Larry Scott Leaves Howard for Opportunity to Coach at SEC Power Auburn

ATLANTA, GA - In a surprising move, former Howard University head football coach Larry Scott has departed the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to join the coaching staff at Auburn University, a perennial powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Scott, who led the Howard Bison to a pair of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles and a Celebration Bowl appearance, recently explained his decision to leave the HBCU community and take on a role as tight ends coach under Auburn head coach Alex Golesh.

"It was a tough decision. It was a real tough decision, because it not only impacted me and all the young men that we've had a chance to bring in there and recruit there, but other coaches and other support staff and people in their lives. The impact that one person's decision has on a lot of different people obviously comes with a heavy burden, and it was very cumbersome for me."

In the two seasons following their Celebration Bowl berth, the Bison struggled, combining for a 9-15 overall record, including a 3-7 mark in MEAC play.

Prior to taking the head coaching job at Howard, Scott had an extensive career as a tight ends coach, with stints at his alma mater South Florida, as well as Miami, Tennessee, and Florida.

As the Howard Bison prepare for the 2026 season under new head coach Ted White, a former Bison quarterback, the HBCU community will be closely watching to see how the program responds to the departure of their successful coach. The loss of Scott is a blow to the MEAC and the broader HBCU football landscape, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to keep promising coaches and players within the HBCU system.

HBCUConnect.com Perspective: The departure of Larry Scott from Howard University for an assistant coaching position at SEC powerhouse Auburn University is a bittersweet moment for the HBCU community. On one hand, it is a testament to Scott's coaching abilities and the recognition of his talent by a major college football program. However, it also highlights the ongoing challenge HBCUs face in retaining top-tier coaching talent, as the allure of the resources and prestige of Power 5 programs often proves too difficult to resist. As the HBCU community continues to celebrate its rich tradition and impact on the world of sports, stories like this serve as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that HBCUs can compete on an even playing field with their larger, more well-funded counterparts. The success of the Howard Bison under Scott's leadership will be difficult to replicate, but the HBCU community remains committed to supporting and elevating its student-athletes and coaches, ensuring that the legacy of excellence at HBCUs continues to thrive.

Originally reported by HBCU Sports.