Tavita Pritchard Named Head Coach at Stanford

Palo Alto, California – Tavita Pritchard has been hired as the new head coach for the Stanford Cardinal football team, sources confirmed on Friday. Pritchard, a former Stanford quarterback, has a long history with the program and will take over following interim coach Frank Reich‘s tenure.

Pritchard, 38, has been the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders since 2023. He has received permission to depart from the Commanders after their game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. His candidacy emerged from a pool of over 30 applicants managed by Stanford’s general manager Andrew Luck.

A Stanford source commented on Pritchard’s selection, saying, “Beyond his extensive history at the school, Tavita resoundingly emerged as the best candidate. His leadership qualities and strong football mind played a critical role in this decision.”

Pritchard is set to replace Reich, who led Stanford to a notable upset against a rival last week, ending a four-year losing streak. Stanford is currently 4-7 and will compete against the No. 9 ranked team in their season finale on Saturday.

Pritchard’s coaching career at Stanford began in 2010, and he eventually became the offensive coordinator in 2018. During his tenure, he developed several prominent players, including quarterbacks Kevin Hogan and Davis Mills.

While at the Commanders, Pritchard played a significant role in the development of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had an impressive season in 2024. Before his coaching career, Pritchard led Stanford to a historic victory against USC in 2007, a game that remains a highlight in Stanford football history.

With Pritchard’s return to Stanford, there are hopes for a new chapter in the program as they face challenges in today’s college football landscape.