David Shaw (American football) facts for kids
| Denver Broncos | |
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| Position: | Senior personnel executive |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | July 31, 1972 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Union City (CA) Logan |
| College: | Stanford (1991–1994) |
| Career history | |
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| As executive: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Head coaching record | |
| Career: | NCAA: 96–54 (.640) Bowls: 5–3 (.625) |
David Lorenzo Shaw, born on July 31, 1972, is an American football coach and executive. He currently works for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). Before this, he was the head coach for the Stanford Cardinal college football team from 2011 to 2022.
Shaw also played football for Stanford as a wide receiver from 1991 to 1994. He was coached by famous coaches like Dennis Green and Bill Walsh. Before becoming Stanford's head coach, he worked as an assistant coach for NFL teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens. He also coached at the University of San Diego. Shaw stepped down as Stanford's head coach on November 27, 2022.
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Early Life and Playing Career
David Shaw was born in San Diego, California. His family moved around a lot because his father, Willie, was an NFL coach. David played high school football in Rochester Hills, Michigan. This was when his dad coached for the Detroit Lions.
In 1989, his father got a coaching job at Stanford University. The family moved back to California. David finished high school at James Logan High School in Union City, California.
He then went to Stanford University for college. He played college football as a wide receiver. His coaches included Dennis Green and Bill Walsh. From 1991 to 1994, Shaw caught 57 passes for 664 yards. He also scored five touchdowns. Besides football, Shaw was on the Stanford men's basketball and track teams. He earned a degree in sociology in 1995.
NFL Assistant Coach
David Shaw started his coaching career in 1995 at Western Washington University. In 1997, he began working as an assistant coach in the NFL. He coached for nine years with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens.
From 1998 to 2000, he was a quality control coach for the Raiders. In 2001, he became their quarterbacks coach. During this time, the Raiders won two division titles.
Shaw coached quarterbacks for the Baltimore Ravens from 2002 to 2004. He also coached wide receivers for the Ravens from 2002 to 2005. In 2003, the Ravens won their division. In 2005, he helped wide receiver Derrick Mason set a Ravens record. Mason had 86 catches that season.
College Assistant Coach
In 2006, Shaw left the NFL to coach college football. He joined head coach Jim Harbaugh's staff at the University of San Diego. He was the passing game coordinator there. The team had a great season, winning 11 games and losing only one. Their offense was one of the best in college football.
When Jim Harbaugh became the head coach at Stanford in 2007, he brought Shaw with him. Stanford is Shaw's alma mater (the school he went to). Shaw became the offensive coordinator. He also coached the Cardinal's wide receivers and running backs.
Shaw's offense was very successful at Stanford. They had Andrew Luck, who was a top player. In 2009 and 2010, the team scored 40 points or more in many games. They set new school records for points scored in both 2009 and 2010. Even after a star player left, the running game remained strong in 2010. It was one of the best in the country.
Stanford Head Coach
In January 2011, David Shaw became the head coach at Stanford. This happened after Jim Harbaugh left to coach the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. Shaw was the first Stanford graduate to be the head football coach since 1983.
In his first three years, Shaw led the team to three big bowl games. These included two Rose Bowls. In 2013, his team won the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin. They returned to the Rose Bowl the next year but lost a close game to Michigan State.
After a rebuilding year in 2014, Stanford had a fantastic 2015 season. Shaw led them to win their third Pac-12 championship in four years. They also played in their third Rose Bowl in four years. They won that game 45–16 against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
With this win, Shaw became the first Stanford coach in 80 years to win three conference titles. He was only the third coach in the program's history to do so. Winning the Rose Bowl made him only the second Stanford coach to win two Rose Bowls. After that season, Stanford was ranked #3 in the country. This was their highest ranking in 75 years.
In 2017, Shaw's team beat Cal in the annual Big Game. This win gave Shaw a new Stanford record for most wins by a head coach (72 wins). He broke the record held by Pop Warner. Shaw's record against Cal in the Big Game was 9 wins and 3 losses.
After two difficult seasons where the team won only three games each year, Shaw resigned. He stepped down as head coach on November 27, 2022. This was right after Stanford's last game of the 2022 season.
Executive Career
On June 20, 2024, David Shaw was named the Senior Personnel Executive for the Denver Broncos. This means he helps make important decisions about the team's players.
Personal Life
David Shaw is married to Kori, and they have three children.
His father, Willie, was also a football coach. He was an assistant coach at Stanford and for many NFL teams. Willie Shaw was considered for the head coach position at Stanford in 1992.
