REPORT: Former CU Buffs D-line coach Vic So’oto taking new job at Cal

Vic So’oto is reportedly taking a new job at Cal

The Vic So’oto era in Boulder came to a somewhat abrupt close on Monday when the now-former Buffs D-line coach informed Karl Dorrell that he’ll be departing the program and taking a new job in his home state of California.

So’oto, who spent the previous two seasons at USC, was been hired by Colorado on Dec. 30.

It was initially unclear where his new job would be until Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports reported on Tuesday morning that So’oto is expected to take the OLB coaching position at Cal.

But here’s where things got interesting. In Monday’s press release announcing the coaching loss, Dorrell was quoted saying So’oto’s decision to leave Colorado was “purely family related.” However, that didn’t exactly align with what So’oto later wrote on Twitter. First, here’s what Dorrell said:

“It is disappointing we’re losing Vic after just two months, but this is purely family related. He has five young children and with most of both sides of his family living in California, they can use the additional support. So we understand why he wants to take advantage of an opportunity to move back and be closer to them.”

Then on Tuesday, So’oto told a different story in a response to a tweet made by Adam Munsterteiger.

Make of that what you will…

So’oto did thank Dorrell and the Buffs later in a tweet, but this is certainly an odd situation.

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Karl Dorrell hires former USC assistant coach Vic So’oto to head Buffs’ D-line

Vic So’oto was named the Buffaloes’ D-line coach on Thursday

Colorado’s coaching upheaval continued on Thursday with the hiring of former USC D-line/outside linebackers coach Vic So’oto. The 34-year-old So’oto will now coach the Buffs’ D-line, Karl Dorrell announced.

The Buffs’ D-line coaching role was previously filled by defensive coordinator Chris Wilson, who remains the DC but is now left with a “position to be determined.”

A three-year NFL linebacker, So’oto played his college ball at BYU, where he was initially a tight end before switching to play both linebacker and defensive end. So’oto suffered two season-ending injuries during his college career before earning first-team All-Mountain West honors as a senior.

In 2015, his coaching career began as an intern at BYU. After one season there, he moved east in 2016 to become a graduate assistant at Virginia. He was soon promoted and coached Virginia’s D-line from 2017-19. So’oto spent the 2020 season as USC’s D-line coach and in 2021, added outside linebackers to his coaching duties.

“Vic is an impressive young coach,” Dorrell said. “He is a great communicator, teacher and developer who relates very well with his players. His body of work speaks volumes, and I know our players will gravitate to his teaching style.”

So’oto, who is a second cousin of the late NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau, was likewise looking forward to bringing his coaching style to Colorado.

“I am excited to become a part of Karl Dorrell’s staff at the University of Colorado,” So’oto said. “Teaching and building are my passions and I can’t wait to get started in Boulder.”