Stanford’s David Shaw among highest paid coaches in 2019

Stanford University’s recent tax return shows head football coach David Shaw was compensated with $8.9 million in 2019.

Included in the $8.9 million is deferred pay on prior years’ returns, dropping the net compensation for the year to $8.5 million. Additionally, Stanford had $6.8 million listed as Shaw’s base compensation with an additional $1.425 million in bonus and incentive compensation. 

Stanford spokesperson E.J. Miranda commented on the situation via an email to USA TODAY Sports

“Coach Shaw’s compensation, as reflected in the 990 form, includes over $2 (million) in retroactive salary and signing bonus, which are unique to this year. He also received an increase in base salary,” Miranda said.

Shaw compensation ranks among the highest

While part of Shaw’s 2019 salary was one-time payments, his compensation places him in the upper echelon of college coaching salaries. In 2020, Nick Saban made $9.3, Ed Orgeron made $8.9 million and Dabo Swinney made $8.3 million, per USA TODAY Sports.

In 2018, returns show Shaw earned a total of $4.8 million, which placed him 18th among college coaches.

Shaw’s pay numbers were released just months after Stanford reversed a decision to cut 11 of its 36 varsity sports teams. The decision was made during the height of the pandemic and faced intense backlash and legal action. 

Stanford has the third-highest endowment in the nation at $28.9 billion. It is by far the largest Power 5 (plus Notre Dame) endowment. The Irish sit behind them at $12 billion, and Northwestern is third at $11 billion. Shaw’s position is partially endowed, as are three assistant football coaching positions.

Too early for hot seat talk?

Recently, Stanford has struggled to compete on the national stage as they did in Shaw’s earlier years. 

While they finished last season with four straight wins, they have failed to make a bowl game since 2018. In 2019, Shaw did not win at least eight games for the first time during his tenure in Palo Alto. The Cardinal went 4-8. 

In total, Shaw’s record at Stanford is 90-36, making him the winningest coach in school history. He has taken the Cardinal to eight bowl games and won five of them, including two Rose Bowl wins in 2012 and 2015. Shaw has won the Pac-12 three times but has not won since 2015.

Shaw is known as one of the most intelligent, insightful coaches in college football, but he will need a big year to please a fan base that has become accustomed to competing near the highest level.

Image courtesy of Jason O. Watson/Getty Images