Stanford Football

Stanford is reportedly targeting Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman to replace David Shaw as the Cardinal's next head football coach.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported there is "mutual interest" between the two parties, and Roman has emerged as the vacancy's top candidate.

The 50-year-old has been an NFL offensive assistant for nearly a quarter-century after beginning his career with the Carolina Panthers in 1995. His only collegiate experience came at Stanford during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, when he served as a tight ends and offensive tackles coach under Jim Harbaugh.

When Harbaugh took the San Francisco 49ers' head coaching job in 2011, Shaw was promoted to Stanford's head coach and Roman followed Harbaugh to San Francisco. Roman has served as the offensive coordinator for the 49ers, Buffalo Bills and Ravens over the course of his career.

Baltimore promoted Roman to offensive coordinator in 2019, lining him up with Lamar Jackson's full-time takeover as the team's starting quarterback. Jackson won an MVP during his first season under Roman's tutelage and has made two of the last three Pro Bowls.

There has been some criticism of Roman's offensive philosophy, leading to speculation about his job security after last season, but he would be a solid hire for a Stanford program in desperate need of a revamp.

The Cardinal were 14-28 during Shaw's final four seasons, with his tenure concluding with back-to-back 3-9 campaigns. Stanford has struggled to keep up in the increasingly competitive college recruitment rat race, with NIL money and the ability of players to transfer more freely creating a difficult environment.

Roman has no head-coaching experience but brings an NFL cache that could create an energy that was lacking late in Shaw's tenure.

Stanford football coach David Shaw announced his resignation Saturday, ending the most successful tenure in program history.

"After many prayers and multiple discussions with my wife, one phrase keeps coming to me - it's time," Shaw said in a statement. "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."

Shaw went 96-54 over the course of 12 seasons at his alma mater, setting the all-time record for wins in program history. The 50-year-old began his career with a stretch of unprecedented success, with the Cardinal reeling off eight straight winning seasons and reaching a New Year's Six game four times.

However, the program has fallen off significantly over the last four seasons. Shaw leaves after going a combined 14-28 since 2019, including back-to-back 3-9 campaigns.

Once considered a hot candidate for NFL head-coaching jobs, Shaw says he has no immediate plans to continue coaching.

"I am not burnt out," Shaw told reporters. "I'm healthy; I feel good. But 16 years is a long time. ... 16 years of running a program, 16 years of being responsible for everything and everybody catches up to you."

Shaw came to Stanford in 2007 to serve as the offensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh. He was named head coach when Harbaugh left for the San Francisco 49ers after the 2010 season, continuing the upward trajectory that began during the Harbaugh era. Stanford won three Pac-12 titles in Shaw's first five seasons and peaked in 2015, finishing as the third-ranked team in the country.

While Shaw drew praise for doing less with more—Stanford's high academic requirements can create issues in recruiting—the program has lagged behind in an era of transfers and NIL endorsements.

"Stanford historically doesn't change quickly," Shaw said. "We are methodical. ... It's been difficult, but it's been difficult for everybody."

Shaw previously spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens before coming to Stanford. It would not be a surprise to see him eventually land an NFL coaching position, though he's not going to be at the top of as many lists as he would have been four or five years ago.

The Stanford Tree will have a new inhabitant for the time being.

Jordan Zietz, who became the 44th student to occupy the costume in April, was suspended from his Tree-related duties after holding a banner that read, "Stanford hates fun." The marching band, of which the Stanford Tree is a part, handed down the ban.

The offending banner was shown at halftime of the Cardinal's 15-14 win over Arizona State on Oct. 22.

Theo Baker of the Stanford Daily reported how the act of protest reflected concerns of students who believe the school has launched a "war on fun" and been too heavy-handed in restricting on-campus parties and events.

Even though Stanford administrators weren't involved in issuing the punishment, the Tree's suspension is unlikely to help that perception.

No. 3 Oregon was upset on Saturday in a 31-24 overtime loss to unranked Stanford.

Oregon star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, a preseason all-American, was penalized for targeting and ejected during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. He'll miss the first half of the Ducks' next game against Cal on October 15.

Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee was outstanding with 230 yards and three touchdowns, including the two biggest scores of the game. After a defensive holding penalty gave Stanford the ball on Oregon's two-yard line with no time left on the clock, McKee found Elijah Higgins in the end zone to force overtime.

In the extra period, McKee orchestrated a six-play drive that ended with a touchdown pass to John Humphreys to take the lead. Stanford's defense stopped Oregon in four downs on the very next possession to seal the win.

Oregon trailed by 10 at halftime before rallying in the second half to take the lead. Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown was held to 186 yards and threw an interception but added two rushing touchdowns.

However, the Ducks committed three penalties on Stanford's game-tying 87-yard drive in the final 1:59 of regulation. Thibodeaux had six tackles with one for a loss before being ejected from the game. A roughing the passer penalty followed by the defensive holding call gifted Stanford the extra chances it needed to tie the game.

Oregon was without offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead, who was being evaluated for a non-COVID-related illness. The Ducks also lost running back CJ Verdell to injury as he was taken to the locker room on a cart in the third quarter. Verdell ran for 63 yards and a touchdown prior to his exit.

Oregon was the third team ranked in the Top 10 to lose on Saturday.

Add Stanford head coach David Shaw to the list of people frustrated with Fox's Big Noon Kickoff.

Shaw voiced his displeasure with Fox Sports for scheduling his team's Sept. 4 season opener against Kansas State for noon ET, which will be 9 a.m. on the body clocks for Stanford players. He also showed some support for fellow Pac-12 school Oregon, which will take on Ohio State on Sept. 11 at noon ET.

"I am pissed at Fox for our kickoff time against Kansas State," Shaw said, per Stewart Mandel of The Athletic. "… For Stanford in particular and Oregon to be going and playing in a different time zone, and give us an early kickoff, to me, is incredibly disrespectful. And it shows a lack of understanding of what we have to do, and the way that time difference truly affects us. It shows a lack of care for our student athletes."

He continued, saying, "That, to me, is something that is egregious, and I don't care who I piss off, but I think they're wrong. A lot of our people in our conference are upset too."

Playing these marquee nonconference games, especially in the case of Oregon against the powerhouse Buckeyes, is difficult enough for Power Five schools looking to make an early season statement without having to worry about time-zone differences.

There is also something to be said about the difference in environments between early and late kickoffs, although that could work in Oregon's favor going to Ohio State. Early kickoffs give fans less time to tailgate, which means it could lead to less raucous atmospheres even for high-profile showdowns.

That seemed to be the implication when Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione issued a statement saying the school is "bitterly disappointed" with an early kickoff for its upcoming game against Nebraska:

There is, of course, something of a tradeoff between schools and conferences receiving the publicity that comes with massive media-rights deals and what said media companies want to do in terms of kickoff times and maximizing ratings.

But Fox's commitment to dominating the noon ET time slot isn't sitting right with some people in college football.

The Pac-12 apologized Friday for errors that resulted in a false positive test for a Stanford football player prior to last week's game against Oregon.

The conference noted that the student-athlete tested positive before the Oregon game. As a result, he and other players who were deemed close contacts were unable to play.

The player underwent daily PCR diagnostic testing afterward, and those tests determined he did not have COVID-19, so he has been cleared to resume practicing and playing.

Stanford announced prior to the Oregon game that starting quarterback Davis Mills, defensive end Trey LaBounty and wide receiver Connor Wedington would be unavailable because of COVID-19 protocols.

Without those players in the lineup, Stanford fell 35-14 to the No. 12 Ducks on the road. It was the opening weekend for the Pac-12 after the conference's season was delayed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Junior Jack West played in place of Mills and went 13-of-19 for 154 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Freshman Tanner McKee also saw some action under center, going 3-of-7 for 62 yards.

Mills, who is a senior, appeared in eight games last season, completing 65.6 percent of his passes for 1,960 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also had an eight-yard receiving score.

The Cardinal will look to get back on track Saturday against the 1-0 Colorado Buffaloes.

Since Pac-12 teams are only playing a six-game regular-season schedule, Stanford can ill afford to fall to 0-2 if it wants to vie for a Pac-12 title or qualify for a bowl game.

With Pac-12 football postponed until at least the spring, Stanford offensive tackle Walker Little has opted out of playing this season.

Little announced his decision on Stanford's athletic website:

"I returned to Stanford for my senior year to finish my degree and play one more season with my teammates. This fall, I will indeed graduate, but with so much uncertainty regarding the football season, the time is right to opt out of the 2020-21 season and prepare for the NFL Draft.

"The past three-plus years at Stanford have prepared me for this moment and I am ready and eager for what the future holds.

"I will always cherish the memories I have made with my teammates both on and off the field. The men in the locker room are what has made Stanford Football special for me.

"I want to thank Coach Shaw for being true to what he said in recruiting and taking care of me, guiding me and changing me into the man I am now. He has helped me reach my ultimate goal, a Stanford degree and an opportunity to play in the NFL. For that I will always be grateful."

Little is the second high-profile offensive tackle in the Pac-12 to announce he won't play if there's a season in the spring. 

Oregon's Penei Sewell announced his decision Monday on Twitter. 

B/R's Matt Miller projected Little as the No. 19 overall pick to the Green Bay Packers in his way-too-early 2021 mock draft released Monday:

"He was my top tackle on the board before the 2019 season started, but a knee injury cost him that campaign. Without a 2020 season, his stock could now be damaged by a lack of tape.

"What's out there on Little is very good, though. His sophomore tape was first-round-caliber, and as long as teams are comfortable with where his knee is at after almost two years of not playing, his technique and upside are as good as any blocker the Packers could hope to find this late in the draft."

Last season was a lost year for Little, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 against Northwestern. He announced in December he was returning to school for his senior season. 

Little has been a standout member of the Cardinal's offensive line since his arrival on campus in 2017. The 21-year-old shared the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year award with Arizona running back J.J. Taylor. He followed that up by being named to the All-Pac-12 first team as a sophomore in 2018. 

Stanford is planning to cut 11 varsity sports due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

University president Marc Tessier-Lavigne, provost Persis Drell and athletic director Bernard Muir announced the move Wednesday in an open letter.

"We now face the reality that significant change is needed to create fiscal stability for Stanford Athletics, and to provide the support we believe is essential for our student-athletes to excel," the letter read.

The 11 sports are as follows:

• men's fencing
• women's fencing
• field hockey
• lightweight rowing
• men's rowing
• co-ed sailing
• women's sailing
• squash
• synchronized swimming
• men's volleyball
• wrestling

Stanford said more than 240 student-athletes and 22 coaches made up the 11 teams. Collectively, the programs also won 20 national championships and saw their athletes win 27 Olympic medals.

The school said prior to the pandemic the athletics department was expected to run at a $12 million deficit for the 2021 fiscal year. That number had been updated to $25 million when factoring in the pandemic, and suspending any 2020-21 athletic seasons would further exacerbate the problem.

Stanford isn't the only school in a similar position. ESPN.com listed the numerous universities that have either cut certain sports or placed athletic employees on furlough to mitigate the financial ramifications. 

The pandemic already forced the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA basketball tournament and spring sports altogether. Universities across the country have also closed their campuses and transitioned to online learning.

The upcoming fall season could be impacted as well.

With the number of cases showing few signs of a decline, the 2020 college football campaign could be in danger. Should the season kick off as scheduled in late August, schools would almost certainly have stadium with limited capacity or no fans altogether, thus losing out on revenue from ticket and concession sales.

Stanford coach David Shaw thinks there could "potentially" be some protests during the national anthem in college football this season.

"I think we are in a different place right now as a nation than we were a few years ago with Colin Kaepernick," he told Tim Kawakami of The Athletic.

Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem during the 2016 NFL season to protest racial injustice and police brutality. He was widely criticized—including by the president—and since becoming a free agent in 2017, he hasn't been signed.

Protests have emerged the past few weeks after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. Athletes have said they will kneel when their seasons resume, including some college football players like those at Iowa.

Though Shaw said he wouldn't kneel, he would be supportive of players on his team who protest before or during games:

"I would. And this conversation came up when Colin Kaepernick started his protests. And I've been very consistent with our guys. I say I will never tell you what to do, what to think or what to say. All I tell them is if you're going to take a stand, first and foremost, do your research. Be a Stanford guy. Look things up, find facts and figures that support your argument."

In 2016, Shaw said he told his players, "If you want to stand for something, understand the history of it and be able to defend your position," via Vytas Mazeika of the Mercury News.

Shaw also talked about Drew Brees. The New Orleans Saints quarterback said earlier this month he would "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag" but was criticized for misunderstanding the point of the protests during the national anthem. He later offered multiple apologies. 

"I felt bad for Drew; he misunderstood," Shaw said. 

The Stanford coach added: "In a very short period of time, it wasn't just that he was backing down to the pressure. His teammates got to him."

Shaw also detailed the racism he's experienced in his own life:

"It's best to assume that every single person in this country who is not white has experienced racism. It's just best to assume that instead of assuming, 'Oh, because you're the head football coach at Stanford and you have a Stanford degree, you surely haven't had to deal with racism.' But yes, I was pulled over five blocks from my house. I don't drink, so I wasn't swerving. And I don't speed. I've never gotten a ticket. But I got pulled over, 10:30 at night, five blocks from my house."

The 47-year-old is one of 13 African American head coaches in FBS among 130 schools.

"I was told at a young age, you're going to have to be twice as good to get half as much," Shaw said. "It's just the mentality that I'm going to have to overcome things that other people are not going to have to overcome in order to achieve what I want to achieve."

Zach Hoffpauir, a former two-sport athlete at Stanford University, died Thursday at the age of 26. 

Doug Hoffpauir, Zach's father, told Richard Obert of the Arizona Republic in a text message about his son's death. 

No cause of death was given. 

Hoffpauir played baseball for the Cardinal from 2012-15 until he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also played football from 2012-15 and again in 2016 and was an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 team as a junior in 2014. 

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, who played with Hoffpauir in college, wrote a message on Instagram about his former teammate:

"Yesterday Heaven gained an angel, and I lost one of my best friends in the world. Zach showed me the way when I got to college. He did things the right way. He taught me how to enjoy life. He taught me how to not give a f--k about what people think about me, and to do it my way. He never lost an argument, or a dance battle, and he said what he meant and meant what he said. I never doubted for a second whether or not he had my back. He was a true friend and a great brother to anyone he knew. He was a walking example of how to care for people, a rare soul."

Hoffpauir was recently hired to be a defensive backs coach at Northern Colorado for head coach Ed McCaffrey, Christian's father.

An Arizona native, Hoffpauir played safety and outfield at Stanford.