Ron Rivera Not Returning to Panthers, Takes New Role at Cal
Recent online rumors and speculation have claimed that former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is returning to the organization as general manager. However, there is no factual basis for these claims. In reality, Rivera has accepted a new position that brings him back to his alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley — but not to the NFL.
In March 2025, the University of California officially announced that Ron Rivera would serve as the inaugural general manager of its football program. This newly created role, which was approved by the University of California Board of Regents, positions Rivera as a key figure in shaping the future of Cal football. He will oversee a range of responsibilities including player development, fundraising, recruitment strategy, and ensuring competitiveness in the rapidly evolving college football landscape.
Rivera, a former All-American linebacker at Cal, expressed his excitement in returning to the university where his football journey began. “I am fired up to be coming home. My love and passion for Cal has never changed, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future of our football program,” Rivera said in a statement. He also emphasized the importance of adapting to modern challenges in college sports, including the transfer portal and NIL (name, image, likeness) opportunities.
This move marks a major shift for Rivera, who has spent over a decade as a head coach in the NFL. He coached the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2019, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2015 season and earning multiple Coach of the Year honors. After his tenure in Carolina, he served as the head coach of the Washington Football Team (now Commanders) from 2020 to 2023.
As for the Carolina Panthers, the organization has undergone its own leadership transition. In January 2024, the team named Dan Morgan as the new president of football operations and general manager. Morgan, a former linebacker for the Panthers and an executive with the Buffalo Bills, was brought in to help reshape the team after a period of underperformance and front-office instability.
Given these developments, there is no indication—official or otherwise—that Ron Rivera is returning to the Panthers in any capacity. The rumors suggesting he would assume a general manager role with the franchise appear to be unfounded.
Rivera’s move to Cal represents a broader trend in football, where experienced professionals from the NFL are increasingly being recruited to help collegiate programs compete in a landscape influenced by new regulations, shifting conference alignments, and intensified recruiting competition.
In conclusion, while Rivera’s return to football leadership is certainly noteworthy, it will not be with the Carolina Panthers. Instead, his focus will be on helping the Golden Bears rise to prominence in college football once again — not leading an NFL front office. Fans of Rivera and the Panthers can appreciate his legacy in Carolina, but his future, for now, lies firmly rooted in Berkeley.