WELCOME BACK: It’s Official—Tavon Austin Returns to West Virginia as Senior Coach After Career-Altering Setback
In a move that has electrified Mountaineer Nation, former West Virginia football legend Tavon Austin is officially returning to Morgantown—but not in pads and cleats. The electrifying wide receiver, once a household name for his game-breaking speed and highlight-reel plays, has been named to the senior coaching staff at West Virginia University, marking a poignant full-circle moment for one of the program’s most beloved alumni.
Austin’s return comes on the heels of a devastating career-ending injury that shocked fans and closed the chapter on what could have been a final NFL comeback. During an offseason training session earlier this year, Austin suffered a complete Achilles tendon rupture—his second in just three years—while preparing for a potential tryout with a playoff-contending team. Doctors deemed the injury too severe for a full-speed recovery, and at 35, Austin made the difficult decision to hang up his cleats for good.
But rather than fade quietly into the background, Austin chose a different route. Within weeks of his retirement, West Virginia’s athletic department reached out with an offer that would allow him to return to the field—not as a player, but as a mentor and motivator for the next generation of Mountaineers.
“I never imagined I’d be back like this, but it feels right,” Austin said in a press conference announcing his appointment. “This place raised me. It gave me everything I needed to chase my dreams. Now it’s time to give back—to help these young men find their path, just like I found mine.”
Austin will serve as a Senior Offensive Analyst and Wide Receivers Development Coach, working closely with Head Coach Neal Brown and Offensive Coordinator Tyler Burton. His primary focus will be player development, game-day adjustments, and serving as a bridge between players and staff—roles he’s uniquely qualified for, given his decorated college and professional career.
From 2009 to 2012, Austin dazzled fans at Milan Puskar Stadium, racking up over 3,400 receiving yards, 29 touchdowns, and countless unforgettable moments. His 2012 performance against Oklahoma, in which he racked up 572 all-purpose yards, remains one of the greatest individual displays in NCAA history. He was drafted eighth overall by the St. Louis Rams in the 2013 NFL Draft and went on to play for several teams over a ten-year career.
Now, as Coach Austin, he brings the same fire, intelligence, and energy that made him a standout on the field. Sources within the program say his presence has already ignited a spark in the locker room. “When Tavon speaks, everyone listens,” said Coach Brown. “He commands respect not just because of what he’s done, but because of who he is.”
For a program looking to recapture its former glory, Austin’s homecoming might be more than symbolic—it could be the start of something special.
