Scott Haney, a former baseball coach at Payson High School and Salem Hills High School in Utah County, got to spin the wheel this past Presidents Day on “Wheel of Fortune.”
Haney — who’s had a nearly 40-year baseball coaching career and has earned the distinction of being in the top three winningest high school baseball coaches in Utah, per the Utah High School Activities Association sports record book — had spent more than 20 years trying to land a spot on “Survivor.”
But a different kind of game show opportunity eventually came his way.
Applying for ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Haney originally thought he had missed his chance on “Wheel of Fortune” because of baseball commitments.
After submitting an application video and completing a Zoom interview with producers, Haney was originally selected to film in April. There was just one problem: His baseball team was scheduled to compete against region foe Springville.
“Man, I can’t do that,” Haney said. “I just thought I was done (with my chances to be on the show), especially because they wanted me for Teacher Week.”
Haney applied again and was soon contacted by producers, who told him they still wanted him on the show.
“Hey, you don’t need to do a Zoom call, we still want you,” Haney recalled being told.
He was rescheduled to film at the end of September.
Utahn Scott Haney competes on ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Haney promised not to reveal any results until after the episode aired — something difficult to sit on. The only person who knew how he performed was his wife, Pam. Everyone else had to wait for the broadcast.
The wait was worth it. About 40 family members gathered for a watch party reacting with cheers as Haney quickly solved the first puzzle, and eventually made it to the bonus round.
The experience was unlike anything Haney had encountered. It’s not every day someone gets pampered for television or interacts with host Ryan Seacrest and co-host Vanna White.
Haney also formed friendships during filming, including with fellow contestant Juwan Washington.
Haney and Washington watched the other episodes filmed before it was their turn. The two talked strategy and got to know each other, Haney said.
“Him and I are really tight now,” he said. “Juwan and I talked the whole day, because we knew we were gonna be playing against each other.”
Haney recalled a moment on the show when the puzzle became quite clear, but Washington couldn’t figure it out. Haney followed and solved the puzzle, which was “school of rock-paper-scissors.”
Washington told Haney that his family wouldn’t let him live it down — they wouldn’t stop asking him if he wanted to play Rock, Paper, Scissors.
The retired coach, who spent 39 years in baseball, finished with $26,428, topping the other two contestants, who combined for $7,100. Haney also won a Caribbean cruise.
His daily Wordle and crossword habits seem to have paid off.
The Bonus Round proved to be more challenging. After receiving only one additional letter beyond the standard RSTLNE, Haney was unable to solve the puzzle, “delicious fondue,” only seeing _EL_C___S - __N__E.
What’s next for Scott Haney after ‘Wheel of Fortune’
More game shows could be in Haney’s future. He applied to Netflix’s “Squid Game: The Challenge” and finished in the top 600 applicants out of roughly 200,000, competing for 456 spots. He also sought out game shows like the “Million Dollar Secret” and “99 to Beat.” He says it’s a hobby to make videos and apply for game shows and hopes to participate in more.
Since stepping away from coaching at Salem Hills, Haney has kept busy working for Pathway Baseball, helping high school players receive college exposure. Last Friday, he was also hired to join the Utah State Eastern baseball staff.
Lottie Elizabeth Johnson contributed to this article.