Stanford head coach David Shaw announces he is stepping down effective immediately

The David Shaw era has come to an end at Stanford, as it was announced following their final game of the season that the longtime leader of the Cardinal is stepping down.

“Stanford’s Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football David Shaw announced following Saturday’s game that he will step down from his position, effective immediately,” announced Stanford. “Shaw, a former Stanford football student-athlete and the winningest head coach in program history, leaves with a record of 96-54.

“Shaw was honored with the 2017 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year award and led Stanford to three Pac-12 titles and two Rose Bowl victories in 12 seasons.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

The 50-year old coach added that he believes after over a decade at Stanford, “It’s time.”

“After many prayers and multiple discussions with my wife, one phrase keeps coming to me – it’s time,” Shaw said, per Stanford. “There are not sufficient words to describe the love and gratitude I feel for my family, all of my former and current players, my staff, this administration and the entire Stanford family. Thank you all.”

While Shaw closes his tenure with an aforementioned record of 96-54, success had been harder to come by later in his tenure. The Cardinal haven’t won more than four games in a season over the last four years, including a 3-9 season in 2022.

Now, following a loss to BYU in Shaw’s final game, the Cardinal will begin a national search for their next coach immediately, per the press release.

“I would like to thank David for his immense contributions to Stanford,” Jaquish and Kenninger Director of Athletics Bernard Muir added, per Stanford. “David has represented Stanford football, as both a player and a coach, with unwavering grace, humility and integrity. He has cared tremendously for each and every student-athlete in his program while helping them pursue their full academic and athletic potential.

“David will forever remain a valued member of the Stanford football family and an integral part of the storied history of the program. I hope Cardinal fans everywhere will join me in thanking David and his family for their extraordinary years of service and wishing them all the best in their next chapter.”

Now, it’ll be interesting to see where David Shaw — who’s also a four-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year — lands in the next phase of his career. Regardless, his contributions to Stanford were major, and he deserves his flowers as he moves on from the Cardinal.