David Shaw resigns after 12 seasons as Stanford soccer HC

Stanford head coach David Shaw has resigned after 12 seasons at his alma mater.

Shaw introduced his determination to step down, efficient instantly, after Saturday evening’s 36-25 loss to BYU in Stanford’s season finale.

“I prayed about it, I considered it,” Shaw mentioned. “With each hour it appeared, it was extra cemented in my head. The phrase that stored coming to me is: ‘It is time.'”

Shaw, 50, mentioned he had not contemplating resigning till earlier this previous week, and mentioned he has no want to teach one other crew at this level.

“I’m not burnt out,” he mentioned. “I am wholesome; I really feel good. However 16 years is a very long time. … 16 years of working a program, 16 years of being answerable for all the things and all people catches as much as you.”

Shaw steps down because the winningest head coach in Stanford historical past with 96 profession victories. His resignation comes after back-to-back 3-9 seasons and a stretch since 2019 the place the Cardinal have gone 14-28.

Stanford is 3-16 in Pac-12 play the previous two seasons, together with consecutive losses to rival California.

“There are lots of people that assume this program is down. That is what our document says,” mentioned Shaw, who completed with a 96-54 document at Stanford. “However I take a look at the parts. I take a look at the folks right here, the help that I am listening to coming from our athletic director, from our college president, the folks which can be behind the scenes. We’re not that far-off.”

“I want to thank David for his immense contributions to Stanford,” athletic director Bernard Muir mentioned in a press release. “David has represented Stanford soccer, as each a participant and a coach, with unwavering grace, humility and integrity. He has cared tremendously for each student-athlete in his program whereas serving to them pursue their full educational and athletic potential. David will perpetually stay a valued member of the Stanford soccer household and an integral a part of the storied historical past of this system. I hope Cardinal followers in all places will be a part of me in thanking David and his household for his or her extraordinary years of service and wishing all of them the very best of their subsequent chapter.”

Shaw, who performed vast receiver for the Cardinal from 1991 to 1994, has been a part of Stanford’s teaching workers since 2007. He first started as an offensive coordinator for 4 seasons earlier than being promoted to the pinnacle teaching job in 2011 after Jim Harbaugh departed for the NFL.

It did not take lengthy for Shaw to succeed. Throughout his first 4 seasons, he led Stanford to 3 Rose Bowls, together with two victories, in addition to three Pac-12 titles — and 4 Pac-12 Coach of the 12 months awards — throughout that span.

Shaw expressed Saturday how tough the brand new faculty soccer panorama, with NIL and the switch portal, has been for Stanford, however he didn’t acknowledge that was a purpose for his departure.

“Stanford traditionally would not change shortly,” he mentioned. “We’re methodical. … It has been tough nevertheless it’s been tough for everyone.”

Shaw mentioned the switch portal “shall be very engaging” to present Stanford gamers upon his departure. Requested if he believes Stanford can return to the extent it was at when he first took the job, Shaw mentioned sure.

“Development,” Shaw responded when requested what it is going to take for Stanford to bounce again. “And it is not going to be rapid.”

The varsity acknowledged it is going to instantly start a nationwide search to discover a new coach.

Info from The Related Press was used on this report.