BERKELEY — New Cal soccer common supervisor Ron Rivera met with reporters for 35 minutes through a Zoom name on Monday, addressing two points on the minds of Golden Bears’ followers:
— Rivera stated he’s rallying donors to offer the cash wanted to stop the exit of key gamers to the switch portal, however harassed each soccer program within the nation is coping with this.
He stated efforts had been made to maintain star operating again Jaydn Ott from departing to Oklahoma.
“It’s not the end of the world,” he stated of the defections. “We have a plan of action.”
— He additionally stated that he has final authority over all facets of the soccer program, together with on problems with hiring and firing, and that he reviews on to Chancellor Wealthy Lyons. A minimum of a pair to heavy-hitter donors have indicated they wished assurances Rivera has that clout.
Rivera, a former All-America linebacker at Cal who twice was a coach of the 12 months within the NFL, agreed to fulfill with reporters after a wild few days final week the place a dozen gamers — together with 5 operating backs — entered the switch portal.
Ron Rivera Linebacker California Golden Bears
Ott was the headliner, however the Bears additionally misplaced tight finish Jack Endries, their prime receiver a 12 months in the past, to Texas. And No. 2 operating again Jaivian Thomas, a grad from Oakland’s McClymonds Excessive who performed a key position final season when Ott was hobbled by a nagging ankle damage, likewise indicated his intention to switch.
Rivera stated Cal anticipated sure gamers would possibly determine to go away.
“Yeah, there’s at least one we wish didn’t go in,” he stated, an obvious reference to Ott, who rushed for 1,315 yards in 2023.
There typically is negotiating between this system and a participant who enters the portal, Rivera stated. He stated there have been discussions with Ott, a grad scholar who was thought-about one of many prime operating backs accessible within the switch portal.
“Did we give Jaydn Ott a great shot? I believe we did,” he stated. “Sometimes an athlete feels I’ve accomplished all I can here, it’s potentially time to move on. If that’s what the young man decides, we just want to wish him the best.”
Requested if Cal had adequate sources to bid towards different faculties, Rivera acknowledged, “You come up against some pretty strong competition. . . . There were a couple teams, their resources were a little more.”
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 10: California Golden Bears’ Jaydn Ott (6) goes up within the air to attain a landing towards UNLV Rebels’ Jordyn Morgan (25) within the first half of their soccer sport at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
Close to Thomas, who nonetheless hadn’t made a public assertion about his plans going ahead, Rivera would solely say this system makes an attempt to have conversations with anybody they want retain.
Placing Cal on even footing financially with elite packages is a part of the brand new place he holds. To donors, he steered, “This is not an expense. This is an investment at a shot of being excellent.”
Moreover with the ability to supply athletes NIL cash, universities within the 4 energy conferences are anticipated to be accredited to make annual profit-sharing funds totaling $20.5 million to athletes starting within the fall.
Coming from a professional background, Rivera stated the NFL has a steadiness with income sharing and a wage cap that’s absent within the new faculty sports activities panorama.
“There’s not this chaos that’s going on right now,” he stated.
Rivera, who stated he and head coach Justin Wilcox have a collaborative relationship, was requested repeatedly if he has final authority over this system.
“I do have that, other than the chancellor,” he stated. “I would like to believe he’s going to trust me, which I believe he does.”
Rivera returned to his alma mater as a result of he desires the soccer staff to excel. Wilcox has led the Bears to back-to-back bowl appearances however Cal has not had a profitable season since 2019.
“We’ve got to become relevant again,” stated Rivera, including that he desires this system to compete for ACC championships and to get into the Faculty Soccer Playoff. “I know that’s Justin’s goal. That’s why I’m here.”
