Here is a question - could he be OUR Pete Carroll? You have to figure he might be available come January - if not sooner.

I thought he did a decent job as the DC for the Chargers. He is obviously struggling with the Panthers but that is an organization that is not the best.

do struggling nfl coaches go to the ncaa to die, or do they view it as a minor league rehab stint? i'd much prefer an up and coming college coach from fbs or the like.

bearsandgiants;841966813 said:

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do struggling nfl coaches go to the ncaa to die, or do they view it as a minor league rehab stint? i'd much prefer an up and coming college coach from fbs or the like.

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Interesting thing is that Saban, Carroll, and closer to Pac-12 Riley have all been guys that couldn't make it in the NFL who thrived in an environment where they have much greater control over player personnel than in the pros.

bearsandgiants;841966813 said:

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do struggling nfl coaches go to the ncaa to die, or do they view it as a minor league rehab stint? i'd much prefer an up and coming college coach from fbs or the like.

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NFL is a higher league. Better player talent and better coaching talent. 32 NFL teams and about 120 D-1A teams.
So.... struggling NFL coach (who's still young), or up-and-coming NFL assistants... I consider them all.

socaltownie;841966818 said:

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Interesting thing is that Saban, Carroll, and closer to Pac-12 Riley have all been guys that couldn't make it in the NFL who thrived in an environment where they have much greater control over player personnel than in the pros.

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With Saban and Carroll it is simple-they can recruit superior athletes than their competition. That just isn't true in the NFL

I think we need to bring in someone who would create buzz and excitement- either a well known (maybe impossible because of money concerns) or an up and comer who is at a currently successful program.

Unfortunately I don't think Ron Rivera would meet those qualifications.

Bear defense vs. Oregon :p

LethalFang;841966819 said:

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NFL is a higher league. Better player talent and better coaching talent. 32 NFL teams and about 120 D-1A teams.
So.... struggling NFL coach (who's still young), or up-and-coming NFL assistants... I consider them all.

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Last year 6-10 and this year 1-3. I'd say we could do better than someone who hasn't a track record of winning-at least yet.

GB54;841966825 said:

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With Saban and Carroll it is simple-they can recruit superior athletes than their competition. That just isn't true in the NFL

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So your argument is that anyone can succeed at USC and Bama? The fact that Lane the Idiot is doing well is definitely a point in your favor.

GB54;841966834 said:

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Last year 6-10 and this year 1-3. I'd say we could do better than someone who hasn't a track record of winning-at least yet.

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What was Carroll's record with the Jets?

Not tha that couns for anythig, though if we could get Chris Petersen, I might think twice. RR is all Cal a Bear through and through.

I think he would create great buzz and at one time at least Cal was his dream job. I don't know that we could get him out of Carolina, maybe if they have a poor enough year.

socaltownie;841966836 said:

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So your argument is that anyone can succeed at USC and Bama? The fact that Lane the Idiot is doing well is definitely a point in your favor.

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My argument is that it is easier to win with better athletes than your competition and Saban and Carroll -while good coaches-are first of all great recruiters not great strategists a la Walsh, Belichek, etc. In the NFL recruiting is not an issue so they revert to the norm. Similar things have happened with Spurrier (12-20 in NFL) and Petrino (3-10 in NFL). I don't think it's just that they miss the college spirit.

I think Rivera would be a great hire if he is available. If not him I am hoping for a up and coming head coach in a lower division or non BCS conference. I like what San Jose St. has done to turn around their program. Wouldn't mind poaching their whole staff . Also the new coach down in Fresno has them playing hard.

Well pete carroll did exactly the opposite of this vs Texas in the NCG:

http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/features/2012/nfl_2012/week_4/ron_rivera_panthers_fourth_down_was_carolina_s_decision_dumb_enough_to_change_the_nfl_s_punt_to_win_philosophy_.html

That aside (it's just one decision) I don't know too much about Ron Rivera. Sure he went to Cal, but do we need that in a coach? And, well, is there any expectation for him to be available?

socaltownie;841966839 said:

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What was Carroll's record with the Jets?

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Carroll is 49-50 with three NFL teams but I concede your point. If Rivera is a superior recruiter he could be better suited to the college game.

I don't think that it is necessarily true that the NFL has more coaching talent than college football.

Sure, people Spurrier, PC, Saban, etc. have failed in the pros. But there are also counter examples of high end NFL coaches who suck as college coaches (Al Groh, Embree, Weis, Parcells, Levy, etc.).

Tedford is right about one thing -- NFL offenses all look the same. College coaches have to deal with a lot of different schemes. So I don't accept that the NFL is a superior brand of football with superior coaches.

That said, I would LOVE it if Sandy would hire Rivera.

As long as we're talking nfl retreads ... Jack Del Rio?

ColoradoBear1;841966849 said:

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Well pete carroll did exactly the opposite of this vs Texas in the NCG:

http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/features/2012/nfl_2012/week_4/ron_rivera_panthers_fourth_down_was_carolina_s_decision_dumb_enough_to_change_the_nfl_s_punt_to_win_philosophy_.html

That aside (it's just one decision) I don't know too much about Ron Rivera. Sure he went to Cal, but do we need that in a coach? And, well, is there any expectation for him to be available?

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NFL coaches that are 6 and 13 over the course of 1.25 years are not long for the world. He could easily be on the beach by December.

No expectation he will be available-to get canned after 2 seasons in the NFL, after he inherited a mediocre team? Not going to happen.
Did on-air work in Chicago, on TV and on radio(I should know, I hired him!). Excellent presence in both mediums. Rivera worked with the Bears as low level assistant, went to the Senior Bowl and sold himself to new Eagles coach Andy Reid as the Linebackers coach, Bears as the Defensive Coordinator, Chargers as the Defensive Coordinator.
Came to Cal as a very solid student-the essence of what we all would love the Cal players to be. So, then you say, but he hasn't recruited-his passion for Cal, and his presentation skills (looks, honesty, no bull personality, and respect for academics)would win over any parent and coach, let alone the kids. On the passion front-sit down with him and talk football, and he would rather talk Cal Bears than his Super Bowl Champion Bears.
Then you say, okay, defense expertise, what about the Offensive side of the ball? Ron knows so many people now, and he is smart enough and devoid of ego enough to surround himself with outstanding people.
If Sandy doesn't use him as a resource, then its Cal's loss.

Screw everyone else. Let's bring back one of our own...someone who exudes passion and gut.

HERMAN EDWARDS!!!!!

The difference is in execution and schemes.

Spurrier and Saban failed because as an earlier posted stated they could out athlete other teams in say 9/10 out of 12 games at the colege level whereas in the NFL all teams have talent it's rather a question of coaches being able to a) udnerstand their talent b) utilize it c) scheme to take advantage of their strengths while mitigating their weaknesses.

It doesn't mean Spurrier and Saban are bad coaches it just means that when you are 95%+ favorite in almost every game, you can still make a lot of msitakes and still win by 20+ points. You may have 2-3 games that are perhaps 50/50 or 60/40 in your favor. It's a lot easier to plan for 2-3 gaems than 16+ and it's a lot easier when your team can either outrun or run over the other team.

mbBear;841966864 said:

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No expectation he will be available-to get canned after 2 seasons in the NFL, after he inherited a mediocre team? Not going to happen.
Did on-air work in Chicago, on TV and on radio(I should know, I hired him!). Excellent presence in both mediums. Rivera worked with the Bears as low level assistant, went to the Senior Bowl and sold himself to new Eagles coach Andy Reid as the Linebackers coach, Bears as the Defensive Coordinator, Chargers as the Defensive Coordinator.
Came to Cal as a very solid student-the essence of what we all would love the Cal players to be. So, then you say, but he hasn't recruited-his passion for Cal, and his presentation skills (looks, honesty, no bull personality, and respect for academics)would win over any parent and coach, let alone the kids. On the passion front-sit down with him and talk football, and he would rather talk Cal Bears than his Super Bowl Champion Bears.
Then you say, okay, defense expertise, what about the Offensive side of the ball? Ron knows so many people now, and he is smart enough and devoid of ego enough to surround himself with outstanding people.
If Sandy doesn't use him as a resource, then its Cal's loss.

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When he was with the Chargers I thought he did a fantastic job as DC. I was both glade for him when he left but very sad for my Bolts.

I think Ron Rivera runs his contract, another 2 years. He seems to have Carolina pointed in the right direction. BTW, he makes in the neighborhood of JT.

beelzebear;841966902 said:

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I think Ron Rivera runs his contract, another 2 years. He seems to have Carolina pointed in the right direction. BTW, he makes in the neighborhood of JT.

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He is 1 and 3 having gotten blown out by the Jets and losing to Atlanta on a last second FG after giving up a LENGTHY drive.

This week the football gods smile on us cause either RR or Pete Carroll are getting a L since Seahawks play Panthers.

Seriously - if you love Cal football you are rooting every week for these teams to lose.

GoldenYears;841966918 said:

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I will never ever understand the fascination with this guy.

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Me neither, he's like Mike Singletary with a smaller cross.

mbBear;841966864 said:

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No expectation he will be available-to get canned after 2 seasons in the NFL, after he inherited a mediocre team? Not going to happen.
Did on-air work in Chicago, on TV and on radio(I should know, I hired him!). Excellent presence in both mediums. Rivera worked with the Bears as low level assistant, went to the Senior Bowl and sold himself to new Eagles coach Andy Reid as the Linebackers coach, Bears as the Defensive Coordinator, Chargers as the Defensive Coordinator.
Came to Cal as a very solid student-the essence of what we all would love the Cal players to be. So, then you say, but he hasn't recruited-his passion for Cal, and his presentation skills (looks, honesty, no bull personality, and respect for academics)would win over any parent and coach, let alone the kids. On the passion front-sit down with him and talk football, and he would rather talk Cal Bears than his Super Bowl Champion Bears.
Then you say, okay, defense expertise, what about the Offensive side of the ball? Ron knows so many people now, and he is smart enough and devoid of ego enough to surround himself with outstanding people.
If Sandy doesn't use him as a resource, then its Cal's loss.

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Ron Rivera would be a fantastic hire no matter what anyone here says about the Jaguars' record, but I don't think he is available--maybe in a year or two if Tedford sticks around? We have had Cal coaches quit for NFL jobs, if anyone were to quit an NFL job for the Cal job, it would be Ron Rivera.

sheki;841966874 said:

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Screw everyone else. Let's bring back one of our own...someone who exudes passion and gut.

HERMAN EDWARDS!!!!!

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Per wikipedia, Edwards moved every year in college:

1972 - Cal
1973 - JUCO
1974 - Cal
1975 - San Diego State

That is so odd.

Quote:

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Edwards played college football at the University of California in 1972 and 1974, at Monterey Peninsula Junior College in 1973, and at San Diego State in his senior year, 1975. He graduated from SDSU with a degree in criminal justice.

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The NFL season does not finish until late December. Even if an NFL coach gets fired, it will most likely be well after the end of the college regular season. If Sandy replaces JT, I hope the new coach is hired by December 1. I like RR, and I might be able to like PC, but I don't think either will be available when we need to make a decision.

sheki;841966874 said:

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Screw everyone else. Let's bring back one of our own...someone who exudes passion and gut.

HERMAN EDWARDS!!!!!

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I've repeated this over and over; I believe its very important to get someone with both Cal and Norcal ties. That is why if we can't get our dream candidates (ie Petersen, PC) then my choices are either Herm or Rivera.

Why do I like guys who have Cal and Norcal ties?

1. Berkeley is obviously a unique place, and any potential Cal coach will have to deal with their own unique challenges. I think it took Tedford an awful long time to "get" Cal. And we were actually fortunate that Tedford was one of the few who actually "got" it....eventually. Both Herm and Rivera obviously understand Cal and actually LOVE Cal because its a unique place. You get someone from the south or some other outsider, they're going to be a total fish out of water in Berkeley.

2. I want someone who WANTS to be here, rather than just seeing this job as a stepping stone. You get someone like Roman, and the second he sees some success at Cal, he's going to ditch you for the first NFL HC job he gets (sound familiar?) Both Rivera and Herm (at some point in their lives) have publicly stated that the Cal job is their dream job. I think that's important. Its important that both already bleed blue and gold. I remember back in 2004 hearing stories about Herm and how he was crushed, absolutely crushed that we didn't go to the rose bowl that year, that still resonates with me.

3. Obviously you want someone with Norcal ties and Cal ties because its easier to recruit. Rivera can go into a living room and say, I've been a student at Cal, I know what its like, I loved it there. Charlie Strong, or whoever, won't have that immediate advantage.

4. I also think you create the buzz factor by bringing home the prodigal son.

PC and Petersen are ideal, because they actually both have strong Norcal ties, and to a lesser extent, some Cal ties as well. but Herm and Rivera, in my mind, are the next group. the next group after them is pretty much going to be a crap shoot whoever you get.

25To20;841966958 said:

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The NFL season does not finish until late December. Even if an NFL coach gets fired, it will most likely be well after the end of the college regular season. If Sandy replaces JT, I hope the new coach is hired by December 1. I like RR, and I might be able to like PC, but I don't think either will be available when we need to make a decision.

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What if the OC or DC you wish to hire is bowling? And you really HOPE they are bowling cause that means they are good coaches. We don't want to hire someone who isn't dong football in December.

ducky23;841966963 said:

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I've repeated this over and over; I believe its very important to get someone with both Cal and Norcal ties.

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Seems like a good argument to me. I can't believe some of the few national pundits who are commenting on our coaching hotseat are totally ignoring this. "Cal should grab some third-level assistant from the SEC." Whatever.

Given our realistic set of options, Rivera would be a great choice. A lot of people who are saying no to this, I'm not sure who'd be good enough for them short of the reanimated corpse of Vince Lombardi.

Regarding Fresno - I want more of a track record if hiring an up and coming coach. A lot of coaches look good the first year. After a losing season, kids will listen. But Can he sustain it.

I would love Rivera. He would be able to recruit big time, so long as we gave him enough money to hire a really good OC.