Texas set to hire West Virginia's Chad Scott as next running backs coach

Texas is expected to hire West Virginia running backs coach Chad Scott as its next running backs coach, multiple sources tell On3. Scott was the offensive coordinator for the previous two seasons for the Mountaineers before being retained by Rich Rodriguez.

The Mountaineers ranked in the top 10 among Power Four schools in rushing the last two seasons. Scott was interim head coach after the Mountaineers dismissed Neal Brown in the fall.

Scott helped develop CJ Donaldson into one of the top running backs in the Big 12, too. Donaldson rushed for 2,058 career yards in three seasons at West Virginia, posting 30 touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He transferred to Ohio State this offseason.

Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice recently took a role on the Detroit Lions’ staff, opening up the job on the Texas staff. Before joining the West Virginia staff in 2019, Scott made stops at Texas Tech, Kentucky and North Carolina.

West Virginia finished with 2,976 rushing yards in 2023, ranking No. 1 among Power Five schools. In Big 12 games, WVU was the only school to finish with more than 2,000 rushing yards (2,211), led the league in rushing yards per game (245.67) and tied for No. 1 in rushing touchdowns (24).

Scott will take over a Texas running back room that returns CJ Baxter, who missed the 2024 season with an injury. The former five-star recruit rushed for 659 yards as a freshman in 2023.

“I have an appreciation and respect for the job that Chad has done here at West Virginia,” Rodriguez said in December. “He brings a high level of energy and has a history of building relationships and developing players. I look forward to having him as a member of our staff.”