STANFORD, Calif. — Andrew Luck is making his return to Stanford University with ambitions of revitalizing a football program that he once helped to establish as a national contender.
The university’s athletic director, Bernard Muir, announced this past Saturday that Luck will take on the role of general manager for the Stanford football team, where he will be responsible for managing all facets of a program that recently finished a challenging season with a 3-9 record under head coach Troy Taylor.
“I am a product of this university, of Nerd Nation; I love this place,” said Luck. “I have a profound belief in Stanford’s distinctive blend of athletics and academics, and I am eager to assist in our program’s rise back to prominence. Coach Taylor has set the team on a positive trajectory, and I look forward to collaborating with him, the coaching staff, and the most exceptional football players.”
Following his unexpected retirement from the NFL at the age of 29, announced in August 2019 after his tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, Luck has maintained a relatively low public profile.
In his new capacity, he will partner with Coach Taylor on aspects such as recruitment and roster management, while also engaging with both the athletic department and the university’s leadership for fundraising initiatives, alumni engagement, sponsorship opportunities, and enhancements to student-athlete experiences.
“Andrew’s background as a student-athlete is exemplary,” remarked Muir. “Alongside his outstanding legacy, he possesses a deep knowledge of the college football environment and a unique enthusiasm for Stanford football. It’s hard to imagine someone more qualified to navigate our program through these changing times in college sports. I am delighted that Andrew has chosen to join us. This marks a new approach to how we operate and compete in the evolving landscape of college football.”
Luck played a significant role in transforming Stanford into a powerhouse on the West Coast during his time there. He successfully ended a seven-year bowl game drought in his first season as the starting quarterback in 2009 under coach Jim Harbaugh and helped lead the Cardinal to consecutive BCS bowl appearances in his final two seasons, where he was a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy each time.
During his seven-year stretch at Stanford, the Cardinal achieved one of the best records nationally at 76-18 and made five BCS bowl appearances under the leadership of Harbaugh and David Shaw.
However, in recent years, the team has struggled significantly, failing to secure more than four victories in a season since 2018. Under Taylor’s supervision, Stanford recently completed its fourth successive season with a 3-9 record, and they have become the only power conference team to finish with at least nine losses in each of the last four seasons.
Luck, who graduated with a degree in architectural design from Stanford, returned to the university after his NFL career to earn a master’s degree in education in 2023.
He was selected as the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, where he made a mark by being named to four Pro Bowls and was recognized as the AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2018, highlighting his impactful but brief professional football journey.
