Andrew Luck, the most significant recruit During the Jim Harbaugh era at Stanford, a quarterback who took the Cardinals from the minors to national prominence returns to The Farm because the football team's general manager.
Luck will now oversee “all aspects” of this system, the college announced in a news release Saturday morning.
ESPN's Pete Thamel was the primary to report the news.
“I think Stanford is taking a confident and innovative step,” Luck, who played for the Cardinals from 2009 to 2011 after redshirting in 2008, told ESPN. “We are, without a doubt, the best athletic department in college sports. We have to prove it again in football and we are happy to be part of this challenge.”
According to ESPN, Luck's position might be a redefinition of the normal college general manager position.
Instead of reporting primarily to the pinnacle coach, the 35-year-old Luck will oversee the coaching staff, player personnel and recruiting, in addition to the business side of this system.
It's no secret that Stanford has struggled to compete within the “name, image and likeness” era of faculty sports.
The announcement of Luck's return comes a day after Stanford lost to San Jose State, ending its fourth straight 3-9 season, the last two under coach Troy Taylor.
“I am a product of this university, Nerd Nation; I love this place,” Luck said in Stanford’s press release. “I believe strongly in Stanford’s unique approach to athletics and academics and the opportunity to return our program to the top. Coach Taylor is leading the team in the right direction and I can’t wait to work with him, the team and the best, brightest and toughest soccer players in the world.”
Stanford's press release said Luck will work with Taylor on recruiting and roster management, in addition to with athletics and university leadership on all the things from fundraising and alumni relations to student-athlete support and the stadium experience.
Luck, who has remained near his alma mater since entering the NFL because the No. 1 overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, told ESPN that the concept of returning to Stanford football first got here up when he was with school president Jonathan Levin spoke a few conversation a month ago.
According to Luck, Levin suggested, “Why don’t you play soccer, Andrew?”
“Andrew Luck is an example of the Stanford student-athlete,” Levin said in an announcement Saturday. “I am excited for him to return to campus to lead our football program and ensure our student-athletes achieve excellence in the changing collegiate athletics environment.”
Luck was most recently the quarterbacks coach at Palo Alto High School, situated across the road from Stanford Stadium, and started working on his master's degree at Stanford in 2022.
This month, Luck was among the many Stanford dignitaries who attended the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on the SAP Center, which also included the late real estate developer and philanthropist John Arrillaga, a significant donor to Cardinal athletics.
“Besides my parents and the friends and extended family I grew up with, Stanford is home for my wife and I,” Luck told ESPN. “I am deeply influenced by Jim Harbaugh, David Shaw, Pep Hamilton and every coach and professor I have ever had.”
Luck finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2010 and 2011.
“Andrew's credentials as a student-athlete speak for themselves, and in addition to his legacy of excellence, he also brings a deep understanding of the college football landscape and community and an unparalleled passion for Stanford Football,” Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said in an announcement Explanation. “I couldn’t imagine a person more qualified to lead our football program through an ever-evolving landscape, and I’m thrilled that Andrew has agreed to join our team. This change represents a very different way to run our program and compete in an evolving college football landscape.”
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