California Golden Bears football is in a rough spot. There’s a wave of player departures, power struggles behind the scenes, and honestly, the future feels pretty murky right now.
This week alone, 10 players transferred out—including every single running back. That’s not just a blip; it’s a turning point. High-profile donors are now pushing for newly appointed football GM Ron Rivera to get more say in how things run.
Let’s break down what’s going on with Cal football and wonder, just for a moment, where it’s all headed.
The Transfer Portal Exodus
The Golden Bears are watching players leave at a rate that’s hard to ignore. Twenty-two have transferred out so far, and 18 of them played on offense.
Losing all five running backs in one offseason? That’s almost unheard of. Jaydn Ott, their star, didn’t waste any time—he’s off to Oklahoma.
Impact on the Running Back Position
Cal’s always been proud of its running back tradition. Now, with Ott and three others—Kadarius Calloway, Byron Cardwell Jr., and Justin Williams-Thomas—gone, that tradition feels like a memory.
The staff hoped Jaivian Thomas would step up, especially after he led the team in rushing when Ott was hurt in 2024. But Thomas entered the portal too. That leaves just Jamal Wiley, who’s barely touched the ball, and freshman Anthony League, who isn’t even on campus yet.
Internal Power Struggles
It’s not just the players. Behind closed doors, things are tense. Two major donors tied to Cal’s third-party collective have gone public, saying they’ll stop donating unless Ron Rivera gets more control.
They’re pushing for Rivera—a Cal alum and former NFL coach—to run the show instead of Athletic Director Jim Knowlton or Head Coach Justin Wilcox.
Donor Influence and Demands
These donors say Cal focuses too much on Olympic sports. They worry the football program’s fading into the background.
Rivera’s got a ton of coaching experience, and they think he’s the one who can bring Cal back. Rivera himself has made it clear he wants to “drive the car,” with Chancellor Rich Lyons, Knowlton, and Wilcox just along for the ride.
Coaching Changes and Their Effects
The offseason shook up Cal’s offensive coaching staff. Every offensive coach is new, including running backs coach Julian Griffin and Offensive Coordinator Bryan Harsin.
Aristotle Thompson left for Northwestern, and Mike Bloesch was fired. But the new hires haven’t settled things down.
Challenges with New Coaching Staff
Word is, Bryan Harsin—who came from Auburn—just isn’t clicking with the team or the culture. Instead of calming things down, he’s made them worse.
Nick Rolovich joined as a senior offensive analyst. His firing from Washington State over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate still follows him, and some folks aren’t thrilled with the hire.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Back in the 2000s, Cal football was a big deal under Jeff Tedford. They stacked up eight straight winning seasons and went to seven bowl games in a row.
Since 2009, though, they’ve only hit eight wins twice. The 2024 season started hot at 3-0, including a win at Auburn, but then they lost four straight and finished 6-7.
Player Morale and Future Outlook
Losing quarterback Fernando Mendoza to Indiana hit the roster hard. To fill the gap, Cal brought in Devin Brown from Ohio State for 2025 and landed Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele through the portal.
Some insiders wonder if keeping Mendoza might have convinced stars like Ott to stay. It’s tough to say for sure.
People in coaching circles respect Justin Wilcox. He’s a sharp defensive mind and has turned down big DC jobs to stick with Cal. But with the roster looking thin, it’s hard not to question what comes next—and whether the boosters will keep backing him.
Conclusion
Cal football stands at a crossroads. The team faces a wave of player departures and some pretty intense internal power struggles.
High-profile donors keep pushing for more control. On top of that, major coaching changes have thrown the program into even more chaos.
The road ahead? Honestly, it’s unclear. Maybe a turnaround’s possible, but only if leadership can get it together and make some smart moves.
If you’re curious and want all the details, check out the original article on CBS Sports.
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