Stanford fired football coach Troy Taylor on Tuesday following two losing seasons, two investigations into his inappropriate behavior and one embarrassing leak to the news media.
Specifically, Andrew Luck fired Taylor.
“Since beginning my role as General Manager, I have been thoroughly assessing the entire Stanford football program,” Luck said in a statement announcing the decision.
“It has been clear that certain aspects of the program need change. Additionally, in recent days, there has been significant attention to Stanford investigations in previous years related to Coach Taylor.
“After continued consideration it is evident to me that our program needs a reset. In consultation with university leadership, I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program.”
(Full statement below.)
The move comes less than one week after ESPN reported that Taylor has been investigated twice for inappropriate behavior directed at female staff members.
On the field, the Cardinal has struggled since Taylor replaced David Shaw, with 3-9 records in each of his two years.
Luck, the former Cardinal superstar hired last fall by university president Jonathan Levin to oversee the football program, released the following statement:
“I took the role of Stanford Football General Manager with a strong vision for building a new winning era for our football program. Stanford has always set the standard for excellence with our university’s unique leadership in both athletics and academics, and I have no doubt that our program’s best days lie ahead.
“Since beginning my role as General Manager, I have been thoroughly assessing the entire Stanford football program. It has been clear that certain aspects of the program need change. Additionally, in recent days, there has been significant attention to Stanford investigations in previous years related to Coach Taylor.
“After continued consideration it is evident to me that our program needs a reset. In consultation with university leadership, I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program. Coach Taylor has been informed today, and the change is effective immediately. A search for new coaching leadership in football has begun, and an acting coach may be named for the 2025 season. Our focus remains on supporting our student-athletes and ensuring they have the best possible experience on the field, in the classroom, and on campus with their peers.
“I thank Coach Taylor for his contributions to our team and the hard work he put into the program. I wish him and his family well moving forward.
“Stanford University is my home, and I am so excited to support our players in competing at the highest level and developing as young adults. We have powerful traditions, incredible student-athletes, and a vision for the future that demonstrates our strong potential as a program. This vision includes an emphasis on a positive, winning, and inclusive culture. I am confident that we will return Stanford to the top echelon of college football.”
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