Andrew Luck is finally making his return to football, but not in a playing capacity.
The former Indianapolis Colts superstar quarterback has been hired by Stanford, his alma mater, as the football program's general manager, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Saturday.
“I am a product of this university, of Nerd Nation; I love this place,” Luck said. “I believe deeply in Stanford’s unique approach to athletics and academics and the opportunity to help drive our program back to the top. Coach Taylor has the team pointed in the right direction, and I cannot wait to work with him, the staff, and the best, brightest, and toughest football players in the world.”
According to Thamel, Luck will oversee the entire program, from the on-field product to the business side, which is a step above the traditional college football GM role.
In his new role, he will work with coach Troy Taylor on recruiting and roster management, and with athletic department and university leadership on fundraising, alumni relations, sponsorships, student-athlete support and stadium experience.
"I'm excited," Luck said to Thamel. "I think Stanford is taking an assertive and innovative step. We're undoubtedly the best athletic department in college sports. We have to re-prove it in football, and we're excited to be part of that challenge."
Stanford moved to the Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) this season, joining the California Golden Bears as the two teams to defect from the Pac-12 for the opposite coastal conference.
The Cardinal has struggled in its first year in the ACC and sits in second-to-last place with a 3-9 overall record and a 2-6 conference record.
In all, the program hasn't been at its best in some time, as they've had four straight losing seasons and haven't played in a bowl game since 2018 when they beat Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl.
It's a far cry from the team that Luck played in for three seasons from 2009-2011, helping them to a 31-7 record. The 2010 campaign was his best, guiding the Cardinal under coach Jim Harbaugh to a 12-1 record and an impressive win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. They just missed out on the College Football Playoff, finishing the season ranked fifth in the AP poll.
“Andrew’s credentials as a student-athlete speak for themselves, and in addition to his legacy of excellence, he also brings a deep understanding of the college football landscape and community, and an unparalleled passion for Stanford football,” Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said. “I could not think of a person better qualified to guide our football program through a continuously evolving landscape, and I am thrilled that Andrew has agreed to join our team. This change represents a very different way of operating our program and competing in an evolving college football landscape.”
The four-time NFL Pro-Bowler told ESPN that the idea to take over the program came up "organically" a month ago, with Stanford president Jonathan Levin asking the decorated alumnus to return to the school.
"This makes too much sense," Luck said. "I would not do this at any other place, not just me, but my wife, too. It's a special place for me and a lot of people."
Even after being drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, Luck continued to stay involved with Stanford. He went back to the school in 2022 to earn a master's degree in education.
After suddenly retiring from pro football in 2019, Luck stepped out of the limelight and away from the game. However, in 2023 he began working as a part-time volunteer coach at Palo Alto High School, marking his first official return to football, albeit in a limited capacity.
He told ESPN that the two years he spent with that high school program reminded him of his love for the game and is now excited to be back in a bigger capacity, helping out with the college game at a school that holds a special place in his heart and life.
"I think I'm entering this with eyes wide open and aware of my strength and my limitations," Luck told ESPN. "I know there's a lot that I do not know. Part of that makes it exciting.
"I'm very thankful for what football has given me ... This is going to be a daunting challenge. It's a steep climb, but I'm fired up."
-- With files from the Associated Press
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