Stanford football coach Troy Taylor is under fire after two investigations revealed troubling behavior toward staff, particularly female employees, and an attempt to oust an NCAA compliance officer who flagged rules violations. Documents obtained by ESPN paint a messy picture of Taylor’s leadership, detailing hostile actions and retaliation that have left more than 20 current and former staffers speaking out. As Taylor heads into his third season with the Cardinal, this controversy is casting a shadow over a program already struggling to find its footing in the ACC.
The investigations, which wrapped up in February and July 2024, found that Taylor’s treatment of employees—especially women—didn’t meet Stanford’s standards. Complaints described his behavior as hostile, aggressive, and even veering into personal attacks. The second probe zeroed in on Taylor’s reaction to a compliance staffer who uncovered seven minor NCAA infractions. Instead of addressing the issues, Taylor allegedly retaliated by trying to have her removed from her role, a move investigators called out as unprecedented. ESPN reported that the investigators had never seen “this palpable level of animosity and disdain” for a university compliance office, a damning statement for a coach at a school known for its high standards.
Taylor signed a warning letter on Feb. 14, 2024, after the first investigation, acknowledging that he could be fired if the behavior continued. But more complaints surfaced, leading to the second probe, which concluded on July 24. Despite the findings, Taylor remains at the helm, a decision that’s raised eyebrows. In a statement released by Stanford, Taylor said, “I willingly complied with the investigations, accepted the recommendations that came out of them, and used them as a learning opportunity to grow in leadership and how I interact with others.” He added that he’s committed to working “collaboratively and collegially” to turn the football program around. A university spokesperson backed him up, saying Stanford took “appropriate measures,” including coaching for Taylor, to ensure a “respectful working environment.”
On the field, Taylor’s tenure has been rocky—back-to-back 3-9 seasons have Stanford fans restless, especially after the program’s move to the ACC. The Cardinal are set to open 2025 against TCU on August 30, but this off-field drama is stealing the spotlight. The investigations’ findings don’t just highlight a leadership issue—they raise questions about whether Taylor can foster the culture needed to get Stanford back to winning. For a program that’s produced legends like John Elway and Andrew Luck, the stakes are high, and fans are watching to see if Taylor can clean up his act and deliver on the field.
