Quick Info
| Profession | American football coach and former player |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 07/01/1962 |
| Age | 64 years |
| Birthplace | Fort Ord, California, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
Latest News about Ron Rivera
California elevated Ron Rivera to Athletic Director of Football while he continued as the football program's general manager. The move gave him complete oversight of the football program with a direct reporting line to Chancellor Rich Lyons. It formalized a broader leadership role at his alma mater.
Rivera signed a three-year employment agreement with the University of California, fifteen months after being hired as the school's football general manager. The contract, backdated to March 2025, runs through March 2028. It sets out his duties, including overseeing the football revenue-share program and fundraising.
Rivera was inducted into the inaugural class of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Las Vegas. He was one of seven honorees in the 2026 class, which also included Tom Fears, Tom Flores and Jim Plunkett. He said he took great pride in his Hispanic heritage and in being selected.
Ron Rivera was hired as the first general manager of California football. The newly created role placed him in charge of major program operations, including staff oversight, revenue generation, fundraising, and donor engagement.
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Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Ronald Eugene Rivera |
|---|---|
| Known For | Former NFL linebacker and head coach; general manager at California |
| Notable Achievement | Won Super Bowl XX as a player with the Chicago Bears; two-time NFL Coach of the Year; inducted into the inaugural class of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame in 2026 |
Educational Qualification(s)
| College | University of California, Berkeley |
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Personal Life
| Current Residence | California, USA |
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Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Stephanie Rivera |
Career
| Playing Career | Played linebacker in the NFL for the Chicago Bears |
|---|---|
| Coaching Career | Served as head coach of the Carolina Panthers (2013–2019) and Washington Commanders (2020–2023); became the first general manager of California football in March 2025 and, in July 2026, added the role of Athletic Director of Football |
| Awards | NFL Coach of the Year (2013, 2015) |
| Other Honours | Bronko Nagurski Legends Award (2025); Hispanic Football Hall of Fame, inaugural class (2026) |
Favourites
| Favourite Sport | American football |
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Style Quotient
| Nickname | Riverboat Ron |
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Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Was a consensus All-American linebacker at Cal | |
| 2. Was part of the Chicago Bears' 1985 Super Bowl-winning team | |
| 3. Coached the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance | |
| 4. Has also worked in football administration at California | |
| 5. He and his wife Stephanie, a fellow Cal alumna and former Golden Bears women's basketball player, are Builders of Berkeley and consistent supporters of Cal athletics programs |
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