Andrew Luck Returning to Stanford as Football Program's GM

"Luck has accepted a new role at Stanford, which will place him above the entire program and is a distinct evolution from the traditional college GM," Thamel posted to X.

For someone like Luck who's been so far under the radar since hanging up his cleats, this news serves as a bit of whopper for college football as a whole, and likely a massive breath of fresh air for Stanford football fans and its alumni.

"Luck’s role involves everything Stanford football touches, both football and business-wise," Thamel continued. "He’ll manage the coaching staff, player personnel staff, recruiting, roster management and student-athlete experience. Luck’s business duties will include some aspects often associated with an NFL team president role – fundraising, sponsorships, attendance, sales, in-stadium experience and alumni relations."

With Stanford now sitting at 3-9 following a 34-31 loss to San Jose St. on Friday night, it would be difficult to find a better time for a highly respected program icon like Luck to enter the equation in the name of restoring some order to Stanford football.

And it sure sounds like returning "home" for an opportunity like this was a "one of one" type of scenario for the beloved Luck.

"I'm excited," Luck told ESPN. "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 ... I sort of have to. This makes too much sense. I would not do this at any other place, not just me, but my wife, too. It's a special place for me and a lot of people."

The four-time NFL Pro Bowler, who is still just 35 years old, went on to further express how much the school means to him, stating how he was "profoundly influenced" by former Stanford head coaches Jim Harbaugh and David Shaw, along with Pep Hamilton who coached Luck at both the college and pro level.

To put Luck's significant impact on the Stanford football program in proper perspective, in 2012 an anonymous donor ensured the quarterback would most certainly not be forgotten, with Stanford's offensive coordinator position officially being renamed as the  "Andrew Luck Director of Offense."