raised California from National Program II to Power Program II.
+22.5
67–32
1946–1946
Frank Wickhorstshort tenure
2–7
1945–1945
Buck Shawshort tenure
4–5
1936–1944
Stub Allisoncaretaker
Stub Allison held California at Power Program II for 9 seasons.
Power Program II
49–41