Stanford Football Coach Under Investigation for Misconduct Involving Female Staffers

Palo Alto, CA — Stanford University football head coach Troy Taylor is facing scrutiny following allegations of misconduct involving female athletic staffers. According to documents from multiple investigations obtained by ESPN, Taylor exhibited bullying behavior, made inappropriate comments regarding staff appearances, and attempted to remove an NCAA compliance officer who alerted him to potential rules violations.

The first investigation concluded on February 14, 2024, when Taylor signed a warning letter acknowledging that he could face termination if his conduct did not improve. A second investigation, which began in spring 2023 and ended last July, revealed additional complaints but found Taylor still in his position as head coach.

In a statement released by Stanford on Wednesday, Taylor expressed his commitment to personal growth. “I willingly complied with the investigations, accepted the recommendations that came out of them, and used them as a learning opportunity to grow in leadership and how I interact with others,” he stated. “I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively and collegially with my colleagues so that we can achieve success for our football program together.”

A spokesperson for Stanford supported Taylor, stating, “The University believes in upholding the highest standards of behavior in the workplace. The complaints regarding Coach Taylor were investigated thoroughly by a third party.” The university reportedly took appropriate measures following the investigations, and Taylor underwent coaching to address the concerns raised.

Despite the findings, athletic director Bernard Muir, who announced his resignation at the end of the academic year, did not comment on the situation. Andrew Luck, Stanford football’s general manager, who took over last November and supervises Taylor, also did not respond to requests for comment.

Documents reveal more than 20 current and former staffers provided insight during the investigations, with many remaining anonymous due to concerns about retaliation. Some staff members described Taylor’s behavior as hostile and aggressive, stating that it often included personal attacks, particularly targeted at female employees.

Timothy O’Brien, who conducted the second investigation, reported seeing a “palpable level of animosity and disdain” from Taylor toward the compliance office, labeling his treatment of the staffer as aggressive and inappropriate. O’Brien also noted seven Level III violations of NCAA rules attributed to the program under Taylor’s leadership.

“While being a head football coach is a stressful role, I do not find any excuse for Coach Taylor’s treatment of the women cited in the investigations,” O’Brien wrote. “This ongoing pattern of concerning behavior is causing increasing stress and despair among those impacted.”

Both investigations revealed that Taylor’s treatment of female staffers contradicted Stanford’s standards. One source described his demeanor as aggressive and belittling, noting that staff members often felt intimidated in their interactions with him.

“[Taylor] loses his temper over things that aren’t that big of a deal,” one witness recounted in interviews. Staffers reported feeling scared to approach him and expressed fears regarding retaliation for speaking out.

Taylor, who is entering his third year as Stanford’s head coach after a stint at Sacramento State, has faced pressure due to the team’s performance, with the Cardinal finishing 3-9 in the previous two seasons. The investigations into his behavior began just six months into his appointment, highlighting concerns about workplace culture under his leadership.