Former NFL head coach Ron Rivera returning to Cal in general manager-like role

Rivera is taking a general manager-like role with the program, according to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, and he cited UNC head coach and former New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick as his inspiration for deciding to return.

Former NFL head coach Ron Rivera is returning to the University of California, Berkeley as a general manager-like figure for the football program, the school announced Wednesday.

Rivera, who played linebacker for the Golden Bears from 1980 to 1983, will be joining new head coach Justin Wilcox's staff after spending the last five seasons leading the Washington Commanders.

"I am coming home," Rivera said in a text message to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "Coach Belichick has made going back to school cool. Stay tuned."

After graduating from Cal, Rivera was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1984 NFL draft. He played nine seasons in the league, also suiting up for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

Following his playing career, Rivera began coaching in the NFL as a defensive quality control coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997. He spent 10 seasons with the Eagles before joining the San Diego Chargers as their defensive coordinator in 2007.

Rivera returned to the Eagles in 2011 as their defensive coordinator and was promoted to interim head coach after Andy Reid was fired following the season. He was named the full-time head coach in 2013 and led the Eagles to the playoffs in his first season.

After being fired by the Eagles following the 2015 season, Rivera was hired by the Carolina Panthers in 2016. He led the Panthers to the playoffs three times in five seasons, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2016.

Rivera was fired by the Panthers following the 2020 season and was hired by the Commanders in 2021. He led the Commanders to the playoffs in his first season but was unable to get them back there in the following three years.

Rivera was fired by the Commanders on Jan. 9, 2024 after finishing the season 4-13. He interviewed for the head coaching vacancies with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets this offseason.