Blast From the Bronco Past: Rashaun Scott

This week on “Blast From the Bronco Past,” I chatted with former Boise State defensive back Rashaun Scott. Scott was part of the teams that took Boise State to the next level. We chatted about his role on the team, the difference between Dan Hawkins and Chris Petersen, and what it meant to be a Bronco.

Zach: Rashaun, describe the recruiting process for you. What ultimately made you decide to come to Boise?

Rashaun: Growing up in Las Vegas, there wasn’t a lot of recruiting for high school football. Baseball and basketball were the sports guys got recognition for. Only guy I could think of getting a scholarship offer coming out of Vegas to play Division 1 football was Former NFL and Oregon State alum running back Steven Jackson. I remember losing a playoff game my senior year in high school. I woke up Saturday morning, turned on the TV, and Boise state was playing in the Humanitarian Bowl against Iowa State. Watching them play on TV excited me to take my recruiting trip and visit the school. To be honest, I just felt really comfortable on my recruiting trip with the coaches, players, and the great people in the city of Boise. I called my best friend that weekend of my visit to Boise and told him I was going to commit. He was on his visit to the University of Oregon the same weekend and told me he was going to commit to the Oregon Ducks. One of the best decisions I ever made.

Zach: You played for both Dan Hawkins and Coach Pete. How did they differ? What made them such great coaches?

Rashaun: Coach Hawk and Coach Pete are both great coaches to play for, and both are really genuine people. Only thing I can think that was really different between the two is Coach Hawk is a philosophical type of guy and Pete is a very detailed individual. I think they both have had a lot of success because of who they are as people and the ability to find guys who are about doing things right on and off the field. The whole blue collar mentality at Boise State prepared us players for life after football. The coaching staff they had helped as well. Having great assistant coaches played a major role with the success of the program also.

Zach: When did you start to realize that you were part of something special? What made those teams unique?

Rashaun: I graduated high school and left for Boise the next day for summer training. The first day I got there, I took my physical, and the next day I got to workout with the team. That first week of training was very difficult. The guys on that team would workout after all workouts were finished. Then they would come back at night on the field and put more work in. After seeing that type of dedication, I knew I was a part of something special and around people who were going to do great in life. The close team chemistry and the good guys we had in that locker room is what made those teams unique.

Zach: Take us back to the Fiesta Bowl. What memories do you have from that game? Do people still ask you about it today?

Rashaun: This may be funny to some guys on the team who read this part. The first memory I have about playing in the Fiesta Bowl was playing on kickoff return in the the first quarter of the game. Kick returner Quinton Jones and myself were getting ready to return the kickoff. Q. Jones said to me, “Six (my team nickname), do you see those guys on their kickoff team?” I replied, “YES”. Then Q. Jones responded back with, “Those guys are huge; if you get the ball you better have your track wheels on, because I’m not blocking a soul.” At the time, it wasn’t funny but something we guys laugh about still today. People I know personally still bring up that game in conversation, or if somebody finds out that I played at Boise State they will also bring up the Fiesta Bowl.

Zach: You played a major role on special teams. What was your approach to that aspect of the game?

Rashaun: I was trying to find any way possible to get on the field and contribute to the winning culture. My approach was very much like everyone else on the team. Come to practice everyday with our work boots on, practice at a high tempo, focus on getting better, and don’t be content with the role itself. Special teams was a special thing to be a part of at Boise. Guys would almost fight in the locker room over who was going to start on kickoff; that tells you how serious special teams there is. Special teams was electric, and I took it seriously. Guys like Austin Smith, Ia Falo motivated me everyday to go out there and make a name for myself along with them on special teams.

Zach: How did you guys approach practice? How did you guys push each other to improve?

Rashaun: I learned how to approach practice as a freshmen from the older guys. Those guys got things done, and they did it with persistence and consistency. The mentality was always to get better and focus on the small details. If anyone was slacking during practice, veteran guys on the team would let you know very fast. Going half-a** wasn’t apart of the culture or standards.

Zach: What is some advice you have for young football players?

Rashaun Just keep working harder than hard working. Stay away from the cool crowd and treat themselves and people well in life.

Zach: Do you still follow the program? If so, what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Is there a player you are keeping your eye on?

Rashaun: Yes, I still keep up with the program. I’m looking forward to see who the new QB will be. I’m sure my expectations are the same as all the other late Broncos, which is the team coming out and playing Boise State football.

Zach: Bronco Nation would love to know how life is treating you. What are you up to these days?

Rashaun: I’m well, now married and have a two year old daughter with another baby on the way. The past six years I’ve owned a juice bar called Juice Me Cafe and a counselor in mental health. I’m currently finishing up my credential in educational counseling and going on my fourth year coaching high school football at Upland High School. The school I coach at is a well known football program in Southern California. When it’s recruiting season, I get to see current Boise State coaches, old teammates who are now coaching college ball, and other coaches from the Boise program who are at other schools all the time. It’s great sending my high school player to play with coaches who have coached me in college and that I have played with.

Zach: Any parting words for Bronco Nation?

Rashaun: We have the best fans in the world. Thank you all for the support and love over the years. Keep Bleeding Blue, and let’s continue to give opponents that “Blue Carpet Treatment” on game days.

Thanks again to Rashaun Scott for taking the time to sit down and talk to us. Stay tuned for next week’s edition of “Blast From the Bronco Past.”