Nearly two weeks after losing their offensive coordinator to the NFL, Stanford has found a replacement. And, as expected, they didn’t have to go outside their own football house to do so.
In a release, head coach David Shaw announced that Mike Bloomgren has been promoted to what’s officially called the “Andrew Luck Director of Offense/Offensive Coordinator.” Bloomgren will continue on as the Cardinal’s offensive line coach, but will give up his duties as run-game coordinator.
Bloomgren replaces Pep Hamilton, who took the coordinator job with the Indianapolis Colts in mid-January.
“I’m very excited about elevating Mike Bloomgren,” said Shaw in a statement. “He was the only choice. We didn’t interview anybody else, and we didn’t want to interview anyone else. Mike has done an outstanding job with our offensive line and run game, though he’s more than an offensive line coach. He understands our offense and how diverse we need to be to attack defenses.
“We hope to continue the success we’ve had on offense, while also improving in many areas, and Mike is the right guy to lead us to our goals.”
Hamilton had also served as quarterbacks coach; Mike Sanford will take over those duties as well as the new title of wide receivers coach. Sanford will continue in his role of recruiting coordinator.
Taking Sanford’s place as running backs coach will be former Cardinal quarterback Tavita Pritchard. Pritchard spent the past two seasons as a defensive assistant at his alma mater.
(Photo credit: Stanford athletics)