Ron Rivera Addresses Media After Recent Cal Football Roller Coaster

Rivera emphasized that there is a plan but to what extent all questions are answered remains to be seen

It’s been a tense week with a bevy of changes for Cal fans. Reports have surfaced that the new offensive staff wasn’t inserting themselves well with a lot of the returning players. I’ve heard some of the same. It’s now led to an exodus that has deflated Bears fans around the world as more of their beloved players departed for other pastures.

Newly appointed Cal Football General Manager Ron Rivera was made available to the media amidst this storm and was questioned about his role in picking up the pieces and to what extent his powers reach. The general manager role is in its infancy at the college level and Cal is one of many programs still trying to figure its fit.

Adding in the factor of Rivera’s reporting structure of going straight to Chancellor Rich Lyons, its understandably a time where Cal fans want stability and answers more than anything. Rivera was looking to provide some of that as he met with the media Monday afternoon.

Ron clarifies where he sits in the car

The former Cal linebacker has had the phrase “give the keys” and “drive the car” thrown around to him from all sides. Rivera was peppered with questions about how that will take shape alongside Jim Knowlton and Justin Wilcox, emphasizing that this will be a working relationship with Wilcox and that he will have the power to make necessary recommendations and decisions when it comes to operations, personnel, and staff.*

When those situations arise, Ron clarified that he will present those necessary options and decision to the Chancellor, whom he trusts to execute on those plans if necessary. Additionally, there’s the burden of dealing with revenue sharing and the house settlement in the world of NIL. Rivera stated that he will be the one in charge of everything along that front, and is wearing that responsibility on his shoulder. Ron explained that he will keep the Chancellor aware of big numbers getting thrown around as there will be multiple people having to answer for big numbers.

*Ron wasn’t asked further on the dynamic with him and Jim Knowlton, who has largely been ignored amongst all of this

“I will be involved with all facets of Cal Football” - Ron Rivera

Community needs to be revived despite the transfers

Ron Rivera noted that Cal is not the only program going through a wave of transfers. However, the manner in which this has fallen out is notable and a bigger flare up than most are used to in this fandom. While the sentiment in general is true, the how as opposed to the what is the driving force behind the dismay on the offensive side of the ball to this point.

With that said, Ron Rivera was staunch in declaring that he and the rest of the staff have a lot of work to do in rebuilding relationships. This includes donors and fans from around the area in building a foundation for excellence. Rivera described this era as a “very interesting time for the University” in the sense that it CAN become both academically and athletically excellent at the same time. He explained that getting the football program to that standard is what he was brought in to do and has every intention of getting there.

On the field, it starts with getting more players in the building given all the attrition. There was talk of a “plan” and executing it, but no details were divulged. On the other side, off the field dynamics need a lot more nurturing but he feels empowered to complete that task.

What if anything was learned?

Simply put, Cal Football has had mountains of negative press over the last few weeks. Putting Ron Rivera to talk to the media is a first step in getting a look at to what the dynamics are on the inside straight from the source but that’s just one step. Rivera said all the right things, but its not as if this is an introductory press conference.

This is currently a time of crisis for the Bears where they are trying to fight off an ever growing rockslide.

Ron was direct about his goals and aspirations, less so about how exactly those will get done if he runs into a predicament. There was clarity in that Rich Lyons trusts him to do his job when it comes to the tough decisions and that he will work with Justin Wilcox to build up Cal Football to be the best version it can be. However, it seemed as if there was a small tune out of Jim Knowlton throughout this process. No one really knows where he stands amongst all this and it remains to be seen what happens when adversity strikes in this system.

The biggest enemy for Cal? Time.

All this talk is fine but its time to get work as Rivera stated in his press conference. This program needs results and empty promises along with indecision will not suffice.

You can view Ron Rivera’s full press conference below