In a move that didn’t catch many by surprise, Stanford relieved head coach Troy Taylor of his duties last Tuesday. This decision followed a string of investigations into allegations of hostile behavior within the athletic department staff. As Stanford’s general manager, Andrew Luck has now announced that the search for a new head coach is underway, though it’s likely that an interim coach might step in for the 2025 season.
The timing couldn’t be more challenging for Stanford’s football program, which has endured four straight 3-9 seasons, the last two with Taylor at the helm. The Cardinals haven’t seen more than four wins per season over the past six years. Adding to their challenges, with spring football slated to kick off on Monday, they face the daunting task of revamping their offensive strategy, previously orchestrated by Taylor, their offensive play caller. No staff member holds the same level of experience.
The most straightforward choices for an interim head coach are likely Bobby April III, the defensive coordinator, or Andy Thompson, who recently joined as co-DC under Taylor’s hire this winter.
April’s NFL experience with teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills brought about a notable defensive turnaround for Stanford. In 2022, before his arrival, the Cardinals ranked a dismal 127th in rushing defense, which improved to 94th by 2023 and a commendable 41st in 2024.
Meanwhile, Thompson, 44, has been part of Sacramento State for six seasons, initially as the defensive coordinator under Taylor, later taking over as head coach. Thompson’s track record at Sac State includes an 11-14 record, managing 8-5 in 2023 but sliding to 3-9 in 2024.
The prospect of searching outside the current program doesn’t reveal a deep pool of options. Furthermore, with the program currently in the ACC due to the Pac-12 dissolution, Stanford faces its own unique set of hurdles.
Jason Garrett, the former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, was a prominent candidate alongside Taylor during the last hiring process. Though Garrett boasts an 85-67 record from nearly a decade with Dallas, he chose to remain with NBC Sports as an analyst. His experience with high academic standards in football programs and his previous consideration for the Duke head coaching role mark him as a notable figure.
Considering potential NFL ties, Stanford alumnus Troy Walters, the Cincinnati Bengals receivers coach, emerges as a fan favorite. Walters was a star at Stanford, having been awarded the Biletnikoff Award, and maintains strong support among Cardinal alumni. However, his current position coaching elite talents like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with Joe Burrow as quarterback is undeniably attractive.
Similarly, Tavita Pritchard, 38, the current QB coach for the Washington Commanders, offers another familiar face with deep Stanford roots. Pritchard played under Jim Harbaugh, helping to transform Stanford’s trajectory. His time coaching at Stanford included a stretch as offensive coordinator, although it did coincide with a program decline under David Shaw’s direction. Today, Pritchard’s role developing NFL talent with quarterback Jayden Daniels is enviable.
From the existing college ranks, two highly respected head coaches with military academy backgrounds are worth watching. One such candidate is Ken Niumatalolo, at San Jose State in Northern California. With a 7-6 first season record and impressive historical success at Navy (116-89 record with multiple Coach of the Year honors), his versatility is notable. Niumatalolo’s ability to adapt offensively was evident when San Jose State led the Mountain West in passing during his inaugural season there, finishing fifth nationally.
Army’s Jeff Monken is another formidable coach, fresh off an impressive 12-2 season where his team finished undefeated in the AAC. With an 82-57 record at Army, Monken’s transformative impact on the program is undisputed. His overall career record stands at 120-73, and sources suggest an interest if Stanford reaches out.
Both Niumatalolo and Monken offer compelling resumes and demonstrate proven success that could potentially guide Stanford through these tumultuous times and beyond.
