David Shaw

David Shaw enters his twelfth season as the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football at Stanford University, following four seasons as Stanford's offensive coordinator. A 1995 Stanford graduate and the fifth alum to hold the head coach position, Shaw is the 34th head coach in Stanford history. He signed a long-term contract extension following the 2012 regular season.

Since becoming head coach in 2011, Shaw has led Stanford to significant successes, including three Pac-12 Championships and a Rose Bowl victory in 2013. Under his leadership, Stanford has defeated numerous top-ranked teams and consistently ranked among the top for defensive and offensive statistics nationally. Shaw was named the 2012 and 2017 Pac-12 Conference Coach of the Year and received AFCA Regional Coach of the Year honors in 2013. He was also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, given to the national coach of the year.

Shaw's tenure has not only been marked by athletic achievement but also by academic excellence. Stanford football under Shaw won the AFCA Academic Achievement Award in 2012, reflecting high academic standards. His commitment to developing players is evident in the number of Stanford players who have moved on to the NFL, with Shaw playing a crucial role in their development. Additionally, Shaw's broader contributions to football and its impact were highlighted when he spoke at TEDxStanford on the topic "Can Football Change The World?"

Prior to his tenure as head coach, Shaw served as Stanford's offensive coordinator, where he was instrumental in the resurgence of the program, helping set school scoring records. Shaw's coaching career also includes significant NFL experience, having worked with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens. During his time in the NFL, Shaw contributed to team successes such as the Ravens' AFC North title in 2003 and the Raiders' AFC West titles.

A former player himself, Shaw was a four-year letterwinner at Stanford as a receiver, participating in the 1991 Aloha Bowl and the 1993 Blockbuster Bowl. He graduated from Stanford in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Shaw's father, Willie Shaw, also had a notable coaching career, including two stints at Stanford. Shaw, born in San Diego, California, and his wife Kori are the parents of three children—Keegan, Carter, and Gavin, and he continues to represent the Pac-12 on the AFCA Ethics Committee.