Andrew Luck, essentially the most important recruit throughout the Jim Harbaugh period at Stanford, a quarterback who led the Cardinal from also-rans to nationwide prominence, is returning The Farm because the soccer crew’s common supervisor.
“I think Stanford is taking an assertive and innovative step,” Luck, who starred for the Cardinal from 2009-2011 after redshirting in 2008, informed ESPN. “We’re undoubtedly the best athletic department in college sports. We have to re-prove it in football, and we’re excited to be part of that challenge.”
In response to ESPN, Luck’s place will likely be a redefined position from the standard faculty common supervisor.
As an alternative of primarily being a subordinate to the pinnacle coach, Luck, 35, will preside over the teaching employees, participant personnel employees and recruiting, in addition to the enterprise facet of this system.
It’s no secret that Stanford has struggled to maintain tempo throughout the Title, Picture and Likeness period of school sports activities.
The announcement of Luck’s return comes at some point after Stanford misplaced to San Jose State to finish its fourth consecutive 3-9 season, the previous two underneath coach Troy Taylor.
Stanford’s launch famous that Luck will work with Taylor on recruiting and roster administration and with athletics and college management on all the pieces from fundraising and alumni relations to student-athlete help and stadium expertise.
Luck, who has remained near his alma mater since leaving for the NFL because the No. 1 general choose by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, informed ESPN that the concept of rejoining Stanford soccer first surfaced when he spoke to highschool president Jonathan Levin a few month in the past.
In response to Luck, Levin urged, “Why don’t you run football, Andrew?”
“Andrew Luck exemplifies the Stanford student-athlete,” Levin mentioned in a press release Saturday. “I’m excited he’s returning to campus to help lead our football program and ensure that our student-athletes achieve excellence in the changing collegiate athletics environment.”
Luck most just lately served as quarterbacks coach at Palo Alto Excessive College, which is throughout the road from Stanford Stadium, and started engaged on his Grasp’s diploma at Stanford in 2022.
This month, Luck was among the many Stanford dignitaries who attended the San Jose Sports activities Corridor of Fame induction ceremony at SAP Middle as the category included the late actual property developer and philanthropist John Arrillaga, a mega-donor for Cardinal athletics.
“Besides my folks and the friends and extended family I grew up with, Stanford, this is home for my wife and I,” Luck informed ESPN. “I’m profoundly influenced by Jim Harbaugh, David Shaw, Pep Hamilton and all the coaches and professors that I’ve ever had.”
Luck was the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting in 2010 and 2011.
“Andrew’s credentials as a student-athlete speak for themselves, and in addition to his legacy of excellence, he also brings a deep understanding of the college football landscape and community, and an unparalleled passion for Stanford Football,” Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir mentioned in a press release. “I could not think of a person better qualified to guide our football program through a continuously evolving landscape, and I am thrilled that Andrew has agreed to join our team. This change represents a very different way of operating our program and competing in an evolving college football landscape.”
Former Stanford and NFL quarterback Andrew Luck (kneeling) snaps the ball to Palo Alto Excessive College freshman Justin Fung (12) throughout a drill at observe on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 in Palo Alto, California. (Alex Simon/Bay Space Information Group)
Initially Printed: November 30, 2024 at 7:15 AM PST