Ron Rivera, the coaching maverick known for his witty leadership and iconic NFL journey, has just dropped a bombshell announcement. In a move that sounds like it’s straight out of a Hollywood reboot, the former Washington Commanders head coach is heading back to his roots at Cal. “Coach Belichick has made going back to school, cool. Stay tuned I am coming home. @CalAthletics UCBerkeley Cal #GoBears,” Rivera texted, blending with college pride like a scene from The Big Lebowski meets Friday Night Lights.
Starting with his college days at UC Berkeley, where he bagged consensus All-American honors and was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in ’83, Rivera’s journey was as epic as any Marvel flick. Drafted in the 2nd round in ’84 by the Chicago Bears, he was a key cog in the defense that clinched Super Bowl XX in ’85—talk about a winning script!
His coaching resume is equally cinematic. With the Panthers from 2011-19, he secured a 76-63-1 regular season record, four playoff trips, and an NFC Championship in 2015 that led to Super Bowl 50. His stint with the Commanders from 2020-23 saw a 26-40-1 record, but he still managed a playoff berth in his debut season despite a 7-9 record. Ever the optimist, he once quipped, “Somebody will say, ‘Oh, if you go 19-0 you win the Super Bowl.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah it does, but let’s take it one game at a time.’”
After a brief gig with NFL Network in 2024, his return to Cal in Feb 2025 marks a full-circle moment. With 102 wins, 103 losses, and 2 ties in the regular season and a postseason tally of 3-5, Rivera remains the only coach to lead losing teams to the playoffs twice—proving that every underdog has its day.
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