STAMFORD, Calif. (AP) — Stanford coach David Shaw stepped down Saturday night after a 36-25 loss to BYU and a 3-9 drop to the Cardinals after a 12-season season at his alma mater.
In his first six years as head coach, Shaw, 50, led Stanford to five double-digit winning seasons, won three Pac-12 titles, and qualified for the Rose Bowl. He won more games than any coach in program history with a record of 96-54 and was considered one of the most respected coaches in the country.
Shaw arrived unusually late for the post-match press conference, saying his decision was only in the next few days.
“A week ago, 10 days ago, I was keen to be the one to get us there, but over the last few days, I’ve realized that the time has come,” Shaw said. “It’s time for me to step down and it’s time for the next group to come in. I hope whoever they hire next wins more matches than I do. That’s great.” prize.”
The decline in recent years has intensified. The Cardinals are 14 in the last four seasons as the program struggles to keep up with the rapidly changing college football landscape, where players move more freely and earn money for their name, image, and likeness. ~28 years old.
Stanford has gone 3-16 in Pac-12 games over the past two seasons, losing streak to rivals California.
“There are a lot of people who think this program is down. That’s what our record says,” Shaw said. “But I look at the components. I look at the people here and hear the support from our Athletic Commissioners, our college presidents, the people behind the scenes. It’s not that far.”
A California native who was a receiver at Stanford University in the early 1990s, Shaw became head coach in 2011, replacing Jim Harbaugh.
After nine seasons as an NFL assistant, Shaw joined Harbaugh’s staff at the University of San Diego before attending Stanford.
“David has represented Stanford Football as a player and as a coach with unwavering grace, humility and integrity. “David will forever be a valued member of the Stanford football family and an integral part of the program’s storied history.”
The show became part of a remarkable program transformation under Harbaugh, and then, under his leadership, Stanford became Pac-12’s premier program in a physical style called Intellectual Violence.
As the program declined, Shaw remained steadfastly loyal to his assistant coach. He repeatedly said that he felt that he was imposing pressure on
It’s unclear how many years Shaw had left on his contract, as Stanford University is a private school that doesn’t disclose the terms of its coaches.
He said he has no plans to take another job.
“I never burn out with my imagination,” he said. “I am healthy and I feel good. But at the same time, 16 years is a long time. 12 years as a head coach, 16 years here. I am very proud of what we have achieved. I’m very proud of the athletes, I’m very proud of the people who have come from different walks of life in and out of the NFL, but as I said, the words that gave me peace i’m back.
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