With $50 million in hand and a president who cares, Stanford GM Andrew Luck prepares to hire a coach and elevate the program

First comes the rival, then comes the other rival, and then things get real for the Stanford football program.

The Cardinal needs a permanent coach and will be venturing into what might be the hottest, rowdiest hiring market in the sport’s history.

How hot?

So hot that one coach, Mississippi’s Lane Kiffin, is wanted by three different teams … in his conference.

So hot that Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry in September and hired a coach in November, James Franklin, who had been fired in October.

So hot that Stanford needed an edge, a spark — something that would prove the university is ready to get serious about its long-floundering football program.

And along came Bradford Freeman.

The former Stanford player and longtime supporter stepped forward with a $50 million donation earlier thi