Virginia Tech assistant resigns after allegedly engaging in extramarital affair on recruiting trips
Seemingly out of the blue, Virginia Tech announced Friday that co-defensive coordinator Galen Scott had resigned.
In a release, Scott, a longtime colleague of Hokies head coach Justin Fuente, said he resigned to “step away from football and focus on my family.” Later Friday, it was revealed that Scott’s resignation stemmed from accusations that he engaged in an extramarital affair while on recruiting trips.
According to The Roanoke Times, allegations surfaced after emails were sent to Virginia Tech administrators and coaches, as well as a local news outlet. Additionally, a Twitter account replied to many Virginia Tech-affiliated users, including assistant coaches and the official VT football account, alleging Scott “used hotels paid by Virginia Tech football” for the affair.
Scott admitted to both the Roanoke Times and Richmond Times-Dispatch that he “made a mistake.”
“I made a mistake and I have to take responsibility for that. I did some things that I want to apologize to my wife for and my family for and I need to make sure I make that right by just being around for them and being the best father and person I can be,” he told the Times.
Scott, who is married with two children, said he resigned after meeting with Fuente. The two determined his resignation was the best course of action, he said.
While Scott said not every detail in the emails was accurate, he said his conduct was inappropriate and that, not the emails, was the reason for his resignation.
“It was just an integrity deal,” Scott said. “I just made a mistake. I don’t think it was just the emails. The emails just threw that out there.”
Scott said he did not misuse Virginia Tech athletic department funds as alleged in the tweets and emails. That was confirmed to the Roanoke Times by a VT spokesperson.
Scott said not all of the allegations in the tweets are founded: specifically the misuse of athletic department funds. A Virginia Tech spokesman said every recruiting trip Scott made was legitimate and no misuse of athletic department money was discovered.
“It’s not as outlandish and crazy as people are letting it on to be,” Scott said. “Paying for stuff and all that. That’s not the deal. It’s just, I’m disappointed in myself because I hurt my family.”
Scott was an All-American linebacker at Illinois State. His first coaching role was alongside Fuente at his alma mater, beginning in 2001. The two were roommates.
Scott left Illinois State in 2007 for Tulsa, where he coached for two seasons before landing a spot on the staff at Memphis in 2010. When Fuente became Memphis’ head coach in 2012, Scott was retained and later followed Fuente to Virginia Tech. Scott first served as the Hokies’ safeties coach before he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in January.
Scott was set to make $338,000 for the 2018 season.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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