We've all read about David Shaw throwing in the towel at Stanford. Reportedly he didn't feel he was getting the support in recruiting or with almost the complete absence of an NIL program. Those are correctable issues, but apparently not at Stanford. How about a review of some thoughts.
Harbaugh's consigliere, Biff Poggi, has just left to accept a head coaching assignment. Two of Harbaugh's coordinators are thought to be candidates for positions as a college head coach or NFL coordinator if not this year, sometime soon. And Harbaugh himself is reaching an age when many coaches, particularly those who have achieved some successes, may begin to consider the next steps in their lives.
Does any of this give anyone some ideas?
- Like Harbaugh, Shaw grew up in a coaching family. His family moved many times, following his father Willie Shaw as he moved around the NFL and college football as an assistant coach.
- Shaw played high school football at Rochester Adams high school in Rochester, Michigan while his father was a coach with the Detroit Lions. He finished his high school career playing in Union City, California when his father was an assistant at Stanford. Shaw played college football for Stanford as a wide receiver under Dennis Green and then Bill Walsh.
- Shaw was Jim Harbaugh's passing game coordinator at the University of San Diego and then offensive coordinator under Harbaugh at Stanford.
- Many give Shaw the credit for creating both the rushing and passing offenses which have become so characteristic of Harbaugh's teams.
- Shaw also served as an assistant coach in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.
- Shaw is comfortable and experienced working within the environment of a premier academic institution.
- Shaw has been a winner. His teams have won five Pac12 North Division and three Pac12 conference championships.
- Shaw's Stanford teams have a five win-three loss record in bowl games, including two Rose Bowl victories.
- He has been a four-time winner of the Pac12 Coach of the Year award as well as the national Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year.
- He has coached two Heisman finalists.
- Shaw runs a clean recruiting operation. He has often been successful in signing highly-rated recruits who thrived in Stanford's challenging academic environment.
- Shaw has not said that he would never accept another coaching position. Nor has he expressed any interest in being considered for any of the positions currently available.
- Shaw is 50 years old, Harbaugh is 58.
- Shaw and Harbaugh are close friends.
Does any of this give anyone some ideas?
Last edited:
