Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has made a decisive move in response to the program’s offensive shortcomings, particularly in the run game. According to multiple reports, the Longhorns have dismissed running backs coach Chad Scott after just one season in Austin. The decision comes after Texas finished 9-3 and fell short of a College Football Playoff berth, ending the regular season fifth in the SEC.
The Longhorns’ rushing attack never found consistent footing under Scott. Texas averaged only 3.9 yards per carry this season, placing 10th among the SEC’s 16 teams and well below the 5.0-plus average posted during Sarkisian’s first three years, per ESPN. For an offense built around balance and the progression of quarterback Arch Manning, the statistical decline was a major concern.
Although injuries contributed to the dip in production, they were far from the sole explanation. Leading rusher Quintrevion Wisner managed just 597 yards, while CJ Baxter endured another injury-plagued campaign before opting to enter the transfer portal. Against SEC competition, the Longhorns often stalled on the ground, dipping under three yards per carry in multiple games and forcing Manning to shoulder a disproportionate share of the offense.
The situation also raised questions about the running back room’s overall direction. With players like Baxter and Jerrick Gibson choosing to leave despite projected opportunities, concerns about development and fit became harder to overlook. In such cases, the position coach typically bears responsibility for both performance and retention.
Attention now turns to identifying Scott’s successor and stabilizing the position group quickly. Early reports point to former Florida assistant Jabbar Juluke as a top candidate. Juluke could also provide an immediate roster boost, with standout running back Jadan Baugh—currently in the transfer portal—potentially following him to Austin.
Adding Baugh would create an intriguing storyline after the freshman tore through Texas for 107 yards earlier this season in Gainesville. For Sarkisian and the Longhorns, the next hire will be critical in restoring balance to the offense and reestablishing the run game as a defining strength heading into 2026.
