Stanford quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard is set to join the Washington Commanders' coaching staff, according to multiple reports on Monday.
More than just a quarterbacks coach, Pritchard was essentially a one-man institution at Stanford. He was not just a link to the David Shaw glory days, he predates even Jim Harbaugh within the annals of Cardinal football.
A 3-star prospect out of Lakewood, Wash., Pritchard was a member of Walt Harris's 2005 recruiting class. His first start came against No. 1 USC in 2007, a 24-23 upset that set the record for the largest point-spread upset in college football history at the time, which kick-started the Stanford glory years. He remained the starter through his 2009 graduation, then joined the program as a volunteer in 2010. Pritchard never left.
He was named a defensive assistant upon David Shaw's 2011 promotion to head coach, and eventually rose to running backs coach, quarterbacks coach, and offensive coordinator, a job he held from 2018 through Shaw's resignation. New head coach Troy Taylor retained Pritchard as quarterbacks coach through the transition.
In one form or another, the 36-year-old Pritchard has spent half his life associated with Stanford football.
The move will place Pritchard in an important spot on Eric Bieniemy's new-look offense in Washington. The franchise has placed just one quarterback in the Pro Bowl in the last decade, and will look to improve upon its last-place finish in the rough NFC East.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.