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Stanford football has hired a familiar face to become its next head coach.
The school announced Friday that it has hired Tavita Pritchard, who played quarterback at Stanford from 2006-09, as its next head coach. The 38-year-old is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders and will begin his head coaching role immediately following the team’s game against the Denver Broncos.
Pritchard succeeds interim head coach Frank Reich, who replaced Troy Taylor in the spring after Taylor was fired over allegations of bullying and belittling staff.
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Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard watches her players before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California on December 17, 2023. (Kyusung Gong/AP Photo, file)
Pritchard was hired by the man who replaced him at quarterback at Stanford: Andrew Luck. Luck is the school’s chief executive officer and said Pritchard is the right person to lead Stanford into its next great era.
“Winning in college football today requires a leader of men who can build and motivate teams, recruit future stars, and develop and connect with talent,” Luck said in a statement.
“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 into its next great era. Coach Pritchard is a culture builder, a football teacher of the highest caliber and a humble but determined leader who is committed to the success of Stanford’s student-athletes.”
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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Tavita Pritchard (14) takes a snap during a 23-20 loss to the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, October 18, 2008. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sports-USA TODAY Sports)
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Tavita, Caroline and their family back to campus.”
Pritchard began his coaching career in 2010 at Stanford as a graduate assistant and worked his way up to become the team’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2022 before leaving for the NFL.
Pritchard’s short stint in the NFL had an impact, as Commanders head coach Dan Quinn spoke highly of his former assistant.
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“Tavita will be a fantastic head coach and I think he will be particularly effective at Stanford. The players gravitate towards him and he has quickly earned their respect and mine,” Quinn said in a statement.
“Tavita is smart, collaborative, diligent and brings people together. He is the ideal coach to build a winning program in today’s college football landscape.”
Pritchard will be tasked with turning around a team that is 4-7 this season and hasn’t had more than four wins in a season since 2018, when it was 9-4.
