Andrew Luck Returns to Stanford as CFB GM; Will Oversee 'Entire Program'

Looking for a spark to get the team back on track, Stanford is bringing back school legend Andrew Luck to work as general manager of the football program.

Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Luck accepted the position that will put him in charge of the "entire program" and is considered a "distinct evolution" from the traditional role of a college general manager.

In a phone interview with Thamel, Luck confirmed his new job and the role "involves everything Stanford football touches, football-wise and business-wise." He will also help with fundraising, securing sponsorships, increasing attendance and alumni relations.

"I'm excited," Luck told Thamel "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."

Given the all-encompassing nature of college sports nowadays, it's commonplace for programs to have a general manager who oversees the day-to-day operations to ensure they aren't falling behind.

The Athletic's Sam Khan Jr. noted the job really came into being around 2009 with Nick Saban at Alabama. The program began hiring student workers for each of the Crimson Tide's position coaches.

Given the success Saban was having every year, more and more programs across the country started expanding their personnel departments.

Matt Dudek is credited with being the first person who received the official title of general manager from a college program at the University of Arizona in 2016.

The position of college general manager gained increased attention earlier this year when Adrian Wojnarowski retired from his post as ESPN's lead NBA insider to accept the GM role at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.

Luck, who played three seasons for the Cardinal from 2009 to '11, is one of the most accomplished football players in program history. He is the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes (82), completion percentage (67.0) and ranks second in passing yards (9,430).

Stanford football just wrapped up its first season as a member of the ACC. The Cardinal finished 3-9 for the fourth consecutive year. The program has just one winning season since 2019 and hasn't played in a bowl game since winning the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31, 2018.