Sources: Jim Knowlton is retiring as Cal's athletic director. He's been the AD at Cal since 2018. pic.twitter.com/MwS5zOfhL8

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 16, 2025

Really? Naw, can't be. Can it? Did they cut his pay since he's not in charge of football anymore?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Wow! Christmas comes early!

Wilcox, you now have 1 last year to prove it. Let's see who we hire as our new AD. 8 to 9 wins keep your job, 10 wins get you a 1 year extension, and anything else you are out.

Despite not knowing who that is, I am much more optimistic to entrust this new individual making the changes. (that's how bad it's been)

Does anyone know if we owe Knowlton anything? is this a buyout situation or strictly retirement?

TedfordTheGreat said:

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Wow! Christmas comes early!

Wilcox, you now have 1 last year to prove it. Let's see who we hire as our new AD. 8 to 9 wins keep your job, 10 wins get you a 1 year extension, and anything else you are out.

Despite not knowing who that is, I am much more optimistic to entrust this new individual making the changes. (that's how bad it's been)

Does anyone know if we owe Knowlton anything? is this a buyout situation or strictly retirement?

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Don't know but seems likely there would be some "incentives" for "retiring".

6956bear said:

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TedfordTheGreat said:

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Wow! Christmas comes early!

Wilcox, you now have 1 last year to prove it. Let's see who we hire as our new AD. 8 to 9 wins keep your job, 10 wins get you a 1 year extension, and anything else you are out.

Despite not knowing who that is, I am much more optimistic to entrust this new individual making the changes. (that's how bad it's been)

Does anyone know if we owe Knowlton anything? is this a buyout situation or strictly retirement?

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Don't know but seems likely there would be some "incentives" for "retiring".

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Has to be.... but since he didn't get to negotiate the terms we might see him leave without taking us to the cleaners...

petalumabear said:

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6956bear said:

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TedfordTheGreat said:

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Wow! Christmas comes early!

Wilcox, you now have 1 last year to prove it. Let's see who we hire as our new AD. 8 to 9 wins keep your job, 10 wins get you a 1 year extension, and anything else you are out.

Despite not knowing who that is, I am much more optimistic to entrust this new individual making the changes. (that's how bad it's been)

Does anyone know if we owe Knowlton anything? is this a buyout situation or strictly retirement?

---

Don't know but seems likely there would be some "incentives" for "retiring".

---

Has to be.... but since he didn't get to negotiate the terms we might see him leave without taking us to the cleaners...

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I am just happy he is going. This is a great day. The next hire is beyond crucial.

Now the work begins.

Rebuild. Move forward. Innovate.

. . . and Ron has the keys!

Source: Going forward, Cal football coach Justin Wilcox will report to football general manager Ron Rivera.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 16, 2025

petalumabear said:

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6956bear said:

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TedfordTheGreat said:

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Wow! Christmas comes early!

Wilcox, you now have 1 last year to prove it. Let's see who we hire as our new AD. 8 to 9 wins keep your job, 10 wins get you a 1 year extension, and anything else you are out.

Despite not knowing who that is, I am much more optimistic to entrust this new individual making the changes. (that's how bad it's been)

Does anyone know if we owe Knowlton anything? is this a buyout situation or strictly retirement?

---

Don't know but seems likely there would be some "incentives" for "retiring".

---

Has to be.... but since he didn't get to negotiate the terms we might see him leave without taking us to the cleaners...

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he took us to the cleaners from Day One.

Hoping Wilcox will be the next to retire

Fitting that this happened the week of Juneteenth

HURRAY, HURRAY, HURRAY!!! Ding dong the witch is leaving FINALLY!!

Not nearly as much as the ol' Pac 12 commissioner. That guy took us (and the rest of the Pac12) for DOUBLE the salary (one for commish and one for leader of Pac12 Network).

I'm just hoping he didn't hand out extensions on his way out the door.

Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

"Adios turd nugget."

pingpong2 said:

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Fitting that this happened the week of Juneteenth

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MilleniaBear said:

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Not nearly as much as the ol' Pac 12 commissioner. That guy took us (and the rest of the Pac12) for DOUBLE the salary (one for commish and one for leader of Pac12 Network).

I'm just hoping he didn't hand out extensions on his way out the door.

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Larry $cott was a pompous a^^hole that walked around like an entitled pri^^
Last I heard Annika Sorenstam was pimping him for LPGA Commissioner.
He made $50 million from the Pac-12

Canzano: Are we talking about the same Larry Scott?

BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

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I concede that he did it (can't imagine that Knowlton came to this decision on his own), but it took him how long?

BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

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It only took him a year to (finally!) get it done, even though he was supposed to be a Cal football fan and know what needed to be fixed from the get go. Knownothin should've been fired on Day 1. Lyons should've said, "Look, you know you screwed the pooch with the Teri McKeever situation. Either you resign immediately or I will publish a report saying how badly you screwed up and you'll never get another job again."

DiabloWags said:

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MilleniaBear said:

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Not nearly as much as the ol' Pac 12 commissioner. That guy took us (and the rest of the Pac12) for DOUBLE the salary (one for commish and one for leader of Pac12 Network).

I'm just hoping he didn't hand out extensions on his way out the door.

---

Larry $cott was a pompous a^^hole that walked around like an entitled pri^^
Last I heard Annika Sorenstam was pimping him for LPGA Commissioner.
He made $50 million from the Pac-12

Canzano: Are we talking about the same Larry Scott?

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Justin Wilcox will have made at least $50 million from Cal when he is done.

01Bear said:

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BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

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It only took him a year to (finally!) get it done, even though he was supposed to be a Cal football fan and know what needed to be fixed from the get go. Knownothin should've been fired on Day 1. Lyons should've said, "Look, you know you screwed the pooch with the Teri McKeever situation. Either you resign immediately or I will publish a report saying how badly you screwed up and you'll never get another job again."

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I don't know what's been going on behind the scenes, but I can think of some reasons why a new leader wouldn't want to just come in and fire all of the existing ones immediately. Sometimes you can start a mass exodus of employees (including those who actually are critical) by doing that.

01Bear said:

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BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

---

It only took him a year to (finally!) get it done, even though he was supposed to be a Cal football fan and know what needed to be fixed from the get go. Knownothin should've been fired on Day 1. Lyons should've said, "Look, you know you screwed the pooch with the Teri McKeever situation. Either you resign immediately or I will publish a report saying how badly you screwed up and you'll never get another job again."

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We did not have time to waste. Now we have an interim situation with one of the villains of the McKeever scandal in charge?

At least Ron Rivera is in charge of football with Wilcox reporting to him. Though that could have happened a year ago too.

Maybe we are not bringing in a new AD while we are downsizing the other sports?

Glad change is finally here.

Bearinsiders going wild.

sycasey said:

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01Bear said:

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BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

---

It only took him a year to (finally!) get it done, even though he was supposed to be a Cal football fan and know what needed to be fixed from the get go. Knownothin should've been fired on Day 1. Lyons should've said, "Look, you know you screwed the pooch with the Teri McKeever situation. Either you resign immediately or I will publish a report saying how badly you screwed up and you'll never get another job again."

---

I don't know what's been going on behind the scenes, but I can think of some reasons why a new leader wouldn't want to just come in and fire all of the existing ones immediately. Sometimes you can start a mass exodus of employees (including those who actually are critical) by doing that.

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Anyone who would leave because Knowlton was fired is not only not critical, their departure is welcome.

sycasey said:

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01Bear said:

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BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

---

It only took him a year to (finally!) get it done, even though he was supposed to be a Cal football fan and know what needed to be fixed from the get go. Knownothin should've been fired on Day 1. Lyons should've said, "Look, you know you screwed the pooch with the Teri McKeever situation. Either you resign immediately or I will publish a report saying how badly you screwed up and you'll never get another job again."

---

I don't know what's been going on behind the scenes, but I can think of some reasons why a new leader wouldn't want to just come in and fire all of the existing ones immediately. Sometimes you can start a mass exodus of employees (including those who actually are critical) by doing that.

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There's a significant difference between firing the clearly-in-over-his-head AD who was asleep at the switch in Cal Athletics's most perilous time and firing everyone in the department. From the very beginning, Knownothin should've been terminated with cause as a result of the McKeever scandal (he was either complicit and tried to cover up or he was entirely clueless about the department he was supposed to be running). It should not have taken a year to force Knownothin to take an early retirement (likely with a severance package*).


*The money for the severance package would've been better spent as damages for McKeever's victims, IMHO.

sycasey said:

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01Bear said:

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BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

---

It only took him a year to (finally!) get it done, even though he was supposed to be a Cal football fan and know what needed to be fixed from the get go. Knownothin should've been fired on Day 1. Lyons should've said, "Look, you know you screwed the pooch with the Teri McKeever situation. Either you resign immediately or I will publish a report saying how badly you screwed up and you'll never get another job again."

---

I don't know what's been going on behind the scenes, but I can think of some reasons why a new leader wouldn't want to just come in and fire all of the existing ones immediately. Sometimes you can start a mass exodus of employees (including those who actually are critical) by doing that.

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Unfortunately it is already too late for this season, but I'm hopeful next year Cal gets a fresh start, with new marketing, event planning, support for players and coach.

BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

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I don't know that anyone actually claimed that, but does it occur to you that it very well may not have happened if key benefactors didn't publicly force it too? That people with inside knowledge didn't think it was going to happen to the extent that they very publicly held the program hostage until they were convinced it was going to happen? I am still dumbfounded that the key people were not contacted at the time and told "Look, I know you are impatient, but I'm working on it. Knowlton will be gone. Rivera will be in charge. We can't say it now, but trust me and stop tanking our program".

It happened. Why don't you be happy? Otherwise maybe I should ask for apologies from:

Everyone who said 50 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 49 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 48 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 47 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 46 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 45 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 44 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 43 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 42 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 41 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 40 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 39 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 38 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 37 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 36 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 35 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 34 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 33 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 32 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 31 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 30 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 29 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 28 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 27 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 26 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 25 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 24 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 23 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 22 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 21 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 20 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 19 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 18 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 17 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 16 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 15 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 14 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 13 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 12 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 11 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 10 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 9 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 8 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 7 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 6 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 5 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 4 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 3 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 2 years ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around; and
Everyone who said 1 year ago that Cal sports was on the precipice of turning things around.

Everyone over the last 50 years that has claimed that Cal is mismanaging athletics has been correct. Odds are that if we wait a billion years, sooner or later Cal will have a good year. When that happens that year won't prove a billion years of "just wait until next year" guys right.

Kudos for the chancellor for I assume orchestrating Knowlton's departure. I will be beyond ecstatic to laude the chancellor for turning around Cal sports when that happens. That time is not yet here. If firing incompetent people was the key to national championships, Cal would have dozens by now. The key is not having them in the first place. Whoever wants to turn Cal revenue sports into a successful operation has a lot of hard work in front of them and I imagine that task might defeat a lot of very talented people. Today one very important good thing happened. Many more good things need to follow.

TedfordTheGreat said:

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Wilcox, you now have 1 last year to prove it. Let's see who we hire as our new AD. 8 to 9 wins keep your job, 10 wins get you a 1 year extension, and anything else you are out.

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Yeah, no matter what happens, this is likely the end of Wilcox at Cal after next season. Unless it exceeds expectations and I mean really exceeds them. The new AD will likely want their person on the job. That's pretty common. But who knows? Maybe this thing with Harsin comes together and we end up with a better than average for Wilcox type of defense.

01Bear said:

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sycasey said:

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01Bear said:

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BearSD said:

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Every commenter here who claimed that this would never happen owes the chancellor an apology. (Not that we should expect any of those folks to publicly admit they were wrong.)

---

It only took him a year to (finally!) get it done, even though he was supposed to be a Cal football fan and know what needed to be fixed from the get go. Knownothin should've been fired on Day 1. Lyons should've said, "Look, you know you screwed the pooch with the Teri McKeever situation. Either you resign immediately or I will publish a report saying how badly you screwed up and you'll never get another job again."

---

I don't know what's been going on behind the scenes, but I can think of some reasons why a new leader wouldn't want to just come in and fire all of the existing ones immediately. Sometimes you can start a mass exodus of employees (including those who actually are critical) by doing that.

---

There's a significant difference between firing the clearly-in-over-his-head AD who was asleep at the switch in Cal Athletics's most perilous time and firing everyone in the department. From the very beginning, Knownothin should've been terminated with cause as a result of the McKeever scandal (he was either complicit and tried to cover up or he was entirely clueless about the department he was supposed to be running). It should not have taken a year to force Knownothin to take an early retirement (likely with a severance package*).


*The money for the severance package would've been better spent as damages for McKeever's victims, IMHO.

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I mean, I would have gotten rid of him immediately too, but again I don't know what the internal politics were.

Rushinbear said:

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I concede that he did it (can't imagine that Knowlton came to this decision on his own), but it took him how long?

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Yeah this was likely coerced. My question is: Did he take the call from Colorado Springs? Haha. A zoom call while WFH? Haha.

BancroftSteps said:

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TedfordTheGreat said:

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Wilcox, you now have 1 last year to prove it. Let's see who we hire as our new AD. 8 to 9 wins keep your job, 10 wins get you a 1 year extension, and anything else you are out.

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Yeah, no matter what happens, this is likely the end of Wilcox at Cal after next season. Unless it exceeds expectations and I mean really exceeds them. The new AD will likely want their person on the job. That's pretty common. But who knows? Maybe this thing with Harsin comes together and we end up with a better than average for Wilcox type of defense.

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Cal has had 15 years of losing record in conference. Last 8 under Wilcox. That needs to change this year or we need to make a change. To be honest, I'm not convinced that Cal makes a change if Cal wins 7 or 8 games but finishes in the bottom half of the conference. Today those odds go up because:

1. Cal is demonstrating some willingness to change. Am I entirely convinced this change would happen without Rivera being available and willing to do his old school a solid? Not really. It is actually quite an easy and inexpensive change to make. But they made it. We'll see if there is more to come.

2. Because of #1, there is hope that rich alums who have closed their wallets might be willing to raise the buyout. I think if not, we are still in waiting mode. But I would be reasonably optimistic on this.

3. Wilcox is status quo. Change is bad for status quo.

The odds go up and everyone should support that. But it seemed a no brainer that spending $500M on a refurbished stadium meant that Cal was irreversibly changing its outlook on football and somehow that turned out to be untrue. Compared to that, this is the kind of change that has been pretty standard for Cal historically.

It also depends on Rivera being really good at this which is yet to be seen. Hard to believe he won't at least be an improvement over the last two that oversaw the football program, but we could improve tenfold over those guys and still not be where we need to be. As someone who saw Rivera save Joe Kapp's bacon against Texas A&M in what is probably the single most obvious instance of a player bailing out a coach in the history of sport, I hope he can do it again.