[Goose]

Prior to Shaw, the last coach to win 7+ games and a conference title at least once was John Ralston, before I was born.  The last time we’ve finished over .500 three consecutive years before Shaw was 1976-1978 (Jack Christensen’s last year and Walsh I’s two years).

BC

Tyrone Willingham, 1999. 8-4 (7-1 Pac-10), Pac-12 champions, Rose Bowl 2K

I think you missed the above 0.500 three consecutive years part. Willingham was 3-8 the year before the Rose Bowl and 5-6 the year after. He was above 0.500 the first two years he coached at Stanford, but after that alternated sub-500 years with better years. To be fair, the 1999 team won the conference in large measure because the rest of the conference was BAD that year. Stanford was OK, which was better than the rest. There were some good players on that team, but it wasn't really a very strong group. Willingham got about all one could out of it, and that was enough. The fact they almost won the Rose Bowl despite so many injuries was a tribute to the guys and to the staff. I remember the atmosphere in the stands being that we were all holding our breath, fearing this couldn't last. It unfortunately didn't, but it was close.

[Goose]

Prior to Shaw, the last coach to win 7+ games and a conference title at least once was John Ralston, before I was born.  The last time we’ve finished over .500 three consecutive years before Shaw was 1976-1978 (Jack Christensen’s last year and Walsh I’s two years).

BC

Tyrone Willingham, 1999. 8-4 (7-1 Pac-10), Pac-12 champions, Rose Bowl 2K

I think you missed the above 0.500 three consecutive years part. Willingham was 3-8 the year before the Rose Bowl and 5-6 the year after. He was above 0.500 the first two years he coached at Stanford, but after that alternated sub-500 years with better years. To be fair, the 1999 team won the conference in large measure because the rest of the conference was BAD that year. Stanford was OK, which was better than the rest. There were some good players on that team, but it wasn't really a very strong group. Willingham got about all one could out of it, and that was enough. The fact they almost won the Rose Bowl despite so many injuries was a tribute to the guys and to the staff. I remember the atmosphere in the stands being that we were all holding our breath, fearing this couldn't last. It unfortunately didn't, but it was close.