[msqueri]

I don't think there was a "need" to keep Pritchard on the staff but I'm fine with it. There are plausible reasons for it (recruiting continuity, continuity of knowledge/relationships across the roster, solid track record getting QBs to the NFL, financial considerations of a multi-year contract, keeping on a somewhat legendary Stanford Man may buy some goodwill with the administration, etc.). I also think there are others on staff with more dubious credentials (Byham comes to mind). That's not to say I'm thrilled about Pritchard being back (I want as clean a break from Shaw as possible in many respects) but I think it's fine.

In general, I think Pritchard is a better coach than many fans allow. As a QB coach, his charges have not developed great but they've developed at least average. QB development is much harder than fans assume, even for blue chip prospects like Chryst, Costello, Mills, and McKee. Pritchard's track record getting guys to the NFL is a feather in his cap. Like Morgan Turner at Arkansas, I think Pritchard could get a position coach job at major programs, but why would he consider that preferable to doing it at his beloved alma mater? As an offensive mind, we actually do have some evidence (first series of the game, some situational/red zone packages, evolution in the offense over time) that Pritchard was far more dynamic than Shaw. Because Shaw owned the offense ultimately I don't think we can say with any confidence how good of an offensive mind Pritchard is, but the balance of evidence doesn't point any stronger to bad offensive mind than to good offensive mind IMHO. The bottom line is there's no way for us to know how good/bad Pritchard is in certain respects.

Former NFL QB, Cal/Utah QB coach, offensive-minded but above all else QB-minded Troy Taylor thinking Pritchard is good enough for his staff is a strong testimonial. But it's also worth noting that fans shouldn't over-emphasize the importance of this slot on the staff. Taylor will be heavily involved. Harbaugh’s first staff didn’t have a QB coach as Harbaugh handled himself (in fact, Andrew Luck was quite vocal at the time about then-teammate Tavita Pritchard being a primary mentor). Taylor’s Sacramento State staff had Bobby Fresques, a former Sacramento State QB without coaching credibility independent from being under Taylor’s wing.

I think Pritchard in this role is fine. My big hope is that he can be re-energized and/or really pushed by Taylor to plunge his considerable charm and credibility into being a dynamo recruiter. As for QB coaching, Pritchard got his guys to the NFL at a solid clip and I think we’ll be amazed how much better everybody on offense looks with a real offensive coordinator.

[msqueri]

I don't think there was a "need" to keep Pritchard on the staff but I'm fine with it. There are plausible reasons for it (recruiting continuity, continuity of knowledge/relationships across the roster, solid track record getting QBs to the NFL, financial considerations of a multi-year contract, keeping on a somewhat legendary Stanford Man may buy some goodwill with the administration, etc.). I also think there are others on staff with more dubious credentials (Byham comes to mind). That's not to say I'm thrilled about Pritchard being back (I want as clean a break from Shaw as possible in many respects) but I think it's fine.

In general, I think Pritchard is a better coach than many fans allow. As a QB coach, his charges have not developed great but they've developed at least average. QB development is much harder than fans assume, even for blue chip prospects like Chryst, Costello, Mills, and McKee. Pritchard's track record getting guys to the NFL is a feather in his cap. Like Morgan Turner at Arkansas, I think Pritchard could get a position coach job at major programs, but why would he consider that preferable to doing it at his beloved alma mater? As an offensive mind, we actually do have some evidence (first series of the game, some situational/red zone packages, evolution in the offense over time) that Pritchard was far more dynamic than Shaw. Because Shaw owned the offense ultimately I don't think we can say with any confidence how good of an offensive mind Pritchard is, but the balance of evidence doesn't point any stronger to bad offensive mind than to good offensive mind IMHO. The bottom line is there's no way for us to know how good/bad Pritchard is in certain respects.

Former NFL QB, Cal/Utah QB coach, offensive-minded but above all else QB-minded Troy Taylor thinking Pritchard is good enough for his staff is a strong testimonial. But it's also worth noting that fans shouldn't over-emphasize the importance of this slot on the staff. Taylor will be heavily involved. Harbaugh’s first staff didn’t have a QB coach as Harbaugh handled himself (in fact, Andrew Luck was quite vocal at the time about then-teammate Tavita Pritchard being a primary mentor). Taylor’s Sacramento State staff had Bobby Fresques, a former Sacramento State QB without coaching credibility independent from being under Taylor’s wing.

I think Pritchard in this role is fine. My big hope is that he can be re-energized and/or really pushed by Taylor to plunge his considerable charm and credibility into being a dynamo recruiter. As for QB coaching, Pritchard got his guys to the NFL at a solid clip and I think we’ll be amazed how much better everybody on offense looks with a real offensive coordinator.