Having just completed its fourth consecutive 3-9 season in its first as an ACC member, Luck’s return to the team he led to two BCS bowls might be the best news it’s received this decade.
Per ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, “Luck’s role involves everything Stanford football touches.”
Thamel expanded, “The football-specific duties will include managing the coaching staff, the player personnel staff, recruiting, roster management and the student-athlete experience.”
Luck played for the university from 2009-11, when Stanford went 31-8, winning the 2010 Orange Bowl and appearing in the Fiesta Bowl the following year.
Former head coach David Shaw, who coached Luck during his final season at Stanford, went 14-18 in his last four seasons (2019-22), and second-year head coach Troy Taylor is 6-18.
The Cardinal ended their regular season on Friday with a 34-31 loss at San Jose State (7-5, 3-4 in MWC). It was the eighth time Stanford allowed at least 30 points in a game in 2024.
Entering Saturday, Stanford ranked 117th in scoring defense (33.7 points per game allowed). For the fifth consecutive season, it allowed over 30 points per game.
Stanford hasn’t had a top-100 scoring offense (excluding 2020) since 2018.
Luck has a lot on his to-do list: fixing Stanford’s defense and finding a quarterback for the 2025 season at the top.
Stanford needs an upgrade from junior quarterback Ashton Daniels, who leads the ACC in interceptions (12) in 11 games.
In his two seasons as a starter, Daniels has completed 60.8 percent of his pass attempts for 3,986 yards (6.6 yards per attempt), 21 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
Four-star 2024 recruit Elijah Brown could get an extended look during spring practice, but Luck’s ability to attract talent through the portal would be Stanford’s best bet for a quick turnaround.
Taylor’s future is worth watching as Luck situates himself in his new role.
Thamel reported, “Luck’s aim is to lock arms with … Taylor to help build the program to reenter the national conversation,” but he wouldn’t be the first general manager to want to hire his own coach.
With Luck’s connection to Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who coached Luck at Stanford from 2009-10, someone like Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could be an attractive candidate should Luck want to make an immediate mark on the program.
While that’s all speculative, that’s the point. For the first time in a while, anything feels possible at Stanford.
“I’m excited,” Luck told Thamel, adding, “I think Stanford is taking an assertive and innovative step.”
“We’re undoubtedly the best athletic department in college sports,” continued Luck. “We have to re-prove it in football, and we’re excited to be part of that challenge.”
Most programs coming off a 3-9 season wouldn’t have much to celebrate. Stanford isn’t like those others. It has Luck.
