San Diego Return Marks Tim Plough's Homecoming as UC Davis Head Coach SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Saturday’s matchup against the San Diego Toreros holds special significance for UC Davis head coach Tim Plough, who will lead his Aggies into the city for the first time as a head coach. The game marks a nostalgic return for Plough, a native of the San Diego area who grew up in the Eastern Inland region of the county, approximately 45 minutes from the venue. His journey to coaching began with a decision to pursue football over baseball, a choice shaped by financial constraints during his upbringing. Plough’s parents, both teachers, faced limited financial resources, prompting him to seek a football scholarship. In 2004, he enrolled at UC Davis, where he became a four-year letterwinner at quarterback (2004–07) before spending nine seasons as an assistant coach over two stints. His return to the program as head coach in 2024 brings him full circle, with the San Diego game serving as a personal milestone. The Aggies hold a 9-1 all-time record against the Toreros, a series in which Plough has been directly involved in every game since 2004. While the team’s dominance in the rivalry is evident, Plough recalls several nail-biting contests. A 38-35 victory in 2019 stands out as the most recent game he coached against the Toreros, while a 28-20 loss in 2008 remains his only defeat in the series. He also remembers a 2006 win over a Jim Harbaugh-coached Torero squad, marking the first meeting between the programs. Plough’s ties to San Diego extend beyond the field. His parents still reside in the area and will attend Saturday’s game, as will his former college roommate and other friends and coaches from the region.#uc_davis #wall_street_journal #san_diego #tim_plough #san_diego_toreros
