Stanford University has turned to one of its own to lead its football program into a new era, hiring Tavita Pritchard as its next head coach. The announcement, made Friday, brings the former Cardinal quarterback and longtime assistant back to The Farm after a two-year stint in the NFL. Pritchard, 38, is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders and will officially begin his new role after Washington’s game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. He replaces interim coach Frank Reich, who guided the team to a 4-7 record this season after taking over in the spring following the dismissal of Troy Taylor.
The hiring marks a significant moment for Stanford, a program searching for stability and a return to relevance. Pritchard’s deep ties to the university are a central part of the story. He was Stanford’s starting quarterback in 2007 and 2008 before being replaced by a freshman named Andrew Luck. Now, in a full-circle twist, it was Luck—who returned to Stanford last year as the program’s general manager—who led the coaching search and ultimately selected his former teammate. “Tavita Pritchard is exactly the right head coach at the right time to help us build on the foundation of this season and lead Stanford football to its next great era,” Luck said in a statement, praising Pritchard as a culture builder and teacher.
Pritchard’s coaching resume is built on a foundation of development. He began his career at Stanford as a graduate assistant in 2010 and steadily climbed the ranks, eventually serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2018 to 2022. During that time, he coached and recruited notable Cardinal quarterbacks like Kevin Hogan, Davis Mills, and Tanner McKee. His recent NFL experience, where he oversaw the development of 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels with the Commanders, further bolstered his credentials. Washington head coach Dan Quinn offered strong endorsement, stating Pritchard is “the perfect coach to build a winning program in today’s college football landscape.”
The task ahead is formidable. Stanford football has struggled mightily in recent years, failing to post a winning season since the abbreviated 2020 campaign and last appearing in a bowl game in 2018. The program’s transition to the ACC has been rocky, and academic requirements have historically limited its use of the transfer portal, though that showed signs of change this past offseason. Pritchard’s immediate challenge is to build on the modest momentum from Reich’s interim tenure, which included an upset win over rival Cal, and recruit at a high level in a rapidly evolving sport.
For Stanford fans, Pritchard’s name evokes a legendary moment: as a backup quarterback in 2007, he led a 41-point underdog Stanford team to a stunning 24-23 upset of No. 2 USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass on fourth down. Now, he is tasked with creating new signature moments as the permanent leader. His hiring represents a bet on continuity, deep institutional knowledge, and a beloved alum’s ability to reconnect the program with its proud past while navigating an uncertain future.