Stanford Football: Coaching Candidates to Replace David Shaw

David Shaw stepped down as Stanford's head coach following the team's loss to BYU on Saturday night. Shaw is the winningest coach in program history and accumulated a 96-54 overall mark since 2011. The Cardinal posted five double-digit win seasons and won three Pac-12 titles under Shaw's direction. However, the program had regressed in recent years and was just 6-18 since '19. 

Who could replace Shaw at Stanford? Here are some names to watch in the coaching search:

Coaching Candidates to Replace David Shaw at Stanford

Mike Bloomgren, Head Coach, Rice
If Stanford wants to opt for familiarity, Bloomgren is a former Stanford assistant (2011-17) under Shaw and would make a lot of sense. He's also gained valuable experience as a head coach for the last five years, guiding Rice to a 16-38 mark since '18.

Brent Brennan, Head Coach, San Jose State
Would Stanford have any interest in a coach not too far down the road? Brennan is a California native and has extensive ties to the Pac-12 after a playing career at UCLA, along with a stint as an assistant at Oregon State (2011-16). San Jose State isn't an easy job, but Brennan is 19-12 over the last three years, bringing his overall mark to 27-41 since '17.

Tom Herman, Former Texas Head Coach
Herman has been away from the sidelines for the last two years, but it's only a matter of time before he gets another shot to run a program. Could Stanford be a potential fit? Herman grew up in California and later graduated from Cal Lutheran. After stints as an assistant at Sam Houston State, Texas State, Rice, Iowa State and Ohio State, Herman became the head coach at Houston. Herman went 22-4 with the Cougars over two years and later went 32-18 before his dismissal at Texas.

Derek Mason, Defensive Coordinator, Oklahoma State
If Stanford wants to go with familiarity, Mason has to be near the top of the list. The Arizona native worked at Stanford from 2010-13, including the last two years as the defensive play-caller. Mason took over as Vanderbilt's head coach in '14 and went 27-55 until his dismissal in '20. The Commodores did not have a winning season, but Mason guided the program to two bowl trips. He's worked as the defensive coordinator at Auburn (2021) and Oklahoma State ('22) the last two years.

Bronco Mendenhall, Former BYU/Virginia Head Coach
Mendenhall stepped down as Virginia's head coach after the '21 season, but the Utah native has been mentioned for openings this year, likely indicating a willingness to return to the sideline. Mendenhall went 8-17 in his first two years with the Cavaliers but proceeded to go 28-21 with a Coastal Division title over the last four seasons in charge. Mendenhall also went 99-43 at BYU from 2005-15. He's 135-81 overall as a head coach at the FBS level.

Chris Petersen, Former Washington Head Coach
If - and it's a big if - Petersen is interested in a return to the sidelines, it should be a quick coaching search for Stanford. The California native went 92-12 at Boise State from 2006-13 and guided Washington to a 55-26 mark from 2014-19. It's a longshot Petersen wants to return to coaching. However, Stanford needs to at least inquire, as this is a job that could intrigue him. 

Greg Roman, Offensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens
Roman is probably a longshot here but deserves a mention due to his previous ties to the program as an assistant from 2009-10. The New Jersey native has worked in the NFL since '11, making stops with the 49ers, Bills and Ravens. Roman does not have any experience as a head coach.

Troy Taylor, Head Coach, Sacramento State
Taylor might not be the biggest name in this search, but he should get consideration to be the program's next coach. The California native has Pac-12 experience thanks to stops at California (1996-00) and Utah (2017-18) and had a successful stint as head coach at Folsom High School (2002-04 and 2005-15). Taylor took over as Sacramento State's head coach in '19 and has guided the team to a 29-7 mark over three seasons of play.

Troy Walters, Wide Receivers Coach, Cincinnati Bengals
Walters has never been a college head coach, but he has strong ties to the program after a prolific career as a receiver from 1996-99 at Stanford. The Indiana native made stops at NC State, Texas A&M, Colorado, UCF and Nebraska as an assistant before joining the Bengals' staff in '20. 

A Longhot...But Stanford Should Inquire

Dave Clawson, Head Coach, Wake Forest
Clawson signed a long-term extension last offseason and has a good thing going at Wake Forest. In other words, there's no urgency to leave. However, Stanford would be wise to inquire if Clawson has any interest. The New York native is 58-53 at Wake Forest and has guided the program to seven consecutive bowls (counting '22). His experience in turning around a tough academic program has to appeal to Stanford. But again, this is a longshot.