According to sources, the appointment has been finalized and the team has been informed. He is a former Stanford quarterback, assistant coach and coordinator. Pritchard is the Washington Commander’s quarterbacks coach, a job he took in 2023 after serving in various roles on the Stanford staff from 2010 to 2022.
Pritchard has received permission to leave the Commanders to join the Stanford staff, sources say, and he is expected to do so after Washington plays at Denver on Sunday night.
Pritchard emerged from a pool of more than 30 candidates in a process run by general manager Andrew Luck, which included new athletic director John Donahoe, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Stanford President Jonathan Levin. Stanford’s pool included strong interest from both the college and NFL worlds.
“In addition to her extensive history at the school, Tavita brilliantly emerged as the best candidate,” a Stanford source told ESPN. “His leadership qualities, particularly his approachable approach to people, a strong football mind and history of recruiting high-level players to Stanford all factored into the decision.”
This is the first signed full-time appointment for Luck, who was appointed a year ago. It also marks the biggest initial step in Donahoe’s tenure since being appointed to the athletic director chair on July 31. Pritchard and Luck have a long relationship, as Pritchard was Stanford’s starting quarterback in 2008 before being replaced by Luck in 2009.
Pritchard replaces interim coach Frank Reich, who arrived for the 2025 season. Stanford, 4-7, heads into the season finale against No. 9 Notre Dame on Saturday at home. Reach snapped Stanford’s four-year losing streak last week by defeating rival Cal.
Pritchard has extensive experience on the offensive side of the ball, as he coached Jayden Daniels to his Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl season in 2024.
Pritchard developed a reputation as a renowned quarterback tutor at Stanford since he began coaching wide receivers as well as quarterbacks in 2014. He coached quarterbacks as a position job until his promotion to offensive coordinator in 2018, and he held those jobs until 2022.
During that span, he coached notable quarterbacks, a group that includes Kevin Hogan, Davis Mills, and Tanner McKee. He played a big role in recruiting both Mills and McKee.
Other outstanding players coached by Pritchard as coordinator at Stanford included tailback Bryce Love, tackle Walter Little and receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside.
His return comes at a significant crossroads for Stanford, which has struggled to adjust to the modern realities of college football. Stanford has not had a winning season since 2020, when it went 4-2 during the COVID-19 season. Stanford last played in a bowl game in 2018.
A year ago this week, Stanford President Jonathan Levin made the big decision to bring Luck back as general manager of the program.
Shortly thereafter, Luck fired coach Troy Taylor due to off-field disputes and asked his former NFL coach Reich to come over for one season.
Stanford has done a solid job on the recruiting tail – ESPN has a class ranked in the top 40 – given that recruits had no idea who would be coaching them.
Pritchard was the starting quarterback in one of the most famous games in Stanford history, as he led Stanford to a 24–23 loss to No. 2 USC at The Coliseum in Los Angeles in 2007. Stanford was a 41-point underdog in that game, Pritchard said. Pritchard threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to win the game for the fourth time with 49 seconds remaining.
Pritchard will now lead the program in hopes of creating new touchstone moments.
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