This past season, we saw Bill Belichick turn a year away from coaching as an NFL analyst into a head coaching gig at the University of North Carolina. And it turns out, this inspired fellow former NFL coach Ron Rivera to make a similar move on Wednesday.

Rivera, who last coached in the NFL last season with the Washington Commanders, joined NFL Network back in August where he has served on select shows like Good Morning Football and NFL GameDay Live throughout the season. Prior to this, he also made an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter in what appeared to be an audition of sorts for an NFL analyst role.

Similarly to Belichick, it was expected that Rivera’s brief media career would ultimately be to set up a return to the NFL as a head coach in 2025. However, after interviewing with both the New York Jets and Chicago Bears for their respective head coaching vacancies and not getting the jobs, Rivera has opted to follow in Belichick’s footsteps and head to the collegiate game.

In a post on X where he actually cited Belichick’s move to UNC, Rivera announced that he will be returning to his alma mater, the Cal Golden Bears, which we learned in a report from Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports will be in a general manager-like role.

“Coach Belichick has made going back to school cool,” wrote Rivera. “Stay tuned I am coming home. Go Bears!”

Coach Belichick has made going back to school, cool. Stay tuned I am coming home. @CalAthletics @UCBerkeley @Cal #GoBears🐻

— Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) February 5, 2025

In recent years, we have seen general manager roles become more popular in college sports. Former ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of course decided to return to his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, to become the general manager of their men’s basketball program back in September.

Still, it is somewhat surprising to see someone like Rivera, who has over two decades of experience as an NFL coach, decide to take an administrative role where he will reportedly be involved in the “budget and student-athlete experience” instead of a hands-on coaching role like he is used to.

Rivera will certainly have his hands full in reviving the football program of his alma mater. The Cal Golden Bears have notably finished under .500 each of the last five seasons, including a 6-7 season in their debut year in the ACC.