calumnus said:

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JimSox said:

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It would be a big story if he were to come here in any capacity. And if it's not as head coach it would clearly be perceived as coach in waiting, which would also make it abundantly clear that Wilcox is on the hot seat.

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I guess consultant and coach in waiting would be more typiCal for us. I agree with others. If we are going to wait out Wilcox's contract, then we should do a full search at that time, The huge attraction of Rivera is that he might allow us to replace Wilcox now. If it is just Wilcox on the "hot seat" then does he keep his job if he goes 6-7 again next year? Because Rivera would just be wasting his time. It also puts Rivera in a weird position too.

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Makes sense. Which makes it unlikely he's coming here. Too bad.

JimSox said:

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It would be a big story if he were to come here in any capacity. And if it's not as head coach it would clearly be perceived as coach in waiting, which would also make it abundantly clear that Wilcox is on the hot seat.

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Rivera would never come to cal under any conditions or in any capacity that potentially undermines Wilcox.

He's not that kind of guy.
If anything changes with Wilcox that would be something different.

JimSox said:

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calumnus said:

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JimSox said:

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It would be a big story if he were to come here in any capacity. And if it's not as head coach it would clearly be perceived as coach in waiting, which would also make it abundantly clear that Wilcox is on the hot seat.

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I guess consultant and coach in waiting would be more typiCal for us. I agree with others. If we are going to wait out Wilcox's contract, then we should do a full search at that time, The huge attraction of Rivera is that he might allow us to replace Wilcox now. If it is just Wilcox on the "hot seat" then does he keep his job if he goes 6-7 again next year? Because Rivera would just be wasting his time. It also puts Rivera in a weird position too.

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Makes sense. Which makes it unlikely he's coming here. Too bad.

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Agreed. And I think Rivera is more willing to make it happen than Knowlton would be. We just don't have the leadership, which is why the long delays on the Investigation into Knowlton over his role in McKeevergate is so frustrating.

Cal football is just littered with missed opportunities. It kind of defines us.

Alkiadt said:

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JimSox said:

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It would be a big story if he were to come here in any capacity. And if it's not as head coach it would clearly be perceived as coach in waiting, which would also make it abundantly clear that Wilcox is on the hot seat.

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Rivera would never come to cal under any conditions or in any capacity that potentially undermines Wilcox.

He's not that kind of guy.
If anything changes with Wilcox that would be something different.

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It would take a bold AD to make it happen. We have the opposite. Plus, he probably doesn't even know who Ron Rivera is.

calumnus said:

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Alkiadt said:

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JimSox said:

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It would be a big story if he were to come here in any capacity. And if it's not as head coach it would clearly be perceived as coach in waiting, which would also make it abundantly clear that Wilcox is on the hot seat.

---

Rivera would never come to cal under any conditions or in any capacity that potentially undermines Wilcox.

He's not that kind of guy.
If anything changes with Wilcox that would be something different.

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It would take a bold AD to make it happen. We have the opposite. Plus, he probably doesn't even know who Ron Rivera is.

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The "bold" part is financial. You need a donor or donors to pay out Wilcox because it ain't coming from the department. Money is not there by a long shot.

Alkiadt said:

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calumnus said:

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Alkiadt said:

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JimSox said:

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It would be a big story if he were to come here in any capacity. And if it's not as head coach it would clearly be perceived as coach in waiting, which would also make it abundantly clear that Wilcox is on the hot seat.

---

Rivera would never come to cal under any conditions or in any capacity that potentially undermines Wilcox.

He's not that kind of guy.
If anything changes with Wilcox that would be something different.

---

It would take a bold AD to make it happen. We have the opposite. Plus, he probably doesn't even know who Ron Rivera is.

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The "bold" part is financial. You need a donor or donors to pay out Wilcox because it ain't coming from the department. Money is not there by a long shot.

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Wilcox will be paid $20 million over the next 4 years no matter what. If (and it is a big if) Rivera were willing to take over the coaching and defer his compensation until after we are clear of Wilcox's contract, then it would not cost the department anything (additional).

Essentially Rivera would be the "big donor" (donating his salary).

I know, not likely, it would depend on Rivera being willing (some small chance) and Knowlton being willing, bold and smart (no chance).

Best thing about Rivera is it means Wilcox is gone and probably also Knowlton.

Get it done, Carol!

dimitrig said:

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Best thing about Rivera is it means Wikcox is gone and probably also Knowlton.

Get it done, Carol!

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What part did you forget about paying off $20million? You writing a check?
lol

Alkiadt said:

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dimitrig said:

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Best thing about Rivera is it means Wikcox is gone and probably also Knowlton.

Get it done, Carol!

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What part did you forget about paying off $20million? You writing a check?
lol

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I heard Carol was a great fundraiser.

Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

dimitrig said:

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Alkiadt said:

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dimitrig said:

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Best thing about Rivera is it means Wikcox is gone and probably also Knowlton.

Get it done, Carol!

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What part did you forget about paying off $20million? You writing a check?
lol

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I heard Carol was a great fundraiser.

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Is Carol great at anything?

Golden One said:

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dimitrig said:

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Alkiadt said:

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dimitrig said:

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Best thing about Rivera is it means Wikcox is gone and probably also Knowlton.

Get it done, Carol!

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What part did you forget about paying off $20million? You writing a check?
lol

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I heard Carol was a great fundraiser.

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Is Carol great at anything?

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I gladly give her credit for her knowledge of Victorian literature and her academic leadership. I like her. She is just clueless when it comes to 21st century athletics and her hiring of Knowlton and lifetime extension at $1.3 million a year, then protecting him from his many errors and scandles while allowing him to live in Colorado is gross fiscal malfeasance that may end up destroying our athletics programs.

Alkiadt said:

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dimitrig said:

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Best thing about Rivera is it means Wikcox is gone and probably also Knowlton.

Get it done, Carol!

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What part did you forget about paying off $20million? You writing a check?
lol

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The $20 million will need to be paid to Wilcox if he stays too.

The usual question is paying that, AND paying a new coach. If Rivera will work for free until we are clear of Wilcox's contract then the only donor we need is essentially Rivera.

bluehenbear said:

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Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

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He does have some relationship. The Riveras have made valuable contributions during the time he has been AD.
Doesn't guarantee that discussion, but is there really anything to talk about until after the coming football season?

mbBear said:

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bluehenbear said:

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Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

---

He does have some relationship. The Riveras have made valuable contributions during the time he has been AD.
Doesn't guarantee that discussion, but is there really anything to talk about until after the coming football season?

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Of the infinitesimal chances that Rivera becomes Cal's coach, one smaller infinitesimal chance is he comes now, January 2024. Otherwise he may take another job and a window may be lost as he will be committed to that job. If we wait two or three years until Wilcox's buyout is lower ($10 million or $5 million) then it will just be a regular search.

Chances are low, but if Rivera is ever going to be Cal's coach, now is his/our opportunity.

We have discussed hypotheticals with lower probability of happening (because they are past-based) like "What if Rodgers knew the Niners weren't going to take him and he came back to Cal for the 2005 season?" Discussing Rivera as a possible Cal coach now is a nice fantasy until he is employed elsewhere for the coming season.

calumnus said:

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mbBear said:

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bluehenbear said:

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Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

---

He does have some relationship. The Riveras have made valuable contributions during the time he has been AD.
Doesn't guarantee that discussion, but is there really anything to talk about until after the coming football season?

---

Of the infinitesimal chances that Rivera becomes Cal's coach, one smaller infinitesimal chance is he comes now, January 2024. Otherwise he may take another job and a window may be lost as he will be committed to that job. If we wait two or three years until Wilcox's buyout is lower ($10 million or $5 million) then it will just be a regular search.

Chances are low, but if Rivera is ever going to be Cal's coach, now is his/our opportunity.

We have discussed hypotheticals with lower probability of happening (because they are past-based) like "What if Rodgers knew the Niners weren't going to take him and he came back to Cal for the 2005 season?" Discussing Rivera as a possible Cal coach now is a nice fantasy until he is employed elsewhere for the coming season.

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Maybe Rivera heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and was like, hmmm...

Maybe Knowlton heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and had the same reaction.
(okay, kidding about that last part... he would be like, show-what?)

Big C said:

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calumnus said:

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mbBear said:

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bluehenbear said:

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Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

---

He does have some relationship. The Riveras have made valuable contributions during the time he has been AD.
Doesn't guarantee that discussion, but is there really anything to talk about until after the coming football season?

---

Of the infinitesimal chances that Rivera becomes Cal's coach, one smaller infinitesimal chance is he comes now, January 2024. Otherwise he may take another job and a window may be lost as he will be committed to that job. If we wait two or three years until Wilcox's buyout is lower ($10 million or $5 million) then it will just be a regular search.

Chances are low, but if Rivera is ever going to be Cal's coach, now is his/our opportunity.

We have discussed hypotheticals with lower probability of happening (because they are past-based) like "What if Rodgers knew the Niners weren't going to take him and he came back to Cal for the 2005 season?" Discussing Rivera as a possible Cal coach now is a nice fantasy until he is employed elsewhere for the coming season.

---

Maybe Rivera heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and was like, hmmm...

Maybe Knowlton heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and had the same reaction.
(okay, kidding about that last part... he would be like, show-what?)

---

Who?

Big C said:

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calumnus said:

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mbBear said:

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bluehenbear said:

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Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

---

He does have some relationship. The Riveras have made valuable contributions during the time he has been AD.
Doesn't guarantee that discussion, but is there really anything to talk about until after the coming football season?

---

Of the infinitesimal chances that Rivera becomes Cal's coach, one smaller infinitesimal chance is he comes now, January 2024. Otherwise he may take another job and a window may be lost as he will be committed to that job. If we wait two or three years until Wilcox's buyout is lower ($10 million or $5 million) then it will just be a regular search.

Chances are low, but if Rivera is ever going to be Cal's coach, now is his/our opportunity.

We have discussed hypotheticals with lower probability of happening (because they are past-based) like "What if Rodgers knew the Niners weren't going to take him and he came back to Cal for the 2005 season?" Discussing Rivera as a possible Cal coach now is a nice fantasy until he is employed elsewhere for the coming season.

---

Maybe Rivera heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and was like, hmmm...

Maybe Knowlton heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and had the same reaction.
(okay, kidding about that last part... he would be like, show-what?)

---

Maybe we could do a Mets/Bobby Bonilla type deal and pay Wilcox $1 million per year for the next 25 years and hire Ron Rivera now.

Ron's got $7m left on his last extension. Not privy as to the current negotiations re the buy out (I assume the 5 years @ $35m was fully guaranteed), but for the time being lets assume that will be paid out, less whatever he realistically makes at a next gig, should he take one during the 2024 season.

He could assign that $7m for call it, $5m and then work for free next year - so the $20m to Wilcox is now effectively $15m. Lots of creative ways, but all of them involve a lot more money than we seem to have sadly.

Eastern Oregon Bear said:

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Big C said:

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calumnus said:

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mbBear said:

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bluehenbear said:

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Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

---

He does have some relationship. The Riveras have made valuable contributions during the time he has been AD.
Doesn't guarantee that discussion, but is there really anything to talk about until after the coming football season?

---

Of the infinitesimal chances that Rivera becomes Cal's coach, one smaller infinitesimal chance is he comes now, January 2024. Otherwise he may take another job and a window may be lost as he will be committed to that job. If we wait two or three years until Wilcox's buyout is lower ($10 million or $5 million) then it will just be a regular search.

Chances are low, but if Rivera is ever going to be Cal's coach, now is his/our opportunity.

We have discussed hypotheticals with lower probability of happening (because they are past-based) like "What if Rodgers knew the Niners weren't going to take him and he came back to Cal for the 2005 season?" Discussing Rivera as a possible Cal coach now is a nice fantasy until he is employed elsewhere for the coming season.

---

Maybe Rivera heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and was like, hmmm...

Maybe Knowlton heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and had the same reaction.
(okay, kidding about that last part... he would be like, show-what?)

---

Maybe we could do a Mets/Bobby Bonilla type deal and pay Wilcox $1 million per year for the next 25 years and hire Ron Rivera now.

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"$1 million per year for the next 25 years"

Damn. When you put it that way... That's a LOT of money for what we are getting!

dimitrig said:

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Eastern Oregon Bear said:

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Big C said:

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calumnus said:

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mbBear said:

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bluehenbear said:

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Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

---

He does have some relationship. The Riveras have made valuable contributions during the time he has been AD.
Doesn't guarantee that discussion, but is there really anything to talk about until after the coming football season?

---

Of the infinitesimal chances that Rivera becomes Cal's coach, one smaller infinitesimal chance is he comes now, January 2024. Otherwise he may take another job and a window may be lost as he will be committed to that job. If we wait two or three years until Wilcox's buyout is lower ($10 million or $5 million) then it will just be a regular search.

Chances are low, but if Rivera is ever going to be Cal's coach, now is his/our opportunity.

We have discussed hypotheticals with lower probability of happening (because they are past-based) like "What if Rodgers knew the Niners weren't going to take him and he came back to Cal for the 2005 season?" Discussing Rivera as a possible Cal coach now is a nice fantasy until he is employed elsewhere for the coming season.

---

Maybe Rivera heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and was like, hmmm...

Maybe Knowlton heard about the Shohei Ohtani contract and had the same reaction.
(okay, kidding about that last part... he would be like, show-what?)

---

Maybe we could do a Mets/Bobby Bonilla type deal and pay Wilcox $1 million per year for the next 25 years and hire Ron Rivera now.

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"$1 million per year for the next 25 years"

Damn. When you put it that way... That's a LOT of money for what we are getting!

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I wasn't too serious about that suggestion. We're on the hook for $20 million, so I figured we'd need to give Wilcox a few million reasons to agree to renegotiate his contract.

Marty said:

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Rivera actually won a division title in 2020 with the Commanders, under perhaps the most dysfunctional ownership regime in NFL history. IMO he did an amazing job even since then, given the environment, owner interference, and scandal that led to the NFL forcing a sale of the franchise. He maintained his professionalism and control of the locker room through some very difficult years. The man is a great coach and anyone who has followed him knows what a class act he is as a person. At a minimum, it would behoove Knowlton to reach out and determine if he would be willing to associate with Cal at some level. I believe he'd be a dream head coach, but I'd love to see him as a strategic advisor, or in any role where he could contribute to Cal football. If he's at a point where he's ready to move on from the NFL, and is desirous of returning to the west coast, there needs to be at least a serious conversation if he'd be interested in talking.

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Perhaps donors and senior staff under Knowlton should just reach out and basically start treating Knowlton as a rubber stamp. just put that old beast out to pasture already.

Marty said:

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Rivera actually won a division title in 2020 with the Commanders, under perhaps the most dysfunctional ownership regime in NFL history. IMO he did an amazing job even since then, given the environment, owner interference, and scandal that led to the NFL forcing a sale of the franchise. He maintained his professionalism and control of the locker room through some very difficult years. The man is a great coach and anyone who has followed him knows what a class act he is as a person. At a minimum, it would behoove Knowlton to reach out and determine if he would be willing to associate with Cal at some level. I believe he'd be a dream head coach, but I'd love to see him as a strategic advisor, or in any role where he could contribute to Cal football. If he's at a point where he's ready to move on from the NFL, and is desirous of returning to the west coast, there needs to be at least a serious conversation if he'd be interested in talking.

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here's a legit question. If the reason for Rivera's poor record at Washington was because of the ownership dysfunction or management dysfunction, why or how would Rivera succeed with our current dysfunction in the AD office?

Do we think that management would give him the tools to succeed as a head coach?

philly1121 said:

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Marty said:

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Rivera actually won a division title in 2020 with the Commanders, under perhaps the most dysfunctional ownership regime in NFL history. IMO he did an amazing job even since then, given the environment, owner interference, and scandal that led to the NFL forcing a sale of the franchise. He maintained his professionalism and control of the locker room through some very difficult years. The man is a great coach and anyone who has followed him knows what a class act he is as a person. At a minimum, it would behoove Knowlton to reach out and determine if he would be willing to associate with Cal at some level. I believe he'd be a dream head coach, but I'd love to see him as a strategic advisor, or in any role where he could contribute to Cal football. If he's at a point where he's ready to move on from the NFL, and is desirous of returning to the west coast, there needs to be at least a serious conversation if he'd be interested in talking.

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here's a legit question. If the reason for Rivera's poor record at Washington was because of the ownership dysfunction or management dysfunction, why or how would Rivera succeed with our current dysfunction in the AD office?

Do we think that management would give him the tools to succeed as a head coach?

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College football coaches have more control over personnel than pro football coaches. Unfortunately, we may have to temper our expectations given the ineptitude of the AD; however, he should do better than our current HC.

Eh I don't know about that. He wouldn't have a key to the whole program. That doesn't happen at Cal. What I'm asking is - if its a management issue - whats the difference between Washington's dysfunction versus ours? There are many posters on this board that believe, with merit, that we do not succeed because of Administration. So what's the difference?

philly1121 said:

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Eh I don't know about that. He wouldn't have a key to the whole program. That doesn't happen at Cal. What I'm asking is - if its a management issue - whats the difference between Washington's dysfunction versus ours? There are many posters on this board that believe, with merit, that we do not succeed because of Administration. So what's the difference?

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The biggest "management problem" was Knowlton giving a coach with a losing record after 5 years a 6 year extension with a $30 million guarantee.

I agree. But our athletic department isn't exactly running on all cylinders, is it? Its not known, in the past 7 years, for making the right decisions about football and revenue sports. Perhaps it was harsh to call it dysfunction but there are some management issues that need to be dealt with in order for us to turn the corner, no?

philly1121 said:

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Eh I don't know about that. He wouldn't have a key to the whole program. That doesn't happen at Cal. What I'm asking is - if its a management issue - whats the difference between Washington's dysfunction versus ours? There are many posters on this board that believe, with merit, that we do not succeed because of Administration. So what's the difference?

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Reinvigorates donor buy-in and recruiting momentum.

calumnus said:

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mbBear said:

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bluehenbear said:

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Is our dunce of an AD even have enough brain cells to call him up and give Rivera the opportunity to define a role he could contribute to. He would be an asset in any role he could help the athletic department or football program.

---

He does have some relationship. The Riveras have made valuable contributions during the time he has been AD.
Doesn't guarantee that discussion, but is there really anything to talk about until after the coming football season?

---

Of the infinitesimal chances that Rivera becomes Cal's coach, one smaller infinitesimal chance is he comes now, January 2024. Otherwise he may take another job and a window may be lost as he will be committed to that job. If we wait two or three years until Wilcox's buyout is lower ($10 million or $5 million) then it will just be a regular search.

Chances are low, but if Rivera is ever going to be Cal's coach, now is his/our opportunity.

We have discussed hypotheticals with lower probability of happening (because they are past-based) like "What if Rodgers knew the Niners weren't going to take him and he came back to Cal for the 2005 season?" Discussing Rivera as a possible Cal coach now is a nice fantasy until he is employed elsewhere for the coming season.

---

That could be, especially if he was fine being a DC. I think there could be at least some chance he would take a year off, and/or do media.
You are right, but I don't think Wilcox gets fired in January... the "window is open" probably has to be because Wilcox moves on...

Ron's statement
https://www.commanders.com/news/statement-from-former-head-coach-ron-rivera

The only times Dan Snyder had real success was when he brought back Joe Gibbs. Shottenheimer did OK' as did Shanahan. Ever since the RG III injury debacle, they've been unable to find the right QB and have thus been unable to find the right offensive scheme. Rivera came in and it seemed like the emphasis was shifting towards building a dominant defense. This season, when it became clear the team wasn't going anywhere, they traded some of their best players on defense for picks. I'd say Rivera was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'd also say that if I were leading an ownership group that had spent $3.5B, as Josh Harris did, I'd want to install my own people. Again, I don't think that's anything personal against Rivera.

The demands on an NFL coach are insane. Rivera could take a year "off" (do some media and maybe some consulting), recharge his batteries and live a healthy lifestyle, spend time with his family and friends... and we'll see where we're at in 10-11 months.

Big C said:

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The demands on an NFL coach are insane. Rivera could take a year "off" (do some media and maybe some consulting), recharge his batteries and live a healthy lifestyle, spend time with his family and friends... and we'll see where we're at in 10-11 months.

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That is definitely one possibility.

oskidunker said:

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I don't get the fascination with Ron Rivera. Please explain.

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He was the Pac-10 DPOY in 1983 or something. At Cal. That's it.

ducktilldeath said:

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oskidunker said:

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I don't get the fascination with Ron Rivera. Please explain.

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He was the Pac-10 DPOY in 1983 or something. At Cal. That's it.

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Plus he led the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl.

Once.