California manager Chelsea Spencer ejected during first game of ACC Tournament against Georgia Tech

California Golden Bears manager Chelsea Spencer was ejected during the team’s first game of ACC Tournament against Georgia Tech. They’re ended up losing by eight to the Yellow Jackets.

It was an unceremonious end to California’s ACC Tournament dream. Earlier this season, Spencer was extended by the Golden Bears, as the program had hopes of sustained success in 2025 and beyond.

“We are excited to extend Chelsea’s contract as she continues to lead our program to the upper echelon of college softball,” California Director of Athletes Jim Knowlton said via a press release. “Chelsea has already accomplished a lot during her time guiding our team and I know there are even greater things to come. Her experience as a national champion student-athlete here at Cal and her proven leadership as a coach makes her the perfect fit to continue to lead us into the future.”

Moreover, Spencer is in his fifth season as the Golden Bears leader. She led Cal to 37 overall wins in 2024, its most since the 2015 season. Their first season in the ACC didn’t go as planned, and now they’re left wondering if their resume is strong enough to warrant postseason consideration.  

“I am grateful and honored for the opportunity to stay at the helm of this program and to lead it to the heights that it once was,” Spencer added. “The investment that Jim Knowlton and our senior leadership have put into this softball program is tremendous. This commitment to passionate leadership and relentless dedication to the game underscores the alignment in our shared vision, goals and values.

“A top educational institution coupled with continued investment into our program will propel us to be the premier West Coast destination for all softball players and will give us the chance to win a national championship again.”

Time will tell what the future holds for Chelsea Spencer at California. She’s been a tremendous leader for the program, but Wednesday’s game would certainly be a tough way to end the 2025 season, if this is it for the Golden Bears this year.