BERKELEY – When Michael Saffell was playing center at Cal, he told himself he would never be a coach.

Apparently, he didn't make enough of a convincing argument to himself.

Saffell, along with fellow former Cal offensive lineman Gentle Williams, have joined the Golden Bears staff as student assistant coaches after each being forced to medically retire before the season.

"I promised myself I would never coach," Saffell said. "It never crossed my mind that I would ever be a coach. But I'm slowly falling in love with it."

Saffell started every game at center in each of the past two seasons and made 23 starts during his career. He had hoped to play one more season for the Bears but was advised by doctors to stop playing.

Williams hadn't played since 2018 because of injuries but had been working to come back in 2021, as well. Shortly before the season, it was also determined he could no longer play.

Each briefly took time off during training camp before realizing they wanted to continue being involved with the program. Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox was able to bring them on as student assistants with the offense, with an obvious focus on the offensive line. Saffell and Williams are each enrolled in the UC Berkeley Certificate Program in Business Administration.

"Unfortunately, both of them had their careers end unexpectedly," Cal offensive line coach Angus McClure said. "They were really excited about their final year at Cal. Thankfully, coach Wilcox wanted them to be part of the program and was able to facilitate not only their needs, but our needs, as well. A lot of guys would just walk away from the program. Those guys want to give back and help their university and their football program. I just think it's a credit to those guys for wanting to do that."

Williams and Saffell room together, along with quarterback Chase Garbers and special teamer Matt Horwitz. With Garbers and Horwitz practicing and Saffell going back home to Huntington Beach after retiring, Williams suddenly found himself without football and much more time on his hands. He started showing back up at practices and ultimately asked McClure if he could help out in a more defined role.

"After about two weeks into fall camp, I realized I still needed to be part of the program in some type of way," Williams said. "I wanted to have some type of role and help out. It all happened a little too fast for me. I thought stepping away is what I needed to do mentally. But when I was home just thinking, I realized I need to still be part of it in some fashion. I feel like being here helps me more than I help them. I wasn't able to step away from the game on my own terms."

Saffell said his original plan was to simply show up to practice once a week and attend home games. But after a week, he started attending practice every day. Now, Saffell finds himself attending as many offensive meetings as he can – not just the offensive line.

"The more knowledge that I have about what we are doing helps us on the field," Saffell said. "If I'm going to coach, and I do want to pursue this, I better learn everything I can about offense. I'm having fun with it. There is a lot of energy out there, and it beats sitting at home."

On gamedays, Williams sits in the press box on a headset with the other offensive coaches and charts plays and defensive personnel. Saffell charts on the sideline.

"It's extremely valuable having guys that have played for me and been around me and understand what I am looking for," McClure said. "They sit in on meetings so we are all on the same page. When you have guys see things through their eyes the way I want them to, it is really helpful."

Williams acknowledges he isn't interested in pursuing coaching past this season and plans on starting a job in commercial real estate in January. But since he had already invested so much into the 2021 season, he needed to still be part of the team in some fashion.

"I just at least had to finish the season that I had prepared for over the last year or so," Williams said. "Mentally, it's tough. Football comes to an end for everyone. It just depends on when and how. Of course, it was hard for me. But I understood everything happens for a reason. That's what I've always leaned on."

Saffell said retiring wasn't as difficult because of what he had already accomplished as a player, but that doesn't mean he isn't missing competing. Still, the experience he is gaining now as a student assistant coach may have given him a new career path to pursue.

"Before being our teammates, they are just great friends. So to have them around is awesome," said junior offensive lineman Matthew Cindric, who has replaced Saffell as the team's starting center. "They are really insightful. You definitely see that leadership side of them now. At the end of the day, they are still the same guys you came to love and know who they are as friends. That's the biggest thing. We love having them around."