Cal football’s fall camp has commenced under a cloud of significant change, marked by an unprecedented roster overhaul and a restructured coaching staff, all aimed at reigniting the program’s competitive fire in the demanding ACC.
The program faces an immense task following the departure of 37 players through the transfer portal, leading to a substantial influx of 113 new student-athletes for the 2025 roster, with 31 of these newcomers joining only recently, after spring practice concluded. This dramatic shift highlights the dynamic landscape of modern NCAA Transfer Portal rules and their impact on team composition.
Head Coach Justin Wilcox has strategically bolstered his support system with the addition of former All-America linebacker and NFL head coach Ron Rivera, who steps into the pivotal role of the program’s inaugural general manager. Furthermore, the Cal Bears Football coaching ensemble features an almost entirely new offensive unit, including new coordinators Bryan Harsin for offense and Vic So’oto and Terrence Brown as co-defensive coordinators, signaling a fresh strategic direction.
To effectively integrate the numerous fresh faces and refine team cohesion, the Fall Camp 2024 agenda includes a distinct approach: the initial four practices will see players divided into separate Blue and Gold squads. This tactical division is designed to maximize individual coaching attention and provide crucial repetitions, particularly benefiting the large contingent of new players adapting to the College Football News environment.
In a notable shift from recent seasons, mirroring a growing trend across ACC Football, most practice sessions will be closed to both reporters and fans, a decision Wilcox partly attributes to the desire to maintain a strategic advantage regarding the new offense being implemented by Harsin. This measure underscores the palpable sense of urgency within a program striving to transcend a streak of competitive but ultimately losing seasons since 2019.
Despite being consistently competitive, Cal Bears Football has not achieved a winning overall record since 2019, nor a winning conference record since 2009, leading to a challenging outlook as media members covering the ACC recently projected the Bears to finish 15th in the 17-team league. Coach Wilcox articulated a clear, singular focus: “We’re trying to win games. Every week. I can’t think about it any other way than that,” emphasizing a relentless pursuit of improvement before the critical Oregon State game.
Amidst these sweeping changes, the team faces a significant setback with senior defensive tackle Nate Burrell, a veteran of 38 games and 21 starts, sidelined for the entire season due to a spring practice injury, though the team anticipates his return next season. Additionally, the camp operates under revised NCAA rules that have eliminated the distinction between scholarship and walk-on players, establishing a 105-player limit, yet allowing Cal Bears Football to maintain its current 113-player roster through a grandfathering clause for returning athletes.
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