Cal GM Ron Rivera interviews for Arizona Cardinals head coaching job, report says

Cal football general manager Ron Rivera interviewed for the vacant Arizona Cardinals head coaching position, according to the Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Russini posted the news Tuesday afternoon on X, prefaced by the line, "This flew under the radar." She previously reported that former Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris, Jacksonville defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur are the leading candidates for the Arizona job.

The Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon after they finished 3-14 this season. Gannon was 15-36 in three years with Arizona.

Rivera, 64, is a two-time NFL Coach of the Year. He coached Carolina for nine seasons (2011-19), including leading the Panthers to a 15-1 regular-season record and the NFC championship in 2015. They lost to Denver in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

Rivera also spent four seasons (2020-23) leading the Washington Commanders. His career record as an NFL head coach is 102-103-2.

Cal officially named Rivera as its first general manager in March 2025, giving him complete authority over the football program. Rivera fired longtime head coach Justin Wilcox on Nov. 23, the day after the Bears lost 31-10 to Stanford in the Big Game.

Cal ultimately finished its season at 7-6, after falling to Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. Rivera hired Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi as the new head coach of the Bears.  

Rivera was an All-America linebacker at Cal. He was a second-round draft choice of Chicago 1984 and played nine seasons for the Bears in the NFL.

Rivera did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

This article originally published at Cal GM Ron Rivera interviews for Arizona Cardinals head coaching job, report says.