While Polynesians have always been deeply rooted in the football world, it seems as though they mostly play offensive or defensive line positions. However, Tavita Pritchard was one of the first in the lineage of Polynesian quarterbacks when he became QB1 at Stanford University. One of his most memorable moments in his collegiate career was when he led the Cardinals to a 24-23 victory against No. 2 USC Trojans in October 2007. In 2009, his collegiate football career ended but his story shows that he always found his way back to Palo Alto, Ca.
In 2010, Pritchard would return to the prestigious university but this time as a graduate assistant coach. Following his GA position, Pritchard became a defensive assistant in 2011, running backs coach in 2013, quarterbacks & wide receiver coach in 2014-2017, and finally the offensive coordinator from 2018-2022.
From 2010 to 2022, Pritchard would call Palo Alto home until being called up to the NFL as a QB coach for the Washington Commanders. It was with the Commanders that Pritchard showed how he could develop talented college players to strong NFL leaders– one of the most notable being Jayden Daniels, AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Pritchard also worked with Samoan quarterback, Marcus Mariota.
In November of 2025, Pritchard received a call from Stanford University to become the new Head Coach at the field where he spent so much of his time in both his collegiate and professional coaching career. Pritchard accepted the offer and is set to take over following the most recent Commanders Sunday night football game.
Pritchard returns to the farm in Palo Alto with knowledge of pro-level offenses and all around increased pro-level coaching experience. He joins the Stanford head coach lineage as the first Samoan head coach and brings along with him cultural values and pillars to instill in the football program he intends to curate.
