"Our program needs a reset": Stanford GM Andrew Luck fires head coach Troy Taylor over misconduct scandal and NCAA violations

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Stanford University has terminated head football coach Troy Taylor following multiple misconduct allegations and NCAA violations. Internal investigations revealed Taylor’s inappropriate behavior towards female staff and non-compliance with NCAA regulations. General manager Andrew Luck announced the decision, emphasizing the need for a leadership reset.

Stanford University has fired head football coach Troy Taylor after multiple workplace misconduct allegations surfaced, leading to a major leadership shake-up. The decision, made public on Tuesday by former Stanford quarterback and current football program general manager Andrew Luck, comes after internal investigations found Taylor had repeatedly engaged in inappropriate behavior, particularly toward female staff members.

Now that Taylor is out, Stanford is turning its attention to the next chapter. The school is already exploring options for a new head coach and may bring in an interim coach for the 2025 season while they take the time to find the right long-term fit.

Troy Taylor, 56, stepped in as Stanford’s head coach in December 2022, taking over from longtime leader David Shaw. His first two seasons were rough, ending with back-to-back 3-9 records, but that’s not what ultimately cost him the job. The real issue was off the field. Reports of workplace misconduct piled up, prompting two separate investigations—one in 2023 and another in 2024—after several employees raised concerns about his behavior.

The first investigation, led by workplace investigator Kate Weaver Patterson of KWP Consulting & Mediation, found that Taylor created an uncomfortable work environment for female staff. The report outlined multiple instances where he made inappropriate remarks about their appearance. Despite being formally warned and facing disciplinary action, he remained in his position.

In June 2024, Stanford launched a second investigation, this time bringing in the law firm of Libby, O’Brien, Kingsley & Champion. The findings didn’t do Taylor any favors. Timothy O’Brien, the lead investigator, determined that Taylor had treated an NCAA compliance officer unfairly after she flagged possible rule violations.

“Under Coach Taylor’s leadership, the football program has disregarded or simply not followed NCAA rules that they have been repeatedly and consistently educated on by the Compliance Office,” O’Brien stated in documents obtained by ESPN. The investigation also uncovered seven Level III NCAA violations dating back to 2022, ranging from unauthorized team practices to violations related to player eligibility.

During the first investigation, Taylor was under the supervision of Bernard Muir, Stanford’s athletic director at the time. Muir stepped down earlier this month, and while university officials insisted his resignation was unrelated to Taylor’s situation, sources suggested that top leadership, including university president Jon Levin, had been involved in discussions about the coach’s future.

Taylor addressed the controversy last week following ESPN’s report, stating, “I willingly complied with the investigations, accepted the recommendations that came out of them, and used them as a learning opportunity to grow in leadership and how I interact with others. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively and collegially with my colleagues so that we can achieve success for our football program together.”

Andrew Luck, who played a key role in the decision to move on from Taylor, emphasized the need for a reset. “It has been clear that certain aspects of the program need change,” Luck said. “Additionally, in recent days, there has been significant attention to Stanford investigations in previous years related to Coach Taylor. After continued consideration, it is evident to me that our program needs a reset. In consultation with university leadership, I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program.”

Stanford initially tried to handle the issue internally, hitting Taylor with financial penalties and mandating workplace training. But, tensions within the program never fully settled, and as concerns over his leadership grew, it became clear that parting ways was the only viable option.

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With Taylor out, Stanford is focused on finding a head coach who embodies the school’s core values and fosters a culture of inclusivity. Known for its high standards both on and off the field, the football program is now at a crossroads, aiming to rebuild and move forward ahead of the 2025 season.

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