Cal has two replacements for Jim Knowlton, who announced his retirement on Monday. https://t.co/uYcdla5wqO

— SFGATE (@SFGate) June 18, 2025

Clown show

AXLBear said:

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Clown show

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They won't be around for very long

An important first step to get rid of Jimmy K needed to happen first. Things will fall into place

JB was a Chieftain said:

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An important first step to get rid of Jimmy K needed to happen first. Things will fall into place

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Eventually. Hopefully before it is too late. Cal is just not operating like there is any time pressure.

If we don't get a replacement by fall, the interim director will be around for another 7 years.

Yikes! Hopefully, this pushes Cal to hire a real AD immediately.

Sure seems like a hit piece by the newspaper. Its interim and necessary.

bear2034 said:

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If we don't get a replacement by fall, the interim director will be around for another 7 years.

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I'd like to think that it took this long because he was getting a replacement lined up. Or, did I just forget that he is an academic first and a business guy second?

More affirmation that the top level of administration is committed to tokenism as respects intercollegiate athletics.

MilleniaBear said:

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Sure seems like a hit piece by the newspaper. Its interim and necessary.

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Yes, but honestly I'm glad the local press is calling this out. It's when Cal can operate without anyone noticing that they get lazy. You need to shame them into acting.

01Bear said:

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Yikes! Hopefully, this pushes Cal to hire a real AD immediately.

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Don't hold your breath.

"In his place, Cal has promoted deputy athletic directors Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O'Neill to be co-athletic directors for the next academic year. UC Berkeley isn't searching for a long-term replacement at this time, according to the news release."

Strykur said:

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AXLBear said:

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Clown show

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They won't be around for very long

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LOL! DON'T BET ON IT.

TandemBear said:

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01Bear said:

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Yikes! Hopefully, this pushes Cal to hire a real AD immediately.

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Don't hold your breath.

"In his place, Cal has promoted deputy athletic directors Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O'Neill to be co-athletic directors for the next academic year. UC Berkeley isn't searching for a long-term replacement at this time, according to the news release."

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Yeah, I saw that. Hopefully, the article puts a spotlight on Cal administrators to find a full time permanent replacement AD who will work in Berkeley and be proactive and provide genuine leadership to the program. For far too long, the athletic department languished under poor (or worse) leadership with no real sense of direction except downward.

I was assured that Rich Lyons is a fan and will resolve the issues in the athletic department. I'm still not convinced those assurances were accurate, as it took him a year just to get Knownothin to leave. Trying to remedy the ills that plague the athletic department at this glacial pace only means Cal will end up going the way of the University of Chicago and no longer participating in Division I athletics.

TandemBear said:

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01Bear said:

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Yikes! Hopefully, this pushes Cal to hire a real AD immediately.

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Don't hold your breath.

"In his place, Cal has promoted deputy athletic directors Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O'Neill to be co-athletic directors for the next academic year. UC Berkeley isn't searching for a long-term replacement at this time, according to the news release."

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UC Berkeley is like, "why do we need an athletic director?"

bear2034 said:

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TandemBear said:

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01Bear said:

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Yikes! Hopefully, this pushes Cal to hire a real AD immediately.

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Don't hold your breath.

"In his place, Cal has promoted deputy athletic directors Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O'Neill to be co-athletic directors for the next academic year. UC Berkeley isn't searching for a long-term replacement at this time, according to the news release."

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UC Berkeley is like, "why do we need an athletic director?"

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Perhaps the answer is "Not Yet". Seems to me what we need from an AD as far as football is concerned, is someone highly connected in College Football circles and very knowledgeable of the current football landscape especially with regard to the future of conference realignment and how Cal can be a player in that future.

Who is that person willing to come to Cal without any evidence of the changes in the football program/culture and evidence of the potential for success in the future?

I don't think jumping into a new AD in the near future would be a good idea and would likely result in a less than desirable choice. But if Cal football gains some national attention again for program and its changes and success on the field, then perhaps the right AD can be found to finish the job of Cal Football success.

We need success on the field and we need it NOW. The addition of a whole new Offensive staff, Ron Rivera, and the removal of Knowlton all bodes well.
Now they must prove things on the field. I fully expect if Cal has another 5-6 win season and poor conference showing, Wilcox's removal will be the next change. Like the guy, but we have to win this year! No excuses.

GO BEARS







GO BEARS

Cal football needs more effective *overt* marketing instead of *covert* marketing (Gruden video xeets, calgorithm posts).

The media agreement is what it is and is not going to bring in more $ or recognition. Cal football can generate more revenue and recognition by getting butts in the seats. Is there really anything else that can generate revenue? Merchandse? Why can't I buy any of the stuff that Gruden was showing us? (maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but, for example I'd love to buy that grey T with the cal bear paw the right breast).

bluehenbear said:

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Cal football needs more effective *overt* marketing instead of *covert* marketing (Gruden video xeets, calgorithm posts).

The media agreement is what it is and is not going to bring in more $ or recognition. Cal football can generate more revenue and recognition by getting butts in the seats. Is there really anything else that can generate revenue? Merchandse? Why can't I buy any of the stuff that Gruden was showing us? (maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but, for example I'd love to buy that grey T with the cal bear paw the right breast).

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There were plenty of items in the Gruden video that I wanted to buy, including the block C cap! The online student store does not have it (or at least not a fitted cap). Where did Ron Riviera get all that gear to send to Gruden?

DaveBear said:

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bear2034 said:

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TandemBear said:

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01Bear said:

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Yikes! Hopefully, this pushes Cal to hire a real AD immediately.

---

Don't hold your breath.

"In his place, Cal has promoted deputy athletic directors Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O'Neill to be co-athletic directors for the next academic year. UC Berkeley isn't searching for a long-term replacement at this time, according to the news release."

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UC Berkeley is like, "why do we need an athletic director?"

---

Perhaps the answer is "Not Yet". Seems to me what we need from an AD as far as football is concerned, is someone highly connected in College Football circles and very knowledgeable of the current football landscape especially with regard to the future of conference realignment and how Cal can be a player in that future.

Who is that person willing to come to Cal without any evidence of the changes in the football program/culture and evidence of the potential for success in the future?

I don't think jumping into a new AD in the near future would be a good idea and would likely result in a less than desirable choice. But if Cal football gains some national attention again for program and its changes and success on the field, then perhaps the right AD can be found to finish the job of Cal Football success.

We need success on the field and we need it NOW. The addition of a whole new Offensive staff, Ron Rivera, and the removal of Knowlton all bodes well.
Now they must prove things on the field. I fully expect if Cal has another 5-6 win season and poor conference showing, Wilcox's removal will be the next change. Like the guy, but we have to win this year! No excuses.

GO BEARS

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5 or 6 wins with another losing conference record is clear. Given how easy the schedule is that would be another face plant. Wilcox would be gone.

What will be tougher is 7 or 8 wins going 4-4 or even 5-3 in conference. It will still be underachieving given how easy the schedule is, but a ton of people will argue it is a great achievement and that Wilcox needs to be given the opportunity to build on it in year 10. Then they will argue he needs an extension for "recruiting."