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Ron Rivera Announces Surprise Career Move After NFL Interest

Despite receiving plenty of NFL interest this offseason, former Carolina Panthers HC Ron Rivera has announced a surprising career change.

By Devon Platana

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera before an NFL International Series game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera before an NFL International Series game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The Carolina Panthers have been fortunate enough to have employed some great coaches during their existence. While John Fox is an all-time fan favorite and current bench boss Dave Canales said a lot of things right in Year 1, there isn't a coach who Panthers fans love as much as Ron Rivera.

Nicknamed "Riverboat Ron," Rivera coached the Panthers to an impressive 76-63-1 record across nine seasons in Charlotte, NC. Carolina tasted playoff football four times during his tenure, highlighted by a 2015 NFC Championship Game appearance.

Rivera hasn't coached since he was with the Washington Commanders in 2023, leaving fans to wonder if he'd attempt an NFL comeback in 2025.

Panthers News: Ron Rivera Named California Golden Bears GM

Despite receiving professional interest in recent weeks, the former two-time NFL Coach of the Year is going back to school.

On Wednesday, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported that the University of California is naming Rivera as the football program's new general manager. The 63-year-old Fort Ord, CA native returns to his alma mater after spending four seasons (1980-83) as a Golden Bears linebacker.

Jones revealed also what Rivera's responsibilities might entail.

"Rivera’s position at Cal is expected to be similar to the one Andrew Luck took at rival Stanford," the NFL analyst wrote. "Helping the program, coaches, players, fundraisers, and athletics department navigate the new waters in college athletics."

Rivera's decision to return to the collegiate ranks is interesting, to say the least.

It isn't as if he wasn't garnering any NFL attention. In a separate X post, Jones mentioned that the ex-Panthers HC interviewed with the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Las Vegas Raiders since the 2024 campaign ended. He also added that Rivera "was also in the running" to join the Jacksonville Jaguars' staff.

So, why did Rivera choose to return to Cal? As it turns out, a fellow veteran HC's recent offseason decision played a factor in his collegiate return.

"Coach Belichick has made going back to school, cool," Rivera told NFL insider Mike Garafolo in a text. "Stay tuned I am coming home."

Bill Belichick — who dominated the NFL for two decades with the New England Patriots — was hired as North Carolina's head coach in December. Interestingly enough, the Tar Heels and Golden Bears are scheduled to face off in Berkeley, CA in mid-October.

Time will reveal what Rivera can do with Justin Wilcox, who's entering his ninth season as Cal's head coach. The Golden Bears are coming off a disappointing 6-7 performance in their ACC debut last fall, meaning they've now gone five consecutive seasons without a winning record.

Time will tell if Rivera has what it takes to bring Cal back to prominence. In the meantime, Panthers fans are wishing "Riverboat Ron" nothing but the best in his new endeavors.

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