The Detroit Lions have hired former Stanford head coach David Shaw as their passing game coordinator per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
"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.
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.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2025
Shaw, 52, has worked with new OC John Morton before. A big hire for Dan Campbell's remodeled staff. pic.twitter.com/Ro4z3HhWyd
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.
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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.
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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.
His most recent NFL position was in 2005, serving as the wide receivers coach for the Baltimore Ravens.
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About the writer
Sean Treppedi is a Newsweek contributor based in the Greater New York City Area. His focus is reporting on the NFL and NHL. He ... Read more