When it was revealed two assistants from Washington’s offensive staff would not return in 2023 under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the names of replacements began to circulate.
Out are Jim Hostler and Drew Terrell. The two names who interviewed with Washington earlier this week were Chiefs running backs coach Greg Lewis and Stanford quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Pritchard is now working on an agreement that would likely bring him to Washington as the new QB coach. Fowler is who reported the initial news of Pritchard’s interview with the Commanders.
Update: Washington is now working toward an agreement with Pritchard, likely as QB coach. Nothing final but he’s been in the mix for a few days here. https://t.co/ocn4Tb1FeH
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 24, 2023
Pritchard, 36, is a native of Lakewood, Wash., and started for parts of three seasons until Andrew Luck replaced him in 2009. Pritchard quickly moved into coaching as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2010.
Pritchard’s entire coaching career was at Stanford, so for the first time since he was a high school senior in 2005, Pritchard will be in a different locale this fall.
Here is a look at the different positions Pritchard coached at Stanford:
- 2011-12: defensive assistant
- 2013: running backs
- 2014-17: quarterbacks/wide receivers
- 2018-22: offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
- 2023: quarterbacks
When Stanford head coach David Shaw stepped down at the conclusion of the 2022 season, Troy Taylor took over as head coach. Taylor retained Pritchard as his QB coach but not as offensive coordinator.
If Pritchard lands in Washington as expected, he’ll work closely with Sam Howell, the Commanders’ projected starter under center in 2023.