Aug 6, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard arrives at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The next domino of the college football coaching carousel has dropped, and it doesn't involve Lane Kiffin.

It instead involves Stanford, which announced on Friday, Nov. 28 that it has hired Washington Commanders quarterback coach Tavita Pritchard to be the Cardinal's next head coach. He will take over for Frank Reich, who has been serving as interim coach this season after Stanford fired Troy Taylor in March.

Pritchard is expected to start at Stanford following the Commanders' game on Sunday, Nov. 30 vs. the Denver Broncos.

"Winning in college football today requires a leader of men who can build and motivate teams, recruit future stars, and develop and connect with talent," Stanford general manager Andrew Luck said in a statement. "Tavita Pritchard is exactly the right head coach at the right time to help us build on the foundation of this season and lead Stanford football to its next great era.

"Coach Pritchard is a culture builder, a teacher of football of the highest caliber, and a humble yet determined servant leader who is committed to the success of Stanford’s student-athletes. I could not be more excited to welcome Tavita, Caroline and their family back to campus."

Similar to Luck, Pritchard is returning to his alma mater as he takes over as coach. A former quarterback from 2006 through 2009 at Stanford, Pritchard made 20 career starts with the Cardinal and threw for 2,865 yards and 15 touchdowns in 31 total games.

"Stanford is a place like no other and my family and I are full of gratitude to be returning home in every sense of the word," Pritchard said in a statement. "I have a clear vision of the hard work, brotherhood and tenacity it will take to build a championship Stanford football program. I cannot wait to partner with Andrew and begin working with the best student-athletes in the world to achieve excellence on and off the field."

Stanford finishes the season against No. 9 Notre Dame (No. 9 in College Football Playoff rankings) at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stanford football hires Commanders QB coach Tavita Pritchard as coach

Reporting by John Leuzzi, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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