(11-03-2021, 06:40 PM)Row80Critic Wrote: Shaw's not going anywhere. He's a great guy, beloved by all, perfect diplomat and representative, embodies the University, winningest coach ever, etc., etc. So.....
How about making him to A.D. so the football team can try something different?
I think David Shaw is a great person and when he is done being coach for the football team I hope and I'd think there is a way for him to stay involved in the university. At some point, I do think he'll try his hand in the NFL, and he'll be given an opportunity because the skills you need in the NFL are different than the ones in college. For one, he's a respected analyst for the NFL draft, and that's one of the best ways an NFL team can excel -- just look at what drafting Richard Sherman in the fifth round and picking up Doug Baldwin as a UDFA did for Seattle.
But when you're in the NFL, the clock is ticking, and you can have a very, very short time there.
Lots of Stanford people stay involved in the university. Coach Willingham volunteers in various capacities. Bill Walsh became a Hoover fellow and he was also a consultant to the AD. I could one day see Shaw in more of a capacity like that.
Oh, but I don't think his role will be or should be as AD. ADs have to fundraise, they have to manage, and they need to find the next great coach for a variety of sports. They need to structure contracts in a way that protects the university's interests, motivate and don't waste money. Just because we may be unsatisfied with Muir doesn't mean Shaw would be a great fit for it. Athletic Director is an important job with its own unique qualifications. I actually think we underappreciated the job before and kind of settled with Muir last time and that helped put us where we are now in football and men's basketball.