Total Pro Sports
Troy Taylor isn’t walking away quietly. After being fired from Stanford back in March, the former head football coach has decided it’s time for a fight, and he’s aiming straight at ESPN.
On Thursday, Taylor announced he’s filing a defamation lawsuit against the sports network, accusing them of torching his reputation and playing a significant role in his sudden dismissal. And he’s not sugarcoating it.
Taylor’s lawsuit claims that ESPN pushed false claims in its March report, which detailed alleged bullying incidents involving female staffers at Stanford. The story cited investigations from both 2023 and 2024. It didn’t take long after the report came out for Stanford to cut ties with Taylor, even though they admitted they fired him “without cause.”
In April, Taylor broke his silence and went directly at the media.
“The media’s recent portrayal of me is unfair, wrong, and contrary to my professional track record and the person I am and have always been,” he said publicly.
From former Stanford Coach Troy Taylor on his dismissal. pic.twitter.com/GMPpbIdmVr
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) April 16, 2025
ESPN has so far declined to comment on the lawsuit, according to The Athletic and also the network isn’t backing down from its March reporting.
Taylor’s time at Stanford wasn’t exactly headline material. In two seasons, he went 6–18. Fans didn’t offer much sympathy. Social media lit up with criticism when the allegations surfaced.
One user wrote, “I’m no Troy Taylor fan but can’t blame him for taking a raise.”
Easy to say in hindsight. I’m no Troy Taylor fan but can’t blame him for taking a raise.
— BITRII (@bitrii6) July 30, 2025
Another pointed out that his departure from Sacramento State may have hurt both him and that program. “Maybe Sac would be FBS right now if he stayed on for 2–3 more years,” the post read.
Him leaving Sac State for Stanford knowing how hard it is to recruit for that school destroyed his reputation. Maybe Sac would be FBS right now if he stayed on for 2-3 more years.
— HyperActive Knucklehead (@279NASCARFan) July 30, 2025
Now, Stanford’s already moved on. The team brought in former NFL coach Frank Reich to lead the program, with Andrew Luck reportedly backing the hire.
But Taylor’s not trying to win fans right now. He wants accountability. And he’s betting a courtroom will deliver it.
This could get messy. For now, ESPN is staying quiet. But if Taylor gets his way, they won’t be quiet for long.
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