David Shaw takes a dream job at Stanford

David Shaw might seem like the most fortunate head coach in college football. He inherits Andrew Luck, the Orange Bowl champions and only five conference opponents to conquer to reach the inaugural Pac-12 championship game in December.

Shaw also counts as the most unfortunate head coach in college football. He inherits soaring expectations, the daunting challenge of knocking off Oregon to win the Pac-12 North and the sobering reality that he has Luck for only one season.

Put it this way: Few fans flirted with the pipe dream of Walt Harris or Jim Harbaugh leading Stanford into national-title contention in their first season.

But forget about 2011 for now. The most important thing Shaw can do to assure his long-term success - beyond charming the recruits visiting campus this weekend - is develop another quarterback to replace Luck when he leaves for the NFL.

Athletic director Bob Bowlsby took a sizable chance by promoting Shaw. Stanford should be an attractive job right now, given its rapid ascent under Harbaugh, refurbished facilities and Luck's decision to return. But that wasn't enough to lure Boise State's Chris Petersen, a tantalizing candidate.

Shaw brings no track record as a head coach, a legitimate cause for concern. It's difficult to know how much of an impact he truly had the past four seasons, given Harbaugh's offensive bent and hands-on involvement (though Cardinal players seem universal in their praise of Shaw).

In the end, any head coach is only as good as his quarterback. Harbaugh had Josh Johnson at the University of San Diego and Luck at Stanford. That explains Harbaugh's success more than any strategic brilliance.

Or look at Cal, where Jeff Tedford revitalized the program after finding Aaron Rodgers. Now the Bears, without a reliable quarterback, are adrift.

So Shaw should be grateful to launch his head-coaching career alongside Luck, no question. He also must spend time and effort with Darren Daniel, Brett Nottingham and other candidates to start at quarterback in 2012.

E-mail Ron Kroichick at rkroichick@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle