Detroit Lions Make a Move, Hire Former Stanford Head Coach – Fans Didn’t See This Coming!

“Former Stanford head coach David Shaw and the #Lions have agreed to terms on a multiyear deal to hire him as passing game coordinator, per sources. Shaw, 52, has worked with new OC John Morton before. A big hire for Dan Campbell’s remodeled staff,” Pelissero said on X.

Shaw, who served as a senior personnel executive for the Denver Broncos in 2024, is now part of a revamped offensive coaching staff. This includes new offensive coordinator John Morton, who also makes the move from Denver, where he was the pass game coordinator.

Shaw had a successful 11-year run as the head coach of Stanford, from 2011 to 2022, taking over after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL. During his tenure, Shaw achieved a 96-54 record, leading the Cardinal to three Pac-12 titles and two Rose Bowl victories. Among his notable players was Andrew Luck, the top pick in the 2012 NFL draft, whom Shaw coached during his time at Stanford.

David Shaw

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium on
Tanner Engstrand served as the Lions’ former passing coordinator and is currently under consideration for the New York Jets offensive coordinator position.
Aaron Glenn, who was recently named the new head coach in New York, worked with Engstrand in Detroit having been the defensive coordinator.

Prior to his head coaching role at Stanford, which he held from 2011-2022 and posted a 96-54 overall record, Shaw spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator within the program.

In his final four seasons as head coach, the Cardinal failed to win more than four games in a single season — it posted a 3-9 record in Shaw’s final season in 2022.

Despite ending his tenure on a tough note, Shaw was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year four times. Over his 12 seasons at Stanford, he led the team to three Pac-12 championships and two Rose Bowl wins. With 96 career victories, Shaw holds the record for the most wins by any head coach in Stanford history, surpassing the previous mark of 72 set by legendary coach Pop Warner.

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