I know many here will be pleased, and it is indeed time. I will however add that on a personal level I always found him to be a good guy and committed to Cal. For all our failings and on the football and basketball sides, he gave us 8 years of service with some notable achievements. Let's be gracious and offer our best wishes.
Hey, feel free, but you can’t expect everyone to share in your impression.
He did irreparable harm to the revenue sports that in the long run may end up costing Cal its entire athletic department. He flat out lied to coaches, donors and staff. For being committed to Cal he spent a helluva lot of time in Colorado Springs.
His being forced out is the best news possible for Cal Athletics. I only hope it is not already too late.
Again, no disrespect intended TKE, but my experiences were a little different and from what I know, I simply can’t just wish this guy all the best as he tries to land that coveted greeter spot at the Walmart in Parker CO.
When it comes to the Colonel, I am nothing if not consistent in my feelings. ;-) And given the poison he had become to portions of the donor community, a new direction at the AD position was needed for any substantive change to come about.
Knowlton and Christ may have been a passable combination back in the ‘80’s, when Tom Hansen presided over the Pac-10 in an era where the networks did not run the revenue-sports world, academics actually mattered and the NIL/portal didn’t exist. But in THIS era, they were woefully inadequate.
Hopefully the next AD understands the importance. We’ll see.
Tom Holmoe was a good guy too. What's that old saying about good guys? 🤔
I'm shocked by this news. Cal is usually so slow to adapt & figure things out. Let's face the facts - Knowlton was WAY out of his league in this new world. The most surprising thing to me was how quickly he'll be gone. 🙏 that this starts a new era for us long-suffering alums & fans! GO BEARS!!! 👍🙌
With the Raiders gone, the East Bay is ripe for the plucking in football marketing!!! People like Alpha 1906 and me have been bemoaning the obvious, easy marketing/community connecting moves that could be made for years.
I almost spit out my coffee reading the official Cal statement!!!! Complete mediocrity for the football program, a disastrous men's basketball program, total mismanagement of the swimming & diving scandal, helping to blow up the beloved Pac12, and negotiating a 40% share for a terrible ACC conference revenue stream - this will be Jim Knowlton's legacy. Good bye JK!
In the quest to get everybody at Cal rowing in the same direction, this was a big oar in the water. Made smaller somewhat with the creation of the football GM position and arrival of Rivera, but still a big oar that needs to row in the same direction. Row Bears!
Definitely a necessary move. Knowlton seemed like a nice enough guy but I don't believe he was even close to being up to the current and future challenges we face.
It’s about time, writing has been on the wall for years. He was a complete disaster . Watch the powers to be hire incompetent people again. For once fo something right.
Lyons is following through on his promises around athletics. This is great!
I know many here will be pleased, and it is indeed time. I will however add that on a personal level I always found him to be a good guy and committed to Cal. For all our failings and on the football and basketball sides, he gave us 8 years of service with some notable achievements. Let's be gracious and offer our best wishes.
Hey, feel free, but you can’t expect everyone to share in your impression.
He did irreparable harm to the revenue sports that in the long run may end up costing Cal its entire athletic department. He flat out lied to coaches, donors and staff. For being committed to Cal he spent a helluva lot of time in Colorado Springs.
His being forced out is the best news possible for Cal Athletics. I only hope it is not already too late.
Again, no disrespect intended TKE, but my experiences were a little different and from what I know, I simply can’t just wish this guy all the best as he tries to land that coveted greeter spot at the Walmart in Parker CO.
Go Bears!
Jimmy dropping truth bombs as per usual!
Noice, Jimmy C., well played! I knew I could count on you.
When it comes to the Colonel, I am nothing if not consistent in my feelings. ;-) And given the poison he had become to portions of the donor community, a new direction at the AD position was needed for any substantive change to come about.
Knowlton and Christ may have been a passable combination back in the ‘80’s, when Tom Hansen presided over the Pac-10 in an era where the networks did not run the revenue-sports world, academics actually mattered and the NIL/portal didn’t exist. But in THIS era, they were woefully inadequate.
Hopefully the next AD understands the importance. We’ll see.
Also worth noting that the major Cal sports didn't do that well in the 80s.
Tom Holmoe was a good guy too. What's that old saying about good guys? 🤔
I'm shocked by this news. Cal is usually so slow to adapt & figure things out. Let's face the facts - Knowlton was WAY out of his league in this new world. The most surprising thing to me was how quickly he'll be gone. 🙏 that this starts a new era for us long-suffering alums & fans! GO BEARS!!! 👍🙌
Serious question: what notable achievements?
He outlined what he felt they were in his parting statement...
Wilcox is a very good guy and committed to Cal too. Some people are really great people, and may be very talented, but can fail at certain jobs.
FYI I'm still hoping Wilcox great success, as long as he is our HC.
I'm all in with Wilcox for this season.
Why not? If he wins, we win.
Fair. He's always been gracious. Not sure quite how many notable achievements he's accomplished here though. It's been a dirge.
Good riddance.
This is fantastic news…
One down, one to go.
I must wonder how it was done, because this was clearly not entirely his choice.
"Retire or..._____?
This is a bigger relief than when Blockbuster got rid of late fees
Also a glorious day!!
Football marketing needs a complete overhaul. Current efforts at filling the stands is pathetic.
Think that’s in the works, including engaging with Oakland
Make it actually feel like college again.
With the Raiders gone, the East Bay is ripe for the plucking in football marketing!!! People like Alpha 1906 and me have been bemoaning the obvious, easy marketing/community connecting moves that could be made for years.
Is our great national nightmare finally over??? Probably not, but the danger I feel is a slight bit of hope shining through :')
Happy Retirement, Jim!
Best news ever!!
I almost spit out my coffee reading the official Cal statement!!!! Complete mediocrity for the football program, a disastrous men's basketball program, total mismanagement of the swimming & diving scandal, helping to blow up the beloved Pac12, and negotiating a 40% share for a terrible ACC conference revenue stream - this will be Jim Knowlton's legacy. Good bye JK!
Let him boast all the achievements if that's what it takes to get rid of him.
In the quest to get everybody at Cal rowing in the same direction, this was a big oar in the water. Made smaller somewhat with the creation of the football GM position and arrival of Rivera, but still a big oar that needs to row in the same direction. Row Bears!
Definitely a necessary move. Knowlton seemed like a nice enough guy but I don't believe he was even close to being up to the current and future challenges we face.
I now know how Michael felt when Toby left on The Office.
Let me be the first to welcome ~ myself ~ back to the Cal community.
Okay good, I will start donating to school again.
They need you the most when its the most bleak
It’s about time, writing has been on the wall for years. He was a complete disaster . Watch the powers to be hire incompetent people again. For once fo something right.
Yes!