Stanford football is welcoming back five familiar faces to its coaching staff for the 2026 season.
On offense, Nate Byham and Malcolm Agnew will continue coaching tight ends and running backs, respectively. On the defensive side, Andy Thompson and Kodi Whitfield return to guide inside linebackers and safeties. Ryan Deatrick is back for his fourth season as the Director of Sports Performance.
Nate Byham has made a significant impact over the past three seasons. Under his guidance, Sam Roush earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2025, leading the ACC in tight end receiving yards with 545. He also tied for the most receptions (49) among tight ends, showcasing his talent in the spotlight. Roush’s achievement of over 100 receiving yards in a game against Pittsburgh—a team linked to Byham’s own college days—highlights his growth.
Malcolm Agnew’s leadership shaped a young but successful running back group in 2025. Sophomore Micah Ford led the team with 643 rushing yards, the best for Stanford since 2019. His standout performances echoed those of Bryce Love back in 2017. Agnew also received recognition by being named to the AFCA 35 Under 35 class for up-and-coming coaching talent.
On the defensive front, Andy Thompson’s mentorship helped Matt Rose earn Second Team All-ACC honors for his impressive 106 tackles—the most by a Stanford player since 2015. The Cardinal’s defense ranked 28th nationally in rush defense, their best performance in years, while also proving tough in the red zone.
Kodi Whitfield, a former Stanford player, guided safety Jay Green to an All-ACC honorable mention season after bouncing back from an ACL injury. Green led in pass breakups, showing the strength of Whitfield’s coaching.
Ryan Deatrick brings over ten years of experience to his role, having worked at various colleges before joining Stanford. His expertise ensures that players are in peak physical form.
In the past year, Twitter buzz highlighted the exciting growth of these coaches, with fans praising their ingenuity and connection with players. This coaching staff is poised to build on recent successes and continue moving the program forward.
For more insights into coaching and player development in college football, check out the American Football Coaches Association.
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