Washington Commanders’ quarterback coach Tavita Pritchard is taking over Standard as the school’s next head coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, marking another seat on the coaching carousel.
Pritchard will join the Stanford staff after the Commanders’ game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.
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The coach is well-travelled, having taken the job at Washington back in 2023, and previously spent 12 years on the Cardinals’ coaching staff in various roles.
He was a former assistant coach and coordinator, and an alumnus who played quarterback for the former PAC-12 school.
Stanford hopes Pritchard can bring stability to the school after its previous coach, Troy Taylor, was involved in multiple controversies.
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General manager Andrew Luck, the former All-Pro quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, brought in his former coach, Frank Reich, to stabilize the team while they looked for a new head coach, and he has now made his first big hire.
“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.
“Coach Pritchard is a culture builder, a teacher of football of the highest caliber, and a humble yet determined servant leader who is committed to the success of Stanford’s student-athletes. I could not be more excited to welcome Tavita, Caroline and their family back to campus.”
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Pritchard was Stanford’s quarterback in 2018, and the following year, he was beaten out by Luck, who is, ironically, returning the favor and giving him a job this time.
Stanford went through more than 30 candidates for the head coaching gig. The search included assistance from new athletic director John Donahoe, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Stanford president Jonathan Levin, and Luck.
The program needs to ensure Pritchard is a success after going 3-9 last season and entering their season finale on Saturday against Notre Dame at 4-7.
They still hold a good deal of prestige, but they are a shell of their former selves.
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