Cal football’s general manager Ron Rivera has set straightforward expectations for the 2026 season. When asked what success would look like, Rivera offered a direct answer: victories. The Bears are aiming higher than the mediocre consistency that has defined recent years, despite appearing in bowl games across the last three seasons.
The program is banking on several factors to drive improvement. Sophomore quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele enters his second year as a potential Heisman contender following an impressive freshman campaign. Head coach Tosh Lupoi, a program alumnus with extensive NFL and elite college experience, brings fresh energy to the sidelines. Additionally, Cal’s transfer class has garnered national attention, ranked 14th by 247Sports. Rivera expressed optimism about training camp progress, noting the energy and competitive intensity on both sides of the ball.
Attendance presents a critical challenge for the program. Last season’s average fell below 35,000 fans per game, marking a 25-year low despite early-season promise. However, donor support remains strong, with athletics receiving record donations of $88.5 million. To capitalize on renewed momentum, Cal removed blue and yellow tarps from the stadium’s south end bleachers, increasing capacity to over 70,000. The program has scheduled marquee home matchups against UCLA, Clemson, and Stanford to drive ticket sales and fan engagement throughout the season.
The Bears open their campaign September 5 against UCLA, another program navigating a coaching transition.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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