Stanford football coach Troy Taylor has been accused of mistreating female staff members and attempting to have an NCAA compliance officer removed after she alerted him to potential rule violations, according to documents obtained by ESPN.
More than 20 current and former staff members participated in two separate investigations, which included complaints of hostile and aggressive behavior, as well as personal attacks by Taylor.
Both investigations found that Taylor’s treatment of employees, particularly women, did not align with Stanford’s standards.
The second investigation revealed that Taylor retaliated against a compliance staff member who had identified seven minor NCAA violations by attempting to have her removed from her responsibilities. Investigators reportedly stated that they had never encountered such “palpable animosity and disdain” for a university compliance officer.
On February 14, 2024, Taylor signed a warning letter acknowledging that he could be dismissed if his conduct did not improve, according to documents obtained by ESPN. Further complaints were documented in a second investigation that concluded on July 24, but Taylor continues in his role as coach.
In a statement released by the school, Taylor said, “I fully cooperated with the investigations, accepted their recommendations, and used them as a chance to improve my leadership skills and interactions with others. I’m excited to continue working collaboratively with my colleagues to achieve success for our football program.”
A university spokesperson also issued a statement, emphasizing Stanford’s commitment to upholding high standards of behavior in the workplace. The statement noted that the university had received complaints about Taylor, and a third-party investigation was conducted. Following the investigation, appropriate measures were taken, Taylor received coaching, and he has pledged to foster a respectful working environment crucial for the success of all athletic programs.
Taylor is set to begin his third year as Stanford’s head coach after two consecutive 3-9 seasons.