Tavita Pritchard takes over as Stanford’s head coach after a 4-8 overall and 3-5 ACC campaign in 2025, with Terry Heffernan joining as offensive coordinator. Michigan transfer Davis Warren takes over as starting quarterback, giving Stanford a new focus under center. Micah Ford returns after leading Stanford in rushing yards per game last season. The Cardinal must replace the receiving production of CJ Williams and Sam Roush. UCLA transfer Carter Shaw and JonAnthony Hall take on bigger roles, while Yale transfers David Pantelis and Nico Brown add options. Update (Oct. 14): Jordan Onovughe, JonAnthony Hall, and Liam Thorpe are listed as Stanford’s projected starting receivers, with Benji Blackburn at tight end. The offensive line returns full-time starters Niki Prongos and Kahlil House, each making 12 starts last season, along with center Fisher Anderson, who made 10. Josh Williams also returns after starting all six games he appeared in during 2025, while Harvard transfer Aidan Kilstrom joins the group. Update (Oct. 14): Kilstrom is projected to start at center, with Fisher Anderson moving to right tackle, Kahlil House at left tackle, and Josh Williams at right guard.

Kris Richard takes over as defensive coordinator, and Stanford returns six of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including Matt Rose, Scotty Edwards, Jahsiah Galvan, Jayvion Green, and Tevarua Tafiti. Rose returns at linebacker after making 11 starts, while Galvan made seven. Update (Oct. 14): LB Jahsiah Galvan, who was sidelined with an undisclosed injury in September, appears on Stanford’s latest projected starting lineup, suggesting a return to action. His exact return date has not been independently confirmed. The secondary brings back Green and Edwards, while Washington transfer Leroy Bryant joins the group after making five starts last season.

Nate Kaczor takes over as special teams coordinator with considerable continuity among Stanford’s specialists. Emmet Kenney returns at placekicker after making 16 of 21 field-goal attempts last season, while Aidan Flintoft returns at punter. Liam Thorpe handles punt-return duties, while Chris Davis Jr. handles kickoff returns.

Stanford entered 2026 with a new coaching staff and a transfer quarterback, but returned experience on the offensive line and on defense. Warren gives Stanford a new focus under center, while the Cardinal brought back their leading rusher and six of their top eleven tacklers, including their top four. Update (Oct. 14): Stanford has struggled through the first half of the season, including a 57-3 loss at Wake Forest and a 58-7 defeat at Notre Dame in consecutive weeks. The Cardinal continue to work through significant personnel changes, particularly at receiver and along the offensive line.