A decade and a half after leaving Cal, Andre Carter is returning to the Bears football program.
The school announced in a press release that Carter has joined Sonny Dykes’ staff in the capacity of student assistant coach. Carter will assist Fred Tate in coaching the Bears’ defensive line.
Carter enrolled as an undergraduate at Cal earlier this year to pursue his bachelor’s degree in American studies.
“We are thrilled that Andre has returned to Cal to get his degree,” head coach Sonny Dykes said in a statement. “We are also looking forward to Andre being able to impart the knowledge he gained both on and off the field during a standout collegiate and NFL career to our players. He knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level of football and will certainly be a positive influence on everyone in our program.”
Carter was a consensus All-American in his final season at Cal in 2000. His final two seasons, he was a unanimous first-team All-Pac-10 selection as a defensive end.
The 13-year NFL veteran hopes this position will help launch a coaching career at either the collegiate or professional level.
“Returning to Cal to earn my degree has been a life-changing experience,” Carter said. “I have already accomplished what I wanted to in football by playing at the highest level but there will be no greater feeling than earning my degree from one of the nation’s top universities. That’s why I’m back. ...
“I feel I can impart the current players with the right way to play the game and the desire you need to have to be successful. There’s no greater satisfaction than becoming a coach.”
(Photo credit: Cal athletics)