BERKELEY, Calif. — With a storied NFL career spanning over three decades, Ron Rivera was at a crossroads. Offered the chance to step back onto the field as an assistant coach, he found himself captivated by a more challenging opportunity: leading the revival effort of the football program at his alma mater, the University of California. Rivera was recently appointed as Cal’s first-ever general manager for the football team, a move welcomed by the UC Regents.
“This is an opportunity to return home and give back,” Rivera stated. “The university was pivotal in my life, essentially serving as the springboard for my professional path, leading to 36 years in the NFL. I’m eager for a new challenge and there’s no better place to embrace it than right at home, helping the university.”
In his newly minted role, Rivera will answer directly to Chancellor Rich Lyons. Meanwhile, head football coach Justin Wilcox will maintain his reporting line to Athletic Director Jim Knowlton, who also reports to Lyons. Rivera plans to immerse himself in multiple aspects of the football program, attending practices, collaborating closely with Wilcox and his team, and mentoring the players, many of whom aspire to reach the NFL.
Rivera’s responsibilities will extend beyond the field. He aims to bolster revenue generation, fundraising, and engage with alumni and donors to boost enthusiasm and support for the team. “Many supporters have stood by us during challenging times,” Rivera remarked. “Now is the moment for change, and we must seize it together. My presence alone isn’t a solution, but a collective effort is.”
Following a rising trend in college football, Rivera joins an impressive lineup of individuals assuming general manager roles. Notably, Cal’s rival, Stanford, appointed former star quarterback Andrew Luck to a similar position. Additionally, former NFL executive Michael Lombardi and previous Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy hold these roles at North Carolina and Oklahoma, respectively.
Chancellor Lyons, who had been contemplating the introduction of a general manager for months, approached Rivera last December. This hiring reflects a renewed focus on football under Lyons’ leadership at Berkeley—an institution historically understated in athletic support. However, with Lyons’ influence since last summer, there’s a renewed commitment to fortify the program, aiming for greater success and increased alumni interaction.
“Alumni engagement is crucial to advancing our mission,” Lyons stated. “They contribute by recommending and hiring our students, teaching, and delivering guest lectures. We’ve just culminated a $7.3 billion capital campaign. It’s about enhancing Berkeley’s strengths to effectively deliver on our mission.”
Wilcox, entering his ninth season with a track record of 42-50, navigates a challenging path. The Golden Bears experienced a 6-7 season last year, their debut in the ACC, ending with a defeat to UNLV in the LA Bowl. They haven’t witnessed a winning season since 2019, nor appeared in the AP poll’s ranks since 2006, or in a prestigious bowl since the 1959 Rose Bowl.
“This is the world’s leading public institution,” Rivera insisted. “We excel academically. Why can’t we achieve the same result athletically, and do so with integrity?”
Rivera’s journey began at Cal as an All-American linebacker in 1983, leading to his NFL draft by the Chicago Bears in 1984. Winning the Super Bowl in his sophomore season, Rivera enjoyed a nine-year playing tenure. Transitioning into coaching in 1997, Rivera led Carolina for nine seasons and Washington for four, amassing a 102-103-2 regular season record and clinching AP NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2013 and 2015 with the Panthers. Of his five playoff appearances, his standout season was in 2015, guiding Carolina to a 15-1 record before a Super Bowl loss to Denver.
