Stanford Football Coach Troy Taylor Fired Amid Bullying Allegations

STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford University has terminated football coach Troy Taylor following two investigations that revealed a pattern of bullying and inappropriate behavior towards female staff members. Taylor, 56, was let go just over two years into his tenure, during which he posted back-to-back 3-9 records.

The investigations, which involved testimony from more than 20 current and former staffers, detailed allegations that Taylor bullied and belittled women in the athletic department. Complaints included attempts to have an NCAA compliance officer removed after she flagged potential violations.

The first investigation began in the spring of 2023 after multiple employees reported hostile and aggressive conduct from Taylor. Following this, on February 14, 2024, Taylor signed a warning letter acknowledging that continued misconduct could lead to termination. However, he remained in his position despite the findings.

In a statement released by Stanford, Taylor expressed his compliance with the investigations and stated, “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.”

Stanford’s commitment to upholding high workplace standards was affirmed in a spokesperson’s statement, which included information that appropriate measures had been taken, and that Taylor had participated in coaching aimed at fostering a respectful work environment.

The second investigation, conducted the following summer by Timothy O’Brien from Libby, O'Brien, Kingsley & Champion, revealed that nine minor NCAA violations were attributed to Taylor’s oversight. O’Brien noted a significant level of animosity directed towards the compliance office, branding Taylor’s behavior as “inappropriate” and “discriminatory on the basis of her sex”.

According to the reports, Taylor’s treatment of women staffers was not only hostile but also characterized by belittling comments and excessive aggression. One investigator, Kate Weaver Patterson, who led the initial inquiry, found the Stanford football culture to be “not welcoming to women” and noted that many employees felt pressured to avoid conflict with Taylor.

“Under Coach Taylor’s leadership, the football program has disregarded or not followed NCAA rules that they have been repeatedly educated on,” O’Brien concluded in his findings.

Taylor was initially hired in December 2022 to replace David Shaw, Stanford’s winningest coach. His dismissal was confirmed by Andrew Luck, the program’s general manager, who stated a need for a program reset. “It has been clear that certain aspects of the program need change,” Luck said.

As the search for a new head coach begins, an acting coach may be appointed for the upcoming season.