Ex-Stanford two-sport star dies at 26
Former Stanford twosport standout Zach Hoffpauir, an All-Pac-12 safety who also played minor league baseball for the Diamondbacks, passed away on Thursday in Arizona. He was 26.
His father, Doug, did not provide the cause of his son’s death but told the Arizona Daily Republic Hoffpauir had been staying with him during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place.
“We are heartbroken for the tragic loss of our brother, Zach Hoffpauir, gone far too soon,” Stanford’s athletic department said on Twitter Friday morning. “Zach lit up every room he walked into, intent on giving his vitality and passion to bring out your best. Our thoughts and love are with Zach’s family and friends. Rest in Peace, Hoff.”
Carolina Panthers star Christian McCaffrey, a close friend of Hoffpauir’s from their days at Stanford, posted a tribute on Instagram.
“Heaven gained an angel, and I lost one of my best friends in the world,” McCaffrey said in his post. “Zach showed me the way when I got to college. He did things the right way. He taught me how to enjoy life. … He was a true friend and a great brother to anyone he knew. He was a walking example of how to care for people, a rare soul.”
After coaching high school football in 2019, Hoffpauir was set to make his collegiate coaching debut as Northern Colorado’s defensive backs coach after being hired by new Bears head coach and exNFL standout Ed McCaffrey, Christian’s father.
“Hard because he loved coaching,” Hoffpauir’s father told the newspaper in a text Thursday night. “He was so excited to get back to Northern Colorado and try to influence lives beyond football. … He had so much to look forward to.”
Hoffpauir arrived at Stanford in 2012 after a star- studded prep career in Arizona, where he was named the greatest athlete in the rich history of Peoria Centennial High by the Arizona Daily Republic. Hoffpauir was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 safety in 2014 after a season with 43 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss.
He left Stanford in 2015 to play minor league baseball with the Diamondbacks, who selected him in the 22nd round of the 2015 MLB draft. Hoffpauir came back to Stanford in 2016 for his senior season in football but injuries forced him to medically retire.