Former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck becomes school’s general manager

Former Stanford University and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is re-entering the world of football, becoming the team’s general manager.

As the quarterback on the Cardinal from 2008-2012, Luck became the first signal caller to lead Stanford to more than 10 wins, and he helped the school earn its first-ever Bowl Championship Series berths. He was also a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up.

Luck told ESPN reporter Pete Thamel over the phone about his new role Saturday. The newly created position will give Luck oversight over football operations including coaching and recruiting, as well as business operations such as fundraising, acquiring sponsorships and managing alumni relations.

“I’m excited. I think Stanford is taking an assertive and innovative step. We’re undoubtedly 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 told ESPN.

Stanford, now in the ACC instead of the Pac-12, has not had the same football success in recent years that it did under Luck. The school has not had a winning season since 2018, when the Cardinal went on to win the Sun Bowl, and is currently sitting at a 3-9 record following a loss to the rival San Jose State Spartans on Friday.

On top of being a football alumnus and 2023 inductee into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame, Luck also got an undergraduate degree in architecture and a master’s degree in education from the school. He also met his wife, former Stanford gymnast Nicole Pechanec, while attending.

“I’m a product of this place. Besides my folks and the friends and extended family I grew up with, Stanford, this is home for my wife and I. I’m profoundly influenced by Jim Harbaugh, David Shaw, Pep Hamilton and all the coaches and professors that I’ve ever had,” Luck told ESPN.

After college, Luck was drafted first overall in 2012, going to the Indianapolis Colts. Luck had success in Indianapolis, reaching the infamous “Deflategate” AFC Championship game in 2014 and making it as far as the AFC Divisional Round twice, before retiring from the NFL in 2019 due to a series of injuries.