[81alum]

I think the most important qualities for a Stanford head coach are:

1) Imaginative, creative, big thinking.  Figuring out contrarian strategies, figuring out how to turn Stanford's unique qualities from barriers to success into reasons for success, inventing new ways to deal with NIL and transfers that work for this program, etc. 

2) Charisma of one sort or another--recruiting and motivating players and assistants is becoming more important and not less.

3) Administrative acumen, the ability to pick excellent subordinates, the ability to negotiate from strength with Stanford administration.  The job of being a head football coach is in this complex modern era goes far beyond X's and O's.  I almost don't want a head coach distracted by that level of football detail.  I do want a head coach who attracts, mentors, and empowers the best assistants in the business who do have an eye for detail.

In other words, I think we need a CEO of Stanford football.  This would suggest a proven record at one level or another of managing a team of assistants, with a track record of recruiting and dealing successfully with administration.  And of course a record of success.  I'd rather have someone who has been winning at a lower level while practicing the management skills I outlined, than a brilliant coordinator from a higher level who lacks that sort of experience.

Now, I have not been following in detail the characteristics of the various names that are being floated.  Which of them seems to fit my bill?

[81alum]

I think the most important qualities for a Stanford head coach are:

1) Imaginative, creative, big thinking.  Figuring out contrarian strategies, figuring out how to turn Stanford's unique qualities from barriers to success into reasons for success, inventing new ways to deal with NIL and transfers that work for this program, etc. 

2) Charisma of one sort or another--recruiting and motivating players and assistants is becoming more important and not less.

3) Administrative acumen, the ability to pick excellent subordinates, the ability to negotiate from strength with Stanford administration.  The job of being a head football coach is in this complex modern era goes far beyond X's and O's.  I almost don't want a head coach distracted by that level of football detail.  I do want a head coach who attracts, mentors, and empowers the best assistants in the business who do have an eye for detail.

In other words, I think we need a CEO of Stanford football.  This would suggest a proven record at one level or another of managing a team of assistants, with a track record of recruiting and dealing successfully with administration.  And of course a record of success.  I'd rather have someone who has been winning at a lower level while practicing the management skills I outlined, than a brilliant coordinator from a higher level who lacks that sort of experience.

Now, I have not been following in detail the characteristics of the various names that are being floated.  Which of them seems to fit my bill?