The University of California, Berkeley football program is at a crossroads. Following a 31-10 loss to arch-rival Stanford in the Big Game, Cal general manager Ron Rivera made the decision to part ways with ninth-year head coach Justin Wilcox. The move, announced on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, ends a tenure that saw Wilcox compile a 48-55 record but fail to produce a winning season since 2019. The Bears, who started the 2025 campaign 5-2, stumbled down the stretch, losing three of their final four games to finish the regular season at 6-5 ahead of a finale against SMU. This loss to a 4-6 Stanford team proved to be the final catalyst for change, marking the 14th FBS program to make a coaching change in this cycle.
With the vacancy now official, the focus for Cal football shifts entirely to the future. Rivera, in his first year as GM, is tasked with a critical hire that will define the program’s trajectory in the ACC. The search gains added urgency as conference rival Stanford moved swiftly to name Tavita Pritchard, a former Cardinal quarterback and assistant, as its new head coach. This gives the Cardinal a potential edge in the crucial early signing period and transfer portal windows. Rivera has indicated he won’t rush the process, but the pressure is on to find a leader who can make the Bears nationally relevant.
A leading internal candidate is interim head coach Nick Rolovich. The Bay Area native and former head coach at Hawaii and Washington State brings prior head coaching experience, a passion for Cal, and an understanding of West Coast recruiting. His appointment as the interim for the season finale provides a natural audition. However, Rivera’s shortlist appears extensive and varied, looking at candidates from both the college and professional ranks. Names linked to the Cal football coach opening include former Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan, whose offensive pedigree and local ties could appeal to freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, and successful program-builders like James Madison’s Bob Chesney and New Mexico’s Jason Eck.
The search also considers coordinators with high-powered resumes, such as Oregon co-offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, the latter of whom has deep roots with Cal from his playing days under Jeff Tedford. Other potential fits include UC Davis head coach Tim Plough, a former Cal assistant, and former NFL offensive coordinators like Ken Dorsey and Scott Turner, the latter having worked extensively with Rivera in Carolina and Washington. The decision will signal Rivera’s vision for rebuilding the Cal football program, whether he prioritizes proven head coaches, innovative offensive minds, or defensive stalwarts with recruiting chops.
This pivotal moment for Cal football comes as the program navigates its new reality in the ACC. The coaching hire will be instrumental in shaping the Bears’ identity and competitiveness in their expanded conference. With a promising young quarterback in Sagapolutele and a GM determined to elevate the program, the next chapter for Cal football is about to be written, and all eyes are on Ron Rivera to select the architect.