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Texas Loses Key Assistant Coach To The NFL

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 1:59 PM ET

The Texas Longhorns season ended with a loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Since then, a lot of Texas players have declared for the NFL Draft, including quarterback Quinn Ewers. On top of that, there have been several coaching changes in Steve Sarkisian's staff.

One big one was Blake Gideon, the safeties coach who left to become the defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech.

On Thursday, another big departure happened in the Texas coaching staff. Running backs coach Tashard Choice has decided to leave Texas and take the same role with the Detroit Lions, as Inside Texas reported.

"Sources: Texas RBs coach Tashard Choice will leave Texas for a role on Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions staff, per @EricNahlin and @justinwells2424."

Choice also interviewed for the Dallas Cowboys running backs coach job before they hired Derrick Foster.

Choice has history with Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, as Choice was his running backs coach at Georgia Tech before Gibbs transferred to Alabama.

Source confirms Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice is expected to leave for the same role with the Detroit Lions. He coached Lions RB Jamyhr Gibbs while at Georgia Tech. Also coached Bijan Robinson at Texas. @InsideTexas first reported.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) February 13, 2025

Choice also worked with Texas star and current Atlanta Falcons RB Nijan Robinson, so this is a big hire for Dan Campbell after he lost both his offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator this offseason.

Choice is just 40 years old and a former running back himself who spent time with the Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and others.

Choice was an intern with the Cowboys in 2016 before going to college, so this is a big step up for Choice and another loss for the Longhorns.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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