Stanford University has fired head football coach Troy Taylor effective immediately, following an ESPN exposé detailing troubling workplace behavior during his two seasons leading the Cardinal. The decision comes as a bombshell just months before the 2025 season kicks off.
“After continued consideration, it is evident to me that our program needs a reset,” Stanford football general manager Andrew Luck stated. “I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program.”
The ESPN report revealed a pattern of bullying and belittling female athletic staff members and detailed how Taylor allegedly sought to have an NCAA compliance officer removed from her position after she flagged rule violations.
Taylor, in response, claimed he had cooperated with two internal investigations and had “used them as a learning opportunity to grow in leadership and how I interact with others.” However, a deeper dive into the investigations suggests otherwise.
The investigation convicted Taylor
Conducted by attorney Timothy O’Brien, the second probe found Taylor’s treatment of the compliance officer “inappropriate, discriminatory on the basis of her sex,” and noted his “forceful and aggressive” demeanor. The report concluded that Taylor had retaliated against the compliance staffer, which could warrant disciplinary action under NCAA bylaws.
The turmoil off the field mirrored Stanford’s struggles on it. Taylor was hired in 2022 after a successful three-year stint at Sacramento State, where he posted a 30-8 record.
But his time at Stanford was far less fruitful, with back-to-back 3-9 seasons. The program has now endured four straight losing seasons, a stark contrast to its former dominance under David Shaw.
The season was already difficult for Stanford
Stanford’s transition from the crumbling Pac-12 to the ACC has made the job even more challenging, given the high academic standards and rigorous travel schedule ahead. The 2025 season includes grueling road trips to Miami, North Carolina, Virginia, and SMU, as well as a season opener in Hawaii.
With Taylor out, Stanford will now launch a coaching search to find the leader capable of restoring the program’s reputation and competitiveness. Whether they can attract top coaching talent amid these challenges remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the Cardinal’s upcoming season is already off to a turbulent start.
