5 college coaches who could get NFL head coaching jobs

1. David Shaw, Stanford Head Coach

Shaw has kept rumors tying him to NFL head coaching jobs at bay for years. He even suggested he has satisfied his NFL curiosity in a conversation of Mike Tirico of NBC Sports back in May. He described Stanford, his current job of course, as a destination job for reasons beyond football.

“Stanford’s not a place you just go through, do a good job and jump out of here,” Shaw said. “That’s not the way I see this job. . . . I love being at Stanford because I get the brightest guys, I get the most competitive guys on and off the field. I still tell people I write more recommendations than any football coach in America for graduate school, for job opportunities.”

Shaw spent nine seasons as an NFL assistant, with the Philadelphia Eagles (1997), Oakland Raiders (1998-2001) and Baltimore Ravens (2002-2005). He moved on to Jim Harbaugh’s staff at the University of San Diego in 2006, before following Harbaugh to Stanford and becoming head coach when Harbaugh left for the 49ers in 2011.

Shaw is in his 10th season as head coach at his alma mater. The Cardinal went a dismal 4-8 in 2019, and they’re 2-2 this year after last weekend’s win over a ranked Washington team. Shaw has an 88-36 record with three Rose Bowl appearances (two wins) during his tenure.

A pandemic-altered and shortened 2020 season aside, the program at Stanford is in a bit of a downturn. Shaw won’t necessarily want to bail with that being the case, but NFL teams are sure to come calling again. Is this the year he finally makes the jump?