[McKenwood]

I think those calling on Pritchard to get experience elsewhere misunderstand him/Stanford. He’s a Stanford lifer if he has anything to say about it. He’s Dave Tipton.

I think I do understand that. However, much as some Stanford graduate programs do not accept their own undergraduates, even (especially?) Stanford Lifers have to polish there resume. Dave Tipton played six years in the NFL. That demonstrates he wasn't just a "Stanford Phenomenon". Tavita doesn't have that, or anything like it, and I think that all by itself makes it very difficult for most to "see" him as a head coach (other reasons non-withstanding). If you are a "lifer" assistant at Stanford, eventually some new HC coach will let you go. You need to be able to land on your feet and earn your way back, or become the HC so that can't happen.

Exactly. Tipton went away and proved himself in pros (playing and coaching) before coming back to Stanford. All it takes is one head coach who wants to go in a different direction and he is on the street. From a professional development standpoint I would think he would want to do something different for a period if nothing else to prove that Stanford is where he wants to be.

[McKenwood]

I think those calling on Pritchard to get experience elsewhere misunderstand him/Stanford. He’s a Stanford lifer if he has anything to say about it. He’s Dave Tipton.

I think I do understand that. However, much as some Stanford graduate programs do not accept their own undergraduates, even (especially?) Stanford Lifers have to polish there resume. Dave Tipton played six years in the NFL. That demonstrates he wasn't just a "Stanford Phenomenon". Tavita doesn't have that, or anything like it, and I think that all by itself makes it very difficult for most to "see" him as a head coach (other reasons non-withstanding). If you are a "lifer" assistant at Stanford, eventually some new HC coach will let you go. You need to be able to land on your feet and earn your way back, or become the HC so that can't happen.

Exactly. Tipton went away and proved himself in pros (playing and coaching) before coming back to Stanford. All it takes is one head coach who wants to go in a different direction and he is on the street. From a professional development standpoint I would think he would want to do something different for a period if nothing else to prove that Stanford is where he wants to be.