The news has broken - Ron Rivera as Cal's new GM of Football

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BearGreg
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10:24a, 2/5/25
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For the past six months, we've been working to do all that we could to implore Chancellor Lyons to make a change in athletic leadership. He has taken a massive first step in that direction by hiring Ron Rivera (and by association his amazingly talented wife Stephanie) as the GM of Cal Football.

More details to come but our expectation is that Ron will report directly to the Chancellor, oversee all personnel and budget decisions for Football and of course Justin Wilcox will report to Ron.

Ron's a dynamic personality that will immediately help with fundraising and fan support. His football wisdom and experience becomes an instant win for Coach Wilcox. Stephanie's a founding board member of the Cal Legends Collective, is extremely plugged into what is happening today with Cal athletics as well as the broader landscape of College sports (not simply football) and that experience will be a difference maker for Ron and Cal.

We could not be more thrilled with this news
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nikeykid
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10:27a, 2/5/25
great news, could not have picked a better GM for this program
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Sebastabear
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10:35a, 2/5/25
Also posted on Insider but will add here as well.

Key has been not just getting this done but getting it done right. My argument is that the GM needs to have all hiring and firing ability for anything touching football - not just coaches but also admin. They also need to have their own P&L separate from the athletic department. And of course, be a direct report to the Chancellor. I think we have accomplished all three. But the implementation will be key. Must be ever vigilant.

Still an amazing day
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CalBearinLA
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10:49a, 2/5/25
Thank you BG, Sebasta and everyone involved for pushing to make this happen. We are fortunate to have people like you actively working on fixing our program!
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CNHTH
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11:06a, 2/5/25
Amazing news thank you for making this happen
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Bearly Clad
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11:07a, 2/5/25
California football is doing all the right things. I can't imagine the Sisyphean effort that went into getting us to this point but this is by far the best situated the program as a whole has been in my lifetime; sincere thanks to all involved with rolling that boulder up the mountain
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falseintellect
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11:08a, 2/5/25
Great News!!

This is the first step to finally being rid of Wilcox!!! So excited!!!!

Rivera having hiring and firing power, he will not stand for his incompetence and there might actually be a chance he hires someone good to replace him.
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TedfordTheGreat
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11:09a, 2/5/25
this is the best news possible! Ty Sebastabear and others for making it happen!

I love the fact that it bypasses Knowlton and goes straight to the chancellor. Get someone like Ron who has football connection in here to handle football decisions. He can also hire better should we need to replace anyone on the staff because he has years of experience in the league. This is a HUGE win
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sonofabear51
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11:11a, 2/5/25
Fantastic news!!

GO BEARS!!
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HungryCalBear
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11:23a, 2/5/25
This is amazing news! WOW ... Hope he sets his mind in this endeavor for a loooong time - what a legacy he'll leave behind for Cal Football if he does.

Thanks to all who contributed to make this happen!
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smh
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In reply to Sebastabear • 11:23a, 2/5/25
Sebastabear said:
Also posted on Insider but will add here as well..
Still an amazing day
there's an idea there somewhere for those who can afford it..
https://bearinsider.com/forums/1
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Calfan92
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11:31a, 2/5/25
Like Buster Posey coming to check on Farhan......
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BearoutEast67
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11:33a, 2/5/25
Awesome!
Donate to Cal's NIL at https://calegends.com/donation/
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BearGreg
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11:47a, 2/5/25
Staff
ESPN Article on Ron Rivera coming back to Cal
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SBGold
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11:59a, 2/5/25
I love this

Put the hurt on Luck at the Furd

Go Bears Forever
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sycasey
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12:17p, 2/5/25
This is the biggest sign so far that Cal is taking football and revenue sports seriously and taking control away from the folks who have mismanaged it. Props to Lyons here.
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KenBurnski
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1:03p, 2/5/25
Imagine all the cool things that Knowlton will do with his additional free time. Just kidding. This is great news. Thanks to SB and the crew.
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calumnus
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1:05p, 2/5/25
Great, great news!

People went out of their way to attack me for suggesting Rivera might come here for little compensation just out of his love for Cal.

Though for the same cost I rather have Rivera be the head coach and pay Wilcox not to coach. Maybe we get there before it is too late.
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Bear8995
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In reply to Sebastabear • 1:18p, 2/5/25
Sebastabear said:
Also posted on Insider but will add here as well.

Key has been not just getting this done but getting it done right. My argument is that the GM needs to have all hiring and firing ability for anything touching football - not just coaches but also admin. They also need to have their own P&L separate from the athletic department. And of course, be a direct report to the Chancellor. I think we have accomplished all three. But the implementation will be key. Must be ever vigilant.

Still an amazing day
This gives me so much hope. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
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calbearsfan
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1:27p, 2/5/25
Welcome home Ron and Stephanie!!!
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LunchTime
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1:36p, 2/5/25
Bummer. I guess I have to add season tickets back to the budget.
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Shocky1
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1:44p, 2/5/25
CONGRATS to greg richardson & kevin kennedy on their successful advocacy on this important initiative!!

https://instagr.am/p/DFqlOYEpHcx
the fall of the con artist's house of cards empire#
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Cal88
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2:13p, 2/5/25
Wow, this offseason keeps getting better!

Welcome back Ron!
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PTownYogi
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2:14p, 2/5/25
Maybe going 6-7 finally won't cut it.

Go Bears!!
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GoOskie
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2:17p, 2/5/25
Amazing news. Go Bears!
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Strykur
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In reply to PTownYogi • 2:21p, 2/5/25
PTownYogi said:
Maybe going 6-7 finally won't cut it.

Go Bears!!
10 wins, no excuses, Wilcox on the hot seat
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falseintellect
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In reply to Strykur • 2:47p, 2/5/25
Strykur said:
PTownYogi said:
Maybe going 6-7 finally won't cut it.

Go Bears!!
10 wins, no excuses, Wilcox on the hot seat
100%. With this move, there is no way this is not his last season (obviously he will do poorly this year, because he has proven time and again that he ****ing sucks). I can survive one more wasted year, I guess. Considering I expected many more. Maybe we can even get a midseason firing- hey we got a great interim coaching candidate in house!
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chazzed
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In reply to calumnus • 2:52p, 2/5/25
calumnus said:
Great, great news!

People went out of their way to attack me for suggesting Rivera might come here for little compensation just out of his love for Cal.

Though for the same cost I rather have Rivera be the head coach and pay Wilcox not to coach. Maybe we get there before it is too late.
You called it (and wished for it, no doubt, like most of us).
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Haloski
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3:25p, 2/5/25
Tremendous!
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DiabloWags
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3:27p, 2/5/25
Conrats to Greg and Kevin for helping to facilitate this INCREDIBLE move!

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Rushinbear
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In reply to Sebastabear • 3:36p, 2/5/25
Sebastabear said:
Also posted on Insider but will add here as well.

Key has been not just getting this done but getting it done right. My argument is that the GM needs to have all hiring and firing ability for anything touching football - not just coaches but also admin. They also need to have their own P&L separate from the athletic department. And of course, be a direct report to the Chancellor. I think we have accomplished all three. But the implementation will be key. Must be ever vigilant.

Still an amazing day
Great news! Out of the box thinking.
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socaltownie
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3:44p, 2/5/25
That is just fantastic BOOM worthy news!!!
Take care of your Chicken
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SoFlaBear
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3:50p, 2/5/25
Welcome back to Cal Ron Rivera! Go Bears!
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TandemBear
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3:55p, 2/5/25
That was a nice surprise in my inbox today!

The impossible has happened! OMG, such amazing news!!!

I would leave it at that, but I simply HAVE to ask about the useless AD. Bummer he's still there. Or is he?

Since a HUGE aspect of his job has been forfeited (by him), his salary is being cut, right? Take some of that $1.3M and redirect it toward the more deserving recipient: Mr. Rivera! If Knownothing complains, send him packing!

Wow, things are indeed looking up.
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bear2034
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4:07p, 2/5/25
If Wilcox and his subsequent replacements don't work out, do we have to replace Ron too?
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