Ron Rivera Expects Tosh Lupoi-Led Bears 'To Be Better' In 2026 Season

BERKELEY — Ron Rivera has been back home for just over a year now.

Cal’s inaugural general manager was hired last March, before ex-Bears head coach Justin Wilcox’s ninth and final season, and now supports fellow alum and new skipper Tosh Lupoi in their shared goal of making the Blue and Gold a powerhouse.

“That’s kind of one of the reasons I came; I wanted to be that voice of experience to sit there and tell ‘em, ‘I can share that perspective with you.’ I can tell you what it takes,” he said.

The Bears, of course, finished the 2025 season with an underwhelming 7-6 record.

But as spring practices came to an end on Friday, on the eve of the Spring Game at Memorial Stadium and several months before Week 1 against UCLA, Rivera is optimistic about the direction Cal is heading in.

“What I’ve seen tells me we’re going to be better than we were last year,” Rivera said. “I believe that. We had a good team last year. But I do think, though, this team is capable of being better.”

The Bears sure have looked the part thus far. And Rivera made sure to highlight how the culture and approach Lupoi brings to the table daily have netted “all positives.”

When asked about the new-look roster, though, Rivera harped on the team’s additions at every position group, mentioning names such as Adam Mohammed and Carter Vargas in the backfield, Tristan Jernigan and AJ Tuitele at his old position of middle linebacker and Dorian Thomas and the “very strong” tight end unit.

Rivera, too, discussed quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s development, as the rising sophomore has flourished during another spring in Berkeley.

“First of all, you see his leadership skills have started to get better; he’s understanding how he fits within that scope,” Rivera said of Sagapolutele. “His decision-making; he’s always made good decisions, but you’re seeing them start to happen a little quicker, (and) the things that he’s comfortable with and knows well, those things happen almost automatically.

“There’s still some things that he’s still thinking through. He’s trying to understand the concepts of what (offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville) has brought in, as far as the offense is concerned.”

But Cal’s prowess beyond the gridiron has captivated Rivera as well.

He admires how Lupoi has set a standard rooted in connection and unity that reinforces “cohesion” among players and coaches; for example, Rivera cited how Somerville and quarterback coach Nick Rolovich have collaboratively bounced ideas off of each other to support the new-look offense.

“You learn that, for the most part, when you bring in guys through the portal, it can be transactional and really about the money, as opposed to where it is beyond that (and) it is a team thing (or) an individual becoming part of something.

“So, seeing how Tosh has built what is more of a unit I think is a good way to put it. That, to me, is very positive … What Tosh is doing is unique. He’s trying to focus more on the team-building, the bonding, the unit …”

The Bears don’t only have a locker room and staff that seem to work tirelessly for each other.

Elite recruits have recently been buying into what’s being built in Berkeley, as Lupoi’s focus on the “power of unit” and diligence appears to be paying off.

“It’s been ridiculous,” Rivera said of Lupoi’s recruiting. “He’s relentless. He’s a hard worker. He knows what needs to be said and shown. He wants (recruits) to understand that everything he’s gotten is earned.”

Lupoi obviously isn’t alone in this communal effort, though.

Assistant general manager Marshall Cherrington, who earned his new title after spending the previous four seasons as the Bears’ director of player personnel, merited much-deserved praise from Rivera.

“The biggest thing about Marshall, more than anything else, is his overall presence in the personnel group. He does a great job of heading up that department. He handles contracts very well for us. He’s a guy that’s going to grow and grow. He’ll grow into a role like what I do — and probably even more so.

“He understands the college game a lot better. I rely a lot on him and get a lot of background from him on a lot of things that are going on.”

Nonetheless, amid what has been a major group effort in Berkeley, the Bears enter Saturday’s Spring Game — and months before facing the Bruins — with promising energy and momentum.

Cal was a major winner of the transfer portal window. Cal flashed the promising signs it needed to during the spring. And now Cal has months to continue sharpening iron with iron, with what should be a thrilling season ahead.

“To come here, play major college football and graduate from this place is hard,” Rivera said. “And so there's a tremendous sense of pride when you do that.”

Since stepping into his new role, Rivera sure has helped supporters of the Blue and Gold rekindle that “sense of pride.”

Here are the details for the Bears’ Spring Game.