Coaching Changes Shake Up College Football Landscape

Tavita Pritchard has been hired as the new head football coach at Stanford University, returning to The Farm after a successful stint as quarterbacks coach for the NFL's Washington Commanders. This announcement was made by Stanford general manager Andrew Luck on Friday, December 1, 2023, just one day before the Cardinal's final game of the season against No. 9 Notre Dame.

Interim coach Frank Reich took over the program in April following the dismissal of Troy Taylor, leading Stanford to a 4-7 record and a 3-5 finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In a statement, Luck emphasized the need for a leader who can build a strong team culture, recruit talented players, and develop their skills, declaring Pritchard as the right fit for this crucial role.

Pritchard, who played quarterback at Stanford from 2006 to 2009 and was a teammate of Luck's, expressed his excitement about returning to Stanford, stating, 'Stanford is a place like no other and my family and I are full of gratitude to be returning home in every sense of the word.' He outlined his vision for the program, focusing on hard work, brotherhood, and tenacity necessary to build a championship-caliber team.

Pritchard's coaching career includes a significant role at Stanford from 2010 to 2022 under notable coaches Jim Harbaugh and David Shaw before joining the NFL in 2023. While with the Commanders, he played a key role in the development of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who won the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 and led the team to the NFC title game.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn praised Pritchard, stating, 'Players gravitate to him, and he quickly earned their respect and mine.' Pritchard's playing career included a memorable upset win over No. 2 USC, where he led the Cardinal as a 41-point underdog to a 24-23 victory, marking one of the biggest upsets in college football history.

He and his wife, Caroline, whom he met during their undergraduate years at Stanford, have four children, three of whom were born at Stanford Hospital.