STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Inheriting a program featuring Heisman Trophy favorite Andrew Luck and enough talent to claim championships came with immediate pressure for Stanford’s David Shaw.
Succeeding a charismatic coach like Jim Harbaugh, now with the San Francisco 49ers, presented another set of challenges altogether.
While questions about his coaching skills might not be completely answered for years, there’s no longer a debate about how Shaw would handle the transition. No. 4 Stanford (8-0, 6-0 Pac-12) is undefeated and Shaw is making a run to become only the third rookie head coach to win a national title.