The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Stanford: a football coaching history

National Program III#67 of 138–
See Stanford’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
David Shaw
Peaked at Power Program I
Built by
John Ralston
Regional Program I → Power Program II (+20.2)
The fall
Jack Curtice
National Program I → Regional Program I (−14.7)
Right now
Tavita Pritchard
in year 1 — too new to place in Stanford's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)SchwartzTaylorCurticeRalstonChristiansenWalshElwayWillinghamShaw19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Tavita Pritchardshort tenure
0–0
2025–2025
Frank Reichshort tenure
4–8
2023–2024
Troy Taylorshort tenure
6–18
2011–2022
David Shawbuilder
David Shaw raised Stanford from Power Program III to Power Program I.
+15.5
96–54
2007–2010
Jim Harbaughbuilder
Jim Harbaugh raised Stanford from National Program III to Power Program III.
+15.1
29–21
2005–2006
Walt Harrisshort tenure
6–17
2002–2004
Buddy Teevenscaretaker
Buddy Teevens slid Stanford from National Program I to National Program II in 3 seasons.
National Program II
10–23
1995–2001
Tyrone Willinghamcaretaker
Tyrone Willingham held Stanford at National Program I for 7 seasons.
National Program I
44–36
1989–1991
Dennis Greencaretaker
Dennis Green moved Stanford from National Program II to National Program I in 3 seasons.
National Program I
16–18
1984–1988
Jack Elwaycaretaker
Jack Elway slid Stanford from National Program I to National Program II in 5 seasons.
National Program II
25–29
1980–1983
Paul Wiggincaretaker
Paul Wiggin held Stanford at Power Program III for 4 seasons.
Power Program III
16–28
1979–1979
Ron Dowhowershort tenure
5–5
1977–1994
Bill Walshcaretaker
Bill Walsh moved Stanford from National Program I to Power Program III in 5 seasons.
Power Program III
34–24
1972–1976
Jack Christiansencaretaker
Jack Christiansen held Stanford at Power Program II for 5 seasons.
Power Program II
30–22
1963–1971
John Ralstonbuilder
John Ralston raised Stanford from Regional Program I to Power Program II.
+20.2
55–36
1958–1962
Jack Curticecaretaker
Jack Curtice slid Stanford from National Program I to National Program II in 5 seasons.
−14.7
14–36
1951–1957
Chuck Taylorcaretaker
Chuck Taylor slid Stanford from National Program I to Power Program III in 7 seasons.
Power Program III
40–29
1942–1950
Marchy Schwartzcaretaker
Marchy Schwartz held Stanford at Power Program II for 6 seasons.
−11.8
28–28
1940–1941
Clark Shaughnessyshort tenure
16–3
1936–1939
Tiny Thornhillcaretaker
Tiny Thornhill held Stanford at Power Program II for 4 seasons.
Power Program II
10–21