The NFL Network family grew ahead of the 2023 season. And one of the newest additions this fall? Longtime college football head coach David Shaw.
David Shaw Spent Extensive Time in the Bay Area
Fans of college football likely remember Shaw for his time in the Bay Area — putting together a 12-season run in Palo Alto as head coach of the Stanford Cardinal.
Shaw took over for Jim Harbaugh after the 2010 season, and the Cardinal’s Orange Bowl run. From there, Shaw managed to continue Stanford’s run of crashing the New Year’s Six bowl game party.
In Shaw’s first season, Stanford went 11-2 and fell in the Fiesta Bowl to Oklahoma State. The following year in 2012, though, saw Shaw and the Cardinal roll to 12-2 and win the Rose Bowl over Wisconsin.
Shaw and Stanford would return to Pasadena one year later, but the Cardinal lost the 2013 Rose Bowl to Michigan State and settled for an 11-3 mark.
But in the next five bowl appearances, Shaw and Stanford only ended up in one NY6 game — the 2015 Rose Bowl, which saw a young Christian McCaffrey go off on Iowa. Shaw and the Cardinal went on to settle for either the Sun or Alamo Bowl the next three seasons.
Shaw’s teams went on to fall short of a bowl bid for the next four seasons. He eventually resigned following the 2022 season finale loss to Notre Dame. In 12 seasons, he compiled a 96-54 record, making him the winningest head coach in program history.
Does David Shaw Have an NFL Background?
While Shaw is best known for his collegiate work, he has NFL experience, which can help him transition to an analyst role on the network.
Between 1998 to 2005, he spent his coaching tenures in the league. Here’s where he coached:
- Philadelphia Eagles
Philly was where his NFL tenure began, as Shaw served as offensive quality control coach. - Oakland Raiders
From 1998 to 2001, Shaw served as offensive quality control coach before being named quarterbacks coach in his final season there. - Baltimore Ravens
His next and final NFL coaching stop was in Charm City. Shaw spent his first three seasons as QB and wide receivers coach from 2002 to 2004 before ultimately settling for WR coach in 2005.
While he crossed over to the NFL side, he was still around an NFL guy in the former quarterback Harbaugh, which includes their brief stop at the University of San Diego.
What Role Will David Shaw Have at the NFL Network?
Shaw will be among the guest analysts on NFL Game Day Live, which means he’s expected to make his full broadcasting debut on opening Sunday, September 10.
In addition to that, Shaw is set to be a contributor to other programs on the network. He’s also no stranger to NFL Network coverage, as he was a guest analyst during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Before settling for an analyst role, Shaw’s name was linked to the Denver Broncos head coaching opening before the job went to Sean Payton.