New offensive coordinator Doug Rouse to call plays for Bearkat football

Former Western Illinois offensive coordinator, Doug Ruse, joined the Sam Houston State University family last February and is ready to test his new offensive strategies against the Incarnate Word at Bowers Stadium this Saturday.

With the team philosophy of controlling the football, Ruse has developed an offensive attack with a new passing game to help continue to produce high scoring games compared to last year’s season.

"If you were to compare the playbook from this year to last year there’d be significant changes," Ruse said.

With the success of the running offense producing 2,520 yards during the regular season, Ruse has expanded the passing game to have a more flexible Bearkat offense.

"I think we’ll have a little more versatility in the passing game," Ruse said.

Ruse also oversees the quarterbacks, and has worked to enhance the passing game. With four quarterbacks including returning starter Brian Bell, redshirt freshman Chris Grett as well as two incoming freshmen, Ruse has strong leadership under the center.

"I’ve never had four (quarterbacks) that I’ve felt comfortable with and confident with and go in there to play with," Ruse said. "We got an amazing group."

For the upcoming season Ruse said he plans to continue with the winning tradition the Bearkats have developed.

"Last year was great team football," Ruse said. "One of the basis our team philosophy is we’re going to be great running the ball offensively…when all is said and done, we’ll have the capability to run it and throw it."

Ruse has been a football coach for 24 years, before coming to SHSU last February Ruse spend a year and a half at Western Illinois as their offensive coordinator. He began his career playing at Northwest Missouri State University before becoming their offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.

After the 1993 season, Ruse traveled to Louisiana to become Northwestern State University offensive coordinator for five years. Ruse left Northwestern in 2001 and joined Arkansas State University at Jonesboro as their offensive coordinator.