Ron Rivera formally joined California’s soccer program on Thursday.
Early final month, the previous NFL head coach revealed that he is returning to his alma mater in an unspecified function. On Thursday, Cal formally welcomed Rivera again because the soccer basic supervisor.
Within the newly created job, Rivera will assist develop fundraising and income alternatives so Cal “can compete and win on the highest stage.”
“The soccer program is an indispensable a part of our college and our neighborhood. And, so, we’re taking the steps vital in order that the crew can excel within the modified panorama of intercollegiate athletics,” Chancellor Wealthy Lyons mentioned in a press launch. “The mixture of Ron’s unbelievable soccer acumen and his highly effective dedication to his alma mater makes him an ideal match for this new function. It’s an unprecedented alternative to attain the excellence I do know our program is able to.”
Rivera performed 33 video games at Cal from 1980 to 1983. The linebacker was named an All-American and the Pac-10 Defensive Participant of the Yr in his ultimate season earlier than the Chicago Bears drafted him within the second spherical.
Rivera spent over a decade on quite a few NFL staffs earlier than changing into the Carolina Panthers head coach in 2011. He led them to a 76-63-1 file over a nine-year tenure that included 4 playoff appearances and a visit to the Tremendous Bowl.
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After getting fired late within the 2013 season, Rivera rapidly discovered a brand new head teaching gig with the Washington Commanders. They went 26-40-1 over 4 seasons earlier than new possession changed him with Dan Quinn final offseason.
Rivera will now oversee a Golden Bears crew that is gone 6-7 in every of the final two seasons. They have been 2-6 in ACC play after becoming a member of the convention in 2024.
“I’m fired as much as be coming residence,” Rivera mentioned in Thursday’s announcement. “My love and keenness for Cal has by no means modified, and I could not be extra enthusiastic about the way forward for our soccer program. I stay up for working with Chancellor Lyons as we glance to Jim Knowlton, Justin Wilcox, and all of our employees and gamers to compete for championships as we transfer ahead on this new and quickly altering period of faculty soccer.”
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