FB: New Coach? - Printable Version
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RE: FB: New Coach? - Nobadeer - 03-25-2025
Wonder if Jason Garrett is still interested? He was in the running to succeed Shaw in 2022.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35212193/sources-jason-garrett-troy-taylor-stanford-finalists
BrevinsBest - BrevinsBest - 03-25-2025
How about someone like Troy Walters? He’s coaching one of the best wr tandems with the Bengals, but it’s probably the best we could do.
RE: FB: New Coach? - 82lsju - 03-25-2025
of our head coaching hires over the last ~20 years
- Troy Taylor - previously head coach Sac St
- David Shaw - internal promotion, he came to Stanford with
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach USD
- Walt Harris, head coach at Pitt
- Buddy Teevens, assistant OC Florida
- Tyrone Willingham, assistant coach Rice
unless there is a major change in who we'd try to hire and the perception of the desirability of the job I have a hard time seeing us hiring a "big name"....we'll see......
RE: FB: New Coach? - fullmetal - 03-25-2025
It's not that we wouldn't go after a big name if the fit were right. It's that the big names, by and large, don't want to deal with admissions, values/standards, etc. They're probably used to having a lot of people make way for them at football factory schools, and that's just not the case here.
RE: FB: New Coach? - gailtate - 03-25-2025
When all's said, done and written, Stanford will get the coach it deserves at this moment. He may or may not be the guy we need. Therein lies the rub. And it's the paradox of Stanford football today. Good speed, Andrew Luck. We're rooting for you and hope your colleagues thoughout the Stanford community support you in word and deed.
RE: FB: New Coach? - Card10Fan - 03-25-2025
Tavita Pritchard.
RE: FB: New Coach? - crackpot - 03-25-2025
(03-25-2025, 04:49 PM)Card10Fan Wrote: Tavita Pritchard.
+1 (if I'm not considered)
RE: FB: New Coach? - msqueri - 03-25-2025
I put together some thoughts right before the news and am reposting here in case of interest/to spur thoughts:
I don’t know if Troy Taylor is in his last week at Stanford, his last nine months, or has us over such a barrel financially that the Taylor era could endure further still. But there is so little hope or enthusiasm around the program that my mind keeps coming back to wanting there to be a coaching search and turning the page. I’ll throw out some thoughts in the hope of eliciting reactions/seeing what others think/hopefully hearing a few inspiring names bandied about.
If we jettisoned Taylor before or during the 2025 season, the in-house options are sparse. The two most experienced leaders on the staff, Gregory and D’Onofrio, are now gone. April has a pedigree but is light on experience. He is probably the most stable option as it would maintain as much continuity as possible while elevating the part of the staff that evidently has not alienated the team.
No matter who an interim coach is, it’s hard not to shudder at the fate of the offense. Taylor has made himself literally indispensable to the offense. (A sad comment considering we have sucked on offense during his tenure) Absent a miracle a Taylor-less 2025 offense would potentially contend for one of the worst in power football history. I am having trouble even envisioning who could be in charge. I think we’d be so desperate that having a brilliant amateur like Andrew Luck or Todd Husak step in would have to be in the realm of discussion.
If we moved to fill the position more permanently, there are of course fewer options now than there would be in November or December. The first place one would think to look would be unemployed coaches. I started to post that Luck might be inclined to consider us a mutually beneficial option for his ally/mentor/confidant Pep Hamilton (not saying I’d recommend this) but then I remembered Hamilton just returned to coaching with the offensive coordinator job at Maryland. Nonetheless, I would not be surprised if that’s a call whenever the job comes open. Among the currently unemployed (at least as coaches), the mind first races to shock the world pipedreams like Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Chris Petersen. I’d make the calls if I were Luck but that’s almost surely day dreaming.
Something that strikes me as more realistic would be offering to be career reclamation/a path back to a power job for somebody like Jimbo Fisher, Gary Patterson, Pat Fitzgerald, Paul Chryst, or Justin Fuente. This might be one of the flashier things we could do. I realize there are baggage with some and likelihood of mediocrity with others (I’d bet Chryst or Fuente would be pretty mediocre at Stanford but I’d take it at this point) but I don’t think we should be dissuaded from considering one of the better combinations of safe/splashy potentially out there for us.
if we wait until the end of the season our options would presumably open up more. One route I can’t get out of my head is the possibility we could buy low when a better program gives up on their head coach. It is possible one or more of the following could get their walking papers or otherwise find themselves under too much pressure to be fun: Kalen DeBoer, Mike Norvell, Mike Gundy, Mark Stoops, Luke Fickell, Brian Kelly, Lincoln Riley, Billy Napier, Hugh Freeze. I realize some would be non-starters and most would probably not consider slumming to our level but this is a caliber of coach that if I were Luck I’d strain every ligament sprinting to the airport.
The other splashy route I can’t get out of my head is the former NFL head coach route. The combination of that route’s empirical success, connection to the zeitgeist/professionalization of college football, and Luck’s Rolodex makes that intriguing. The first name that pops to mind for me is Matt Eberflus. I would be intrigued by the Cowboys DC/former Bears head man. Luck also has close ties with Rob Chudzinski, though he was only an NFL head coach for a year. Luck’s network is of course broader than who he shared locker rooms with but there aren’t a ton of options that jump out to me (Brandon Staley maybe, and I have written in the past about Jerod Mayo’s unique and appealing fit).
Luck could also look to his network to elevate someone to a first time head coach role. At first blush Kentucky DC Brad White and Tavita Pritchard strike me as the rising stars. But again, nothing to say it has to be somebody who shared the same locker room.
Looking beyond Luck’s network, my ambition for us is always that we could strive for a proven baller college coach. We never do this and it would require money, plus a hell of a sales job to convince somebody to leave a better program. But I will just say for the record that poaching somebody like Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Chris Klieman, Sonny Dykes, Bret Bielema, Curt Cignetti, PJ Fleck, Dave Aranda, or Jamey Chadwell would be the fastest way to my heart.
I am cognizant that my ambition may exceed Stanford’s grasp. A pretty conventional path for a Power Four coach is a Group of Five coach who has succeeded. We should keep an eye this fall on how the following (and others) do: Bob Chesney, Jon Sumrall, Jeff Monken, GJ Kinne, Chuck Martin, Tim Albin, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Mike Uremovich, Butch Jones, Clay Helton, Bronco Mendenhall.
A lot of those guys aren’t good geographic fits (which I hope we wouldn’t consider a deal breaker but they might). The same is true for rising star coordinators, which, given the success of blue blood coordinators moving up in recent years, we might want to kick some tires on. I have to think Glenn Schumann, for instance, has a big job in his future. I’d be shocked if he picked us, but you don’t make shots you don’t take.
One name arguably stands alone in how enticing it would be: Chip Kelly would be a fun way to turn the page on this era of Stanford football.
This is all just idle day dreaming and, ultimately, Stanford’s financial and institutional constraints will play a big role. There are issues related to fit that will loom large that I haven’t dwelled on here. But if we are moving on from Taylor now or at the end of the year I would love to know who folks would want. It doesn’t seem to me there is currently an obvious route.
RE: FB: New Coach? - MarinCard - 03-25-2025
Excellent thoughts as always, msqueri. April definitely seems like the guy who’d be tapped for interim if that’s the way it goes. Like you, I shudder to think what that offense will look like under a Taylor-less Taylor staff.
I’d love to be on that Saban call as a fly on the wall. You have to make the call, he knows ball well enough to respect the program’s heritage, and his comments of recent indicate an alignment with how Stanford does things. Zero chance he takes it, but would probably offer advice and perspective on candidates.
Of the names proffered beyond the surprise ones: Monken and Bronco pop as the best fits in terms of experience set, integrity, and football.
If there’s an institution with an even harder recruiting and academic qualification road than us, it’s Army. What he’s done there is miraculous, and he’s come very close to getting snapped up in some other Power search processes. The hangup has been that he runs the option at Army, though it sounds like he wouldn’t be wedded to it elsewhere much like Niamatalolo down the road at SJSU. (If that’s how it works out, good for those guys for getting to a warmer climate.)
Bronco’s been at BYU and Virginia, both programs that are on the more rigorous side in terms of recruiting/AQ. Thanks to the Mormon Church’s spread, he’s had national recruiting exposure, too. The performances he orchestrated at UVa and New Mexico more recently were big stretches vs past performances and expectations. As someone who also holds a UVa degree, I’ve only heard awesome things about him and his commitment to doing things the right way.
The NFL prospects are much more of an unknown to me, but that’s where Andrew’s connections and his very recent experience in that world can give us a unique edge in identifying talent.
Chip would be a disaster. The guy wouldn’t lift a finger to recruit at UCLA, whatever offensive edge he had has been neutered by 15 years of absorption into the game, and he demonstrated he had no desire to be the head man when he peaced-out for the OC gig at tOSU. Plus after his Niners run, I can imagine this area only has painful associations, lol.
If we hire Brian Kelly, please tell me where near the stadium I can self-immolate.
RE: FB: New Coach? - Farm93 - 03-25-2025
Our prior hires over the last 30 years were not in the elite coach tier with the exception of Walsh 2.0.
Elite coaches could expect at least $9 million per year to return to college football unless they are well beyond their prime. Just doesn't seem like the coaches would want to come to Stanford and, more importantly, Stanford would not want to pay the going rate for big name coaches.
So back to the more realistic options....
Given the way the portal works here in 2025 one place of value would be to snag coordinator that is a net loser in the now open transfer portal. Imagine a mid level FBS team that has a strong QB on their roster, but the QB jumps into the portal to join a program with HC potential. In situations like that the offensive coordinator might be an option since one of the reasons to stay would have just left the program this week.
The other path I really hope Luck considers will be African American NFL coordinators or position coaches. There are dozens of African American coaches in the NFL that are more or less stuck in their current roles. They get invited to interviews for HC roles every year but the owners seem to always find some other option. Many of these coaches should have received NFL head coaching roles by now, but they just don't get that chance.
Given Stanford's strong legacy with African American coaches I would hope Stanford could find someone willing to give Stanford a try. That route would probably give us someone in the Dennis Green situation where the new hire will be looking for NFL roles before their first season is over, but at least the hire might impress recruits. And unlike in Dennis Green's era the players could always use the portal to leave if the coach lands an NFL role in 2026 or 2027, so getting a chance to work with a coach fresh from the NFL could be compelling with little downside. If the coach is good enough to finally get that head coaching spot in the NFL in 2026 or 2027, then presumably the players were part of a turnaround story that should enable them to secure big NIL deals in the SEC or BigTen.
RE: FB: New Coach? - BostonCard - 03-25-2025
What’s David Shaw doing?
BC
RE: FB: New Coach? - Goose - 03-25-2025
(03-25-2025, 07:06 PM)BostonCard Wrote: What’s David Shaw doing?David Shaw is the passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions. I am somewhat assuming BC is joking, but as an interim I can kind of see it. I am not sure the majority of the fans would see it that way though, and I doubt Shaw wants such a job.
BC
RE: FB: New Coach? - BostonCard - 03-25-2025
Yes, I’m trolling. But while I’m at, what about Tabitha Pritchard?
BC
RE: FB: New Coach? - jacket3ree - 03-25-2025
We'll have plenty of fun being absurd (throw coeds at Belichick!!) about it, but my first thought was 'what is Jim Grobe doing?' because he held the fort at scandal-ridden Baylor after Briles was terminated. Without opening a can of comparison to Taylor, the circumstances were not that different. Grobe knows the ACC from back when, which is irrelevant. They paid him about $1 million for a single season in 2016 and hired him at the end of May. Baylor finished 7-6 and 3-6 in the Big12, which is better than Taylor could ever do. They were admirably mediocre, which again is better than Taylor could ever do. Baylor started the Matt Rhule era immediately thereafter. They sucked his first year. Expect something similar at Stanford because this is a complete crap fest. But he recruited like crazy and he got back to Grobe levels the following year, and made the Big 12 championship a year after that, before bolting to the NFL before COVID. Dave Aranda took over and Baylor has been all over the map since.
Always happy to push for the best coach my son ever had. Major Kavan Lake, USMC, ret. He is a retired helicopter pilot with combat experience, industrial engineer, and superb photographer now in Phoenix. Played for Bobby Bownden at FSU. Also Ultimate Men's Health Guy Finalist 2014 Finalist when he lead Navy Sprint to the CSFL title in a romp over Army. Probably doesn't play at Stanford, but the Mids would not only run through a brick wall for him, they would eat the broken pieces. The kid's been out 10 years but this never gets old for me. Major Lake is at 2:00 and right at the end. Carter Reading, USMC (#16) is the current coach. My son, who coached during his TDI is #20.
At least everyone would be in fantastic shape
Too bad Coach K is in San Jose or he'd be a good one to talk to. The best we can hope for is to get lucky and someone high up in the administration really does care about this not being a national embarrassment.
RE: FB: New Coach? - cardcrimson - 03-25-2025
(03-25-2025, 08:16 PM)BostonCard Wrote: Yes, I’m trolling. But while I’m at, what about Tabitha Pritchard?She was great in the original Bewitched!
BC
Actually, Tavita was mentioned positively an other site, including by me. Apparently a great relationship with Andrew. . . .
(03-25-2025, 07:06 PM)BostonCard Wrote: What’s David Shaw doing?Also mentioned in my list of potential candidates I posted on a different site. I hope this isn't taken as an ad hominem attack, but you're thinking a lot like me. . . .
BC
Mudhead - Mudhead - 03-25-2025
9
(03-25-2025, 06:31 PM)Farm93 Wrote: Our prior hires over the last 30 years were not in the elite coach tier with the exception of Walsh 2.0.
Elite coaches could expect at least $9 million per year to return to college football unless they are well beyond their prime. Just doesn't seem like the coaches would want to come to Stanford and, more importantly, Stanford would not want to pay the going rate for big name coaches.
So back to the more realistic options....
Given the way the portal works here in 2025 one place of value would be to snag coordinator that is a net loser in the now open transfer portal. Imagine a mid level FBS team that has a strong QB on their roster, but the QB jumps into the portal to join a program with HC potential. In situations like that the offensive coordinator might be an option since one of the reasons to stay would have just left the program this week.
The other path I really hope Luck considers will be African American NFL coordinators or position coaches. There are dozens of African American coaches in the NFL that are more or less stuck in their current roles. They get invited to interviews for HC roles every year but the owners seem to always find some other option. Many of these coaches should have received NFL head coaching roles by now, but they just don't get that chance.
Given Stanford's strong legacy with African American coaches I would hope Stanford could find someone willing to give Stanford a try. That route would probably give us someone in the Dennis Green situation where the new hire will be looking for NFL roles before their first season is over, but at least the hire might impress recruits. And unlike in Dennis Green's era the players could always use the portal to leave if the coach lands an NFL role in 2026 or 2027, so getting a chance to work with a coach fresh from the NFL could be compelling with little downside. If the coach is good enough to finally get that head coaching spot in the NFL in 2026 or 2027, then presumably the players were part of a turnaround story that should enable them to secure big NIL deals in the SEC or BigTen.
Just to clarify your intent because i agree with where you are going: i think we are saying that finding a good African American head coach would be a plus to the program. We are not saying that we need to find the best available African American unless he is the best available coach. I would give points for the African American heritage because it can make a man a more effective head coach. But I want the best coach, period.
RE: FB: New Coach? - Goose - 03-25-2025
(03-25-2025, 08:26 PM)cardcrimson Wrote: Actually, Tavita was mentioned positively an other site, including by me. Apparently a great relationship with Andrew. . . .I think he might be a good choice but he would IMO be a fool to take the job. Tavita is in the process of making a name for himself in the NFL, but he still has some hills to climb. He needs to spend some time at the coordinator level and make enough of a mark that he has some credibility in the bank. He is the QB coach for Washington today. If he leaves to become a head coach at Stanford and it doesn't work out he will once again have to start at the bottom. Realistically, most head coaches don't work out. The situation at Stanford is particularly challenging, especially for someone with no head coaching experience. It would be a big risk for Tavita. IMO not worth the risk.
RE: FB: New Coach? - cardcrimson - 03-25-2025
(03-25-2025, 08:41 PM)Goose Wrote:(03-25-2025, 08:26 PM)cardcrimson Wrote: Actually, Tavita was mentioned positively an other site, including by me. Apparently a great relationship with Andrew. . . .I think he might be a good choice but he would IMO be a fool to take the job. Tavita is in the process of making a name for himself in the NFL, but he still has some hills to climb. He needs to spend some time at the coordinator level and make enough of a mark that he has some credibility in the bank. He is the QB coach for Washington today. If he leaves to become a head coach at Stanford and it doesn't work out he will once again have to start at the bottom. Realistically, most head coaches don't work out. The situation at Stanford is particularly challenging, especially for someone with no head coaching experience. It would be a big risk for Tavita. IMO not worth the risk.
Agree. Though lining up the Brinks truck for Klingsbury as HC and Tavita as OC would be conceivable. Keep the rest of the staff for this season. . .
RE: FB: New Coach? - newguy - 03-25-2025
i'll go with Bobby April on an interim basis.
RE: FB: New Coach? - PVTree - 03-25-2025
My outside the box candidate: Mike Kafka, NY Giants Offensive Coordinator.
He's been interviewed for NFL head coaching positions, more importantly, he's a graduate of my high school. He had interest in Stanford but attended Northwestern.