Cal hires veteran assistant John Lovett as cornerbacks coach
Philadelphia Eagles scout John Lovett is joining California as cornerbacks coach according to a source.
Along with the move, Golden Bears coach Sonny Dykes will now coach wide receivers per the source. Cal had been short an assistant since April when former wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Pierre Ingram was fired after he was arrested in a prostitution sting.
Lovett, 64, moved into the Eagles’ scouting department in January after being replaced as the team’s defensive backs coach, a position he held for two seasons. His hiring reunites him with California defensive coordinator Art Kaufman. Lovett coached defensive backs at Texas Tech in 2012 when Kaufman was the Red Raiders’ defensive coordinator. The two also coached together in the same roles at Mississippi from 1995 to '98.
A longtime college assistant, Lovett was formerly defensive coordinator at Maine (1985–88 and 1994), Cincinnati (1989–92), Auburn (1999–01), Clemson (2002–04), Bowling Green (2005–06) and Miami (2009–10).
California returns nine starters from a youthful defense that was one of the worst in the FBS last season, but is expected to be much improved in the second year under the renowned Kaufman. The Golden Bears went 5–7 last year and open this season Sept. 5 vs. Grambling State in Dykes’ pivotal third season in Berkeley.
