Stanford hired former QB Andrew Luck as the program’s general manager, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The former No. 1 overall pick and Pro Bowler is returning to football after his early retirement.
“Former Stanford star Andrew Luck is returning to the Cardinal to become the football program’s general manager, Luck told ESPN,” Thamel wrote on Twitter in a thread. “Luck has accepted a new role at Stanford, which will place him above the entire program and is a distinct evolution from the traditional college GM.
“Luck’s role involves everything Stanford football touches, both football and business-wise. He’ll manage the coaching staff, player personnel staff, recruiting, roster management and student-athlete experience. Luck’s business duties will include some aspects often associated with an NFL team president role – fundraising, sponsorships, attendance, sales, in-stadium experience and alumni relations.
“Luck said he’s excited to link arms with second-year coach Troy Taylor to build Stanford back. ‘I’m excited,’ Luck told ESPN. ‘I think Stanford is taking an assertive and innovative step. We’re undoubtably 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.’”
Luck played for Stanford and former coach Jim Harbaugh from 2008-11 before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
While playing at Stanford, Luck established himself as a can’t-miss prospect and was seen as a generational talent. Over the course of his college career, Luck threw for 9,430 yards, 82 touchdowns, 22 interceptions and a 67% completion percentage.
He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Luck was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Colts but later suffered myriad injuries following his first three seasons in the NFL. In 2015 and ’16, Luck played just 22 of 36 games before missing the entire 2017 season.
He returned in 2018 as was named Comeback Player of the Year, leading the Colts to the playoffs. However, he shockingly retired during the preseason in 2019, citing his health.
Luck finished his NFL career with 23,671 yards, 171 touchdowns, 83 interceptions and a 60.8% completion percentage. He made the playoffs in four of his seven seasons, including an AFC Championship appearance in 2014.