In 2016, Lupoi has helped coordinate a defense that led the nation in scoring defense (13.0 ppg) and rushing defense (63.9 ypg), while ranking second in total defense (261.8 ypg) and ninth in pass efficiency defense (106.47). The defense also added a nation's best 11 defensive touchdowns.
Lupoi's unit returned several experienced veterans at outside linebacker including seniors Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson and they turned in fantastic final campaigns, combining for 35.0 tackles for loss, 18 sacks and 22 quarterback hurries. Anderson earned first team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press and Williams was a second team All-American by the same outlet. Anderson finished with 61 total tackles, an interceptions return for a touchdown in the Peach Bowl and 10 hurries to go along with a team-best 19 tackles for loss, which is tied for the fifth most in school history, and nine sacks. Williams had 16 TFLs while finishing with nine sacks. Christian Miller added 16 tackles and two sacks while Anfernee Jennings added 19 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and true freshman Terrell Hall pitched in with 11 stops and a sack.
In Lupoi's first year with the outside linebackers in 2015, the Crimson Tide recorded the most sacks during the Saban era with 53, which ranked third nationally and was the second most in school history. The outside linebackers notched 22.5 by themselves, led by Williams' 10.5. Devall and Lee started at the jack and sam linebacker spots with Williams, Anderson and Evans coming off the bench to provide a spark.
Lupoi had previous experience in the 3-4 defense as an assistant coach at California and Washington, where he was responsible for coaching the defensive line as well as one of the outside linebacker positions.
Lupoi was an analyst for the defense during the 2014 season for the Crimson Tide. Prior to that role, he served as the defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator at Washington in 2012 and 2013. The Huskies ranked fourth in the country in sacks per game (3.15) in 2013 while ranking among the top four in the Pac-12 both years in scoring defense.
Two of the players he coached at UW during that time earned All-America honors that season in outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha and defensive lineman Danny Shelton. Kikaha led the country with 19 sacks in 2013 while Shelton was tops among all interior defensive lineman with nine sacks on the season. Shelton would go on to be the 12th overall selection in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Lupoi was the defensive line coach at California for four years, becoming the youngest full-time coach in Cal history when he joined the staff at the age of 26 in 2008. The Golden Bears led the Pac-12 in total defense in 2011, allowing just 332.9 yards per game. They were third in sacks that year with 34 and gave up the fewest first downs per game (17.4) and fewest passing yards per game (204.2). California also led the conference in defense and ranked among the top 25 nationally in per-game averages for sacks, total defense and pass defense.
Lupoi was the Rivals Recruiter of the Year in 2010 and helped sign California classes that ranked No. 11 nationally in 2011 and No. 14 in 2010. He helped develop multiple NFL draft picks during his tenure at Cal, including future first-round selections Cameron Jordan and Tyson Alualu.
