Some moves in college football make you do a double-take. This one? Yeah, it’s got folks in Morgantown scrambling for answers and Austin grinning ear to ear. The Mountaineers spent years building one of the nastiest run games in college football, and the guy pulling the strings just dipped for burnt orange pastures. Yeah, you heard that right. Texas is sweeping Chad Scott straight outta Morgantown, and now WVU fans are stuck wondering what’s next. But before we get too deep into the Longhorns’ latest grab, let’s talk about what this means for WVU’s pockets — because buyouts, contracts, and college football money moves are always a soap opera.

It’s official — Chad Scott is taking his talents to Austin. After years of shaping West Virginia’s ground game into a Big 12 powerhouse, Chad Scott is going to join Steve Sarkisian’s Texas staff as the Longhorns’ new running backs coach, replacing Tashard Choice. First reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, and now multiple sources are confirming it.

Aight, let’s talk finance and numbers. Scott was on a $700K annual salary at WVU according to USA Today, but contract details — especially his buyout — haven’t been publicly disclosed. So what’s known? WVU’s athletic department is already staring at a $3.9 million bill in assistant coach buyouts after letting several staff members go when head coach Rich Rodriguez took over. If Scott’s buyout is included in that, West Virginia just lost another chunk of change trying to keep up in this coaching carousel. Texas? They’ve got cash to burn. They ain’t sweating this buyout one bit. If Sark wants a coach, Texas boosters are cutting no slack — no hesitation. And for WVU, this just adds another hurdle as they try to rebuild under Rodriguez.

At West Virginia, Scott was more than just a position coach — he was the architect behind one of the nastiest rushing attacks in college football. In 2023, the Mountaineers ranked 5th in the nation in rushing yards per game, and in 2024, they still held strong at 27th. That’s pretty great for a program devoid of much star power. And no, that’s not a fluke. Scott knew how to develop talent, and he had WVU’s backs running wild.

What This Means for Longhorns & WVU Moving Forward and Chad Scott’s legacy

If there’s one thing Scott left behind in Morgantown, it’s a legacy of turning overlooked talent into straight-up playmakers. He’s the guy who saw a 6’2”, 240-pound tight end in CJ Donaldson and thought, “Nah, you’re a running back.” That move? Genius. Donaldson turned into one of the best backs in the Big 12. Then there’s Jahiem White, a true freshman who torched defenses for 842 yards last season, and the RB straight-up admitted that Scott staying at WVU was one of the main reasons he didn’t enter the transfer portal. Now? Ain’t gonna lie, the regret might’ve kicked in already.

Scott’s ability to build relationships with players isn’t just coach-speak — it’s real. That’s why Texas is making this move. The Longhorns are about to have Quintrevion Wisner, a 1,000-yard rusher, and CJ Baxter, who missed 2024 due to injury, in their backfield. Pair them up with Scott, and that Texas run game might be even deadlier in 2025.

For Texas, this move is all about reloading, not rebuilding for another Natty run. The Longhorns made the playoffs in 2024 and have no plans to slow down. They saw what Scott did at WVU and knew he could take their running game to another level. If you thought Texas’ offense was dangerous before, just wait till Scott gets his hands on that backfield.

For West Virginia? This one stings, and it’s another reminder of where they stand in the college football hierarchy. The Mountaineers had something special with Scott, but when a program like Texas comes knocking, there ain’t much you can do. Losing him means WVU has to hit the reset button again at a position they were dominating just a year ago.

West Virginia’s loss is Texas’ gain. Chad Scott was one of the best-kept secrets in college football coaching, but now the secret’s out. WVU fans? They’re left wondering what could’ve been, especially since Scott was seen as a rising star in Morgantown. Texas fans? They just landed a guy who turns decent backs into game-breakers. One thing’s for sure: the 2025 season just got a whole lot more interesting.